The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) Stock Has Consensus Target Price of $69.00 According to Analysts

Shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nineteen ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $69.00.

Several research firms have recently weighed in on KR. Roth Capital reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $73.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, September 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Wall Street Zen cut Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, June 20th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $68.00 target price on Kroger in a research report on Wednesday, September 9th.

Kroger Stock Performance

NYSE KR opened at $58.88 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $34.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.41. Kroger has a twelve month low of $54.15 and a twelve month high of $76.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.59. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $57.99 and a 200-day moving average price of $63.03.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, September 11th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.04. Kroger had a return on equity of 49.90% and a net margin of 0.73%.The firm had revenue of $34.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $34.64 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.04 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 2.0% 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 Kroger will post 5.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 16th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 16th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 84.78%.

Trending Headlines about Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is testing a return to 24-hour operations at select stores in Ohio and Indiana. Longer shopping hours could improve convenience, increase sales and better utilize existing locations, although added labor and security costs could limit the benefit. Kroger tests return to 24-hour stores
• Positive Sentiment: Industry commentary identifies Kroger as a beneficiary of omnichannel growth, loyalty programs, private-label products, retail media and automation. These initiatives could support customer retention and profitability as supermarkets face persistent cost pressure. 3 Supermarket Stocks Set to Benefit From Omnichannel and Loyalty Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is expanding its use of AI to connect digital and physical shopping, improve personalization and give store associates more flexibility. The strategy could raise productivity and strengthen the customer experience over time. Kroger’s AI focus is on flexibility and control
• Positive Sentiment: New Dunkin’ kiosks planned for Houston-area Kroger stores and the launch of a credit card with elevated rewards could increase store traffic, loyalty and ancillary revenue. Kroger to open new Dunkin kiosks
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports that Kroger is ending an existing rewards credit-card program while introducing a new card suggest a transition rather than a clear change in financial outlook. Execution and customer retention will determine the impact. Kroger is ending its rewards credit card program
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger’s dividend yield is substantially higher than Walmart’s, but analysts warn that the larger payout may be less durable if margins, consumer habits or cash flow weaken. Walmart and Kroger compete for the same shopper
• Negative Sentiment: Animal-rights protesters were arrested at Kroger’s Cincinnati headquarters over cage-raised eggs. The demonstrations are unlikely to immediately affect earnings but could create reputational pressure and renewed scrutiny of Kroger’s sourcing policies. Nine foes of cage-raised eggs arrested at Kroger headquarters
• Negative Sentiment: Renewed questions about pricing accuracy and a report of an insider selling 72,901 shares add modest governance and execution concerns, though neither appears large enough by itself to materially change Kroger’s valuation. Kroger faces renewed questions over grocery pricing accuracy

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Mary Adcock sold 72,901 shares of Kroger 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 175,233 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,636,643.10. The trade was a 29.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.41% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Kroger in the first quarter valued at $27,000. MV Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Kroger during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Kroger during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Kroger in the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. acquired a new stake in Kroger in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.