Insider Selling: Kroger (NYSE:KR) EVP Sells $4,425,090.70 in Stock

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) EVP Mary Adcock sold 72,901 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 175,233 shares in the company, valued at $10,636,643.10. This represents a 29.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link.

Kroger Stock Down 1.6%

Shares of NYSE:KR opened at $57.62 on Thursday. The Kroger Co. has a 52-week low of $54.15 and a 52-week high of $76.58. The company has a market capitalization of $34.03 billion, a PE ratio of 31.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.59, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 0.70. The company has a fifty day moving average of $57.99 and a 200-day moving average of $63.14.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, September 11th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $34.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.64 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 49.90% and a net margin of 0.73%.Kroger’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.04 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 16th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 84.78%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $82.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, June 19th. Roth Capital restated a “buy” rating and issued a $73.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, September 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, June 20th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, June 1st. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Kroger has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $69.00.

Key Kroger News

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger outlined an artificial-intelligence strategy focused on personalization, operational efficiency and connecting digital and physical shopping. Management said proprietary AI models, customer insights and retail data are already producing measurable benefits, which could support sales growth, loyalty and productivity over time. Kroger AI strategy announcement
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst commentary identified Kroger as a potential beneficiary of omnichannel shopping, loyalty programs, private-label products, retail media and automation. These initiatives may help offset labor and cost pressures. Supermarket stocks and omnichannel growth
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger is ending its rewards credit card program. The change could simplify the loyalty offering, but it may also temporarily disrupt customers and reduce some financial-services revenue. Kroger rewards credit card program ending
• Neutral Sentiment: Community donations, hunger-relief fundraising and wellness events enhance Kroger’s local reputation but are unlikely to materially affect near-term financial results. Kroger food assistance donation
• Negative Sentiment: Renewed reports accuse some Ohio stores of pricing inaccuracies or customer overcharging. Any regulatory action, refunds or damage to consumer trust could pressure margins and complicate Kroger’s value proposition. Questions over Kroger pricing accuracy
• Negative Sentiment: Activists protested at Kroger’s Cincinnati headquarters, with police reporting multiple arrests. The demonstrations add reputational and employee-relations risk. Protesters arrested at Kroger headquarters
• Negative Sentiment: EVP Mary Ellen Adcock sold 72,901 shares worth approximately $4.4 million, reducing her ownership by about 29%. Although insider sales can reflect personal financial planning, the transaction may weigh on sentiment. Kroger executive share sale

Institutional Trading of Kroger

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Kroger in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,016,956,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Kroger by 0.4% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 12,296,026 shares of the company’s stock worth $889,878,000 after buying an additional 53,625 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Kroger during the fourth quarter worth $470,561,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in Kroger by 17.0% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,041,028 shares of the company’s stock worth $437,129,000 after buying an additional 876,168 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new position in Kroger in the second quarter valued at $284,501,000. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Kroger Company Profile

The Kroger Co (NYSE: KR) is one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States. Founded in Cincinnati in 1883 by Bernard Kroger, the company operates supermarkets, multi-department stores, pharmacies, convenience stores and fuel centers across the country.

Kroger sells a broad range of fresh foods, packaged groceries, household products, health and beauty items, prepared foods and general merchandise. Its private-label offerings include Simple Truth, Private Selection and Kroger brands.