Johnson Financial Group Inc. Makes New $649,000 Investment in The Kroger Co. $KR

Johnson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 11,688 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $649,000.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of KR. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Kroger in the second quarter worth about $1,126,000. West Family Investments Inc. bought a new position in Kroger during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $574,000. Tacita Capital Inc bought a new position in Kroger during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $42,000. Palmer Knight Co purchased a new position in Kroger in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $5,698,000. Finally, Great Lakes Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Kroger in the second quarter valued at approximately $743,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Kroger Trading Down 0.0%

NYSE KR opened at $56.34 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $34.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.43. The Kroger Co. has a fifty-two week low of $54.15 and a fifty-two week high of $76.58. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $58.17 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $64.81. 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 earnings results on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.59 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. Kroger’s quarterly revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.49 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a $0.39 dividend. 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%. This is a positive change from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio is 91.76%.

Kroger News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is expanding and refreshing its retail footprint, including new Marketplace locations in metro Atlanta and a remodeled Worthington, Ohio, store. The investments could improve customer experience, sales productivity and local market competitiveness. Kroger opens new Marketplace locations in metro Atlanta
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst commentary remains broadly constructive: Kroger’s average brokerage recommendation is equivalent to a Buy, while recent analysis describes the shares as reasonably valued after their decline. The appointment of Nate Faust to lead e-commerce could support better digital execution and efficiency over time. Kroger stock looks reasonable as e-commerce leadership changes start
• Positive Sentiment: The nationwide rollout of Fold Bitcoin Gift Cards gives Kroger a new payments and rewards-related offering, although the near-term financial impact is likely limited. Kroger rolls out Fold Bitcoin Gift Card program nationwide
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger plans to close 60 U.S. stores in 2026. Management may be using the closures to eliminate underperforming locations and improve profitability, but the scale of the reductions raises concerns about sales, market share and restructuring costs. Kroger closing 60 stores in 2026
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that Kroger’s customer traffic is declining suggest shoppers may be cutting back or shifting business to competitors. Persistent traffic weakness could pressure identical-store sales and margins. Kroger’s traffic woes reflect the market
• Negative Sentiment: A recall involving jalapeño products sold at Kroger and other retailers creates food-safety and reputational risk, though the incident also affects competitors. Products recalled over jalapeño salmonella outbreak
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger agreed to pay $75,000 to settle an EEOC disability-discrimination and retaliation lawsuit. The financial cost is small, but the case adds legal, compliance and reputational pressure. Kroger to pay $75,000 in EEOC lawsuit

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $78.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, June 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, June 1st. Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and issued a $71.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Kroger presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $72.00.

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.