Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. Makes New $76.63 Million Investment in The Kroger Co. $KR

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 1,380,022 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $76,633,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its position in Kroger by 27.3% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,733 shares of the company’s stock valued at $962,000 after acquiring an additional 3,373 shares in the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP grew its stake in Kroger by 40.7% in the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 56,243 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,807,000 after purchasing an additional 16,270 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in Kroger in the second quarter valued at about $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Kroger by 11.5% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,288 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,978,000 after purchasing an additional 10,051 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC bought a new position in Kroger in the second quarter worth about $1,840,000. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on KR. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $78.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, June 11th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $80.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group set a $78.00 price objective on shares of Kroger and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Kroger currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $72.00.

Key Headlines Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is opening new Marketplace locations in metro Atlanta, expanding its larger-format grocery, general merchandise and prepared-food offering. A new store is also planned for Lenoir City, Tennessee, supporting the company’s long-term growth and local market presence. Kroger opens new Marketplace locations in metro Atlanta New Kroger grocery store coming to Lenoir City
• Neutral Sentiment: Rebel Creamery, whose ice cream products are sold at Kroger and other major retailers, filed for bankruptcy while appealing a multimillion-dollar judgment. The development could affect product availability, but appears unlikely to have a material direct impact on Kroger’s finances. Ice cream brand sold at Kroger files for bankruptcy
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger reportedly plans to close 60 U.S. stores in 2026, including locations tied to its Fry’s banner. The closures may improve efficiency and profitability, but they also signal weak store economics and could reduce sales and customer reach. Kroger to Close 60 Stores
• Negative Sentiment: Reports and social-media reactions highlight declining Kroger store traffic, raising concerns about competitive pressure, consumer behavior and the company’s ability to sustain sales growth. Kroger’s declining traffic
• Negative Sentiment: A jalapeño-related salmonella recall involving products sold at Kroger and other grocers creates potential reputational, compliance and customer-trust risks, although the financial impact is not yet clear. Products recalled over jalapeño salmonella outbreak
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger’s co-branded credit card with U.S. Bank is reportedly being discontinued, including changes to gas-discount benefits. Ending the program may frustrate shoppers and weaken loyalty incentives. Kroger’s credit card is going away

Kroger Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of NYSE:KR opened at $56.39 on Wednesday. The Kroger Co. has a 52-week low of $54.15 and a 52-week high of $76.58. The stock has a market cap of $34.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.17, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $58.34 and a 200-day moving average price of $64.84.

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

Kroger Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. This is an increase 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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. Kroger’s payout ratio is currently 91.76%.

Kroger 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.