Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. Takes Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund bought 15,281 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $849,000.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Kroger during the first quarter valued at about $27,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kroger in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Kroger during the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on KR shares. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and set a $71.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Kroger from $71.00 to $61.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $82.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, June 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Kroger presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $72.00.

Trending Headlines about Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Nationwide grocery-and-prescription delivery: Kroger and Instacart launched a combined delivery service through Kroger’s websites and apps across nearly all major banners, including Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Harris Teeter. The service may improve convenience, encourage larger orders and strengthen Kroger’s digital ecosystem, although near-term financial benefits were not disclosed. Kroger Customers Can Shop for Groceries and Prescriptions in a Single Order
• Positive Sentiment: Store expansion and remodeling: Kroger plans new stores in Dearborn and Commerce Township, Michigan, in 2027, while also investing millions of dollars in two existing-store remodels and local programs. These projects signal continued investment in market share and the physical store base, though they will require additional capital spending. Kroger Adding New Stores in Dearborn and Commerce Township in 2027
• Positive Sentiment: Automation rollout: Kroger is introducing inventory robots, a move that could improve stock accuracy, product availability and labor efficiency. The earnings impact remains uncertain because the reports did not provide implementation costs or savings estimates. Kroger Rolls Out Inventory Robots
• Neutral Sentiment: A media comparison highlighting Kroger-branded products may reinforce the value proposition of its private-label business, but it is not a new corporate announcement and is unlikely to materially affect KR by itself. 10 Kroger Store-Brand Foods That Beat Name Brands
• Negative Sentiment: $17 million pharmacy settlement: Kroger pharmacy customers may be eligible for payments under a proposed class-action settlement alleging overcharges involving generic prescriptions and a savings program. The settlement creates a direct financial cost and adds reputational and compliance risk, although the amount is modest relative to Kroger’s sales. Kroger Must Pay $17 Million Settlement

Kroger Stock Performance

Kroger stock opened at $58.49 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $35.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.41, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.43. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $57.67 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $64.63. The Kroger Co. has a fifty-two week low of $54.15 and a fifty-two week high of $76.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.79.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.Kroger’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.49 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $0.39 per share. This is a boost from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio is 91.76%.

About Kroger

The Kroger Co (NYSE: KR) is one of the largest supermarket operators in the United States, offering a wide range of retail grocery and related services. Founded in Cincinnati in 1883 by Bernard Kroger, the company operates a portfolio of supermarket and multi-department store banners and provides customers with fresh foods, packaged groceries, deli and bakery items, meat and seafood, produce, and prepared foods. Kroger’s stores commonly include pharmacy services and fuel centers, positioning the company as a broad-based neighborhood retail destination for everyday needs.

In addition to traditional in-store retailing, Kroger manufactures and distributes a variety of private-label brands and operates its own food production and supply-chain facilities.