Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd cut its position in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) by 14.4% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 180,505 shares of the company’s stock after selling 30,351 shares during the period. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd’s holdings in Kroger were worth $11,278,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. WESPAC Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Kroger by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. WESPAC Advisors LLC now owns 13,585 shares of the company’s stock valued at $916,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. WPG Advisers LLC boosted its stake in Kroger by 16.8% in the 3rd quarter. WPG Advisers LLC now owns 1,160 shares of the company’s stock valued at $78,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Community Bank & Trust Waco Texas boosted its stake in Kroger by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Community Bank & Trust Waco Texas now owns 18,846 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,270,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the period. HUB Investment Partners LLC boosted its stake in Kroger by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC now owns 6,568 shares of the company’s stock valued at $471,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. Finally, Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI boosted its stake in Kroger by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI now owns 15,756 shares of the company’s stock valued at $984,000 after purchasing an additional 195 shares during the period. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Kroger Stock Performance
NYSE:KR opened at $64.63 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $70.12 and a 200-day moving average price of $66.67. The company has a market cap of $39.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.24, a PEG ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.80. The Kroger Co. has a fifty-two week low of $58.60 and a fifty-two week high of $76.58.
Kroger Announces Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be given a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio is currently 91.50%.
Analyst Ratings Changes
Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $82.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and issued a $78.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Morgan Stanley set a $73.00 price target on Kroger and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Erste Group Bank downgraded Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Finally, Roth Mkm reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $78.00 target price (up from $75.00) on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $74.56.
Read Our Latest Stock Report on KR
Key Headlines Impacting Kroger
Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Higher grocery inflation in April could support Kroger’s pricing power and help offset some cost pressures, which may be constructive for margins if consumers keep absorbing higher food prices. US Inflation Accelerates to 3.8% in April as Energy and Grocery Prices Surge
- Neutral Sentiment: News that Kroger completed a $1.4 million store renovation in Cedar Springs and launched an exclusive 7UP Mandarin Orange product reflects ongoing merchandising and store-investment activity, but these items are unlikely to move the stock meaningfully on their own. Kroger completes $1.4M Cedar Springs store upgrade Kroger adds exclusive new Coca-Cola rival soda
- Neutral Sentiment: Recent commentary highlighting Kroger’s “robust margin” performance and income-investor appeal points to continued confidence in the business, but it does not appear to be based on a fresh operating update. Robust Margin Boosted The Kroger Company (KR) Performance Robust Margin Boosted The Kroger Company (KR) Performance Should Income Investors Look At The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) Before Its Ex-Dividend?
- Negative Sentiment: Kroger shares also weakened in the prior session as the market improved, suggesting some investor caution or profit-taking after the recent run. Kroger (KR) Stock Declines While Market Improves: Some Information for Investors
- Negative Sentiment: Broader concerns about grocery-sector competition, lawsuits, and pressure on Albertsons may also remind investors that the supermarket industry remains highly competitive and low-margin. Albertsons’ sales dip in this area sparks concern
Kroger Company Profile
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.
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