The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) Stock Has Average Price Target of $70.35 According to Brokerages

Shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-one analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $70.35.

Several analysts have commented on KR shares. Citigroup reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $57.00 price objective (down from $61.00) on shares of Kroger in a research report on Tuesday, September 1st. UBS Group set a $66.00 target price on shares of Kroger and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and set a $70.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, October 21st. BNP Paribas Exane raised shares of Kroger from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $72.00 price target on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 7th. Finally, Roth Capital reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $73.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, September 14th.

Kroger Price Performance

KR opened at $68.58 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.59, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.31. The company has a market capitalization of $40.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.36. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $62.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $63.78. Kroger has a 1 year low of $54.15 and a 1 year high of $76.58.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, September 11th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.04. Kroger had a net margin of 0.73% and a return on equity of 49.90%. The business had revenue of $34.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $34.64 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.04 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Kroger will post 5.20 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 16th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 16th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 84.78%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Kroger news, EVP Mary Adcock sold 72,901 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.70, for a total transaction of $4,425,090.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 175,233 shares in the company, valued at $10,636,643.10. This trade represents a 29.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.41% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. North Point Portfolio Managers Corp OH purchased a new position in Kroger during the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kroger during the first quarter valued at about $31,000. GK Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kroger during the third quarter valued at about $33,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Kroger by 979.6% in the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 583 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 529 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fiduciary Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger in the second quarter worth about $39,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Kroger News

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks identified Kroger as a top-ranked value stock, which may attract investors seeking reasonably valued shares; the article does not provide a new earnings or business catalyst. Kroger is a Top-Ranked Value Stock: Should You Buy?
• Positive Sentiment: Wall Street Zen raised its rating on Kroger to Buy, adding another favorable analyst signal, though the article details were limited. Kroger Stock Rating Raised to Buy at Wall Street Zen
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger is promoting Thanksgiving meal shortcuts and distinctive food options. Seasonal merchandising could support holiday shopping, but no sales or profit impact was reported. Kroger offers shortcuts and curveballs for Thanksgiving tables
• Neutral Sentiment: A 10% Veterans Day discount for veterans and military families is a customer promotion; its financial effect is unclear. Kroger offers 10% Veterans Day discount
• Negative Sentiment: A report highlighted Kroger’s persistent price premium versus Walmart, citing a Consumer Reports estimate of 14.8%. That gap could make it harder to compete for price-sensitive shoppers and may pressure market share. Kroger and Albertsons’ CEOs Just Signaled the Walmart Price Gap Is Here to Stay

About Kroger

The Kroger Co. is a U.S. grocery retailer founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1883 by Bernard Kroger. It operates supermarkets and other grocery formats across the United States under banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, and Smith’s. Alongside groceries and household essentials, Kroger stores offer services such as pharmacies and fuel centers. The company also sells products under its own private-label brands and produces many of those items through its food manufacturing operations.