Kroger (NYSE:KR) Trading 4.8% Higher – Here’s What Happened

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR)’s share price traded up 4.8% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $71.71 and last traded at $71.5660. 2,023,608 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 67% from the average session volume of 6,223,002 shares. The stock had previously closed at $68.32.

Kroger News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger was named one of America’s most visible and trusted companies in the 2026 Axios Harris Poll 100, which can reinforce brand strength and consumer confidence around the grocery chain. Axios Harris Poll Names Kroger One of America’s Most Visible and Trusted Companies
• Positive Sentiment: Trading activity suggests investors are rotating into defensive names like Kroger ahead of upcoming catalysts, including its next earnings report, while income-focused buyers may also be supported by the company’s dividend schedule. Kroger (KR) jumps as investors rotate into defensives ahead of upcoming catalysts
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is promoting Memorial Day savings and a 4X Fuel Points event, which may help drive traffic and basket size around the holiday weekend. Kroger Helps Customers Celebrate Memorial Day with Savings on Grilling Favorites and 4X Fuel Points Event
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple recent articles highlighted Kroger’s role in local promotions, sports sponsorships, and product placement, but these appear unlikely to materially affect the stock on their own.
• Negative Sentiment: The Humane League launched a national campaign pressuring Kroger to publish a roadmap to 100% cage-free eggs, adding another reputational and supply-chain policy issue for investors to watch. The Humane League Launches National Campaign Urging The Kroger Co. To Publish Roadmap To 100% Cage-Free Eggs
• Negative Sentiment: A reported executive departure adds to leadership turnover concerns under CEO Greg Foran, which can weigh on sentiment if it signals instability in the management team. Another Kroger executive departs
• Negative Sentiment: Investors also remain mindful of Kroger’s refrigeration settlement and related environmental compliance costs, which could pressure long-term cash priorities. Kroger’s Refrigeration Settlement Recasts ESG Risks And Long Term Cash Priorities

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on KR shares. Roth Mkm restated a “buy” rating and issued a $78.00 target price (up from $75.00) on shares of Kroger in a report on Friday, March 6th. Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $78.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $75.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Morgan Stanley set a $73.00 target price on shares of Kroger and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $82.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Eight 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 has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $74.56.

Kroger Stock Up 3.2%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $43.21 billion, a PE ratio of 46.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.46. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $69.93 and its 200-day moving average price is $66.64.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last released its earnings results on Thursday, March 5th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.08. Kroger had a net margin of 0.69% and a return on equity of 41.08%. The company had revenue of $34.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $35.10 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 91.50%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kroger

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new stake in Kroger in the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Kroger by 268.1% in the 4th quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares during the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Kroger in the first quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. acquired a new position in Kroger during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

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.