SGL Investment Advisors Inc. Purchases Shares of 48,943 The Kroger Co. $KR

SGL Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 48,943 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,764,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in KR. Brighton Jones LLC raised its position in Kroger by 27.3% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,733 shares of the company’s stock valued at $962,000 after buying an additional 3,373 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP increased its stake in shares of Kroger by 40.7% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 56,243 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,807,000 after purchasing an additional 16,270 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kroger during the 2nd quarter valued at $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Kroger by 11.5% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,288 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,978,000 after purchasing an additional 10,051 shares during the period. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kroger in the second quarter valued at $1,840,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Kroger Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of Kroger stock opened at $56.37 on Friday. The Kroger Co. has a 12-month low of $54.15 and a 12-month high of $76.58. The company has a market cap of $34.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.16, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.43. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $58.02 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $64.76. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.59 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. The business’s revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.49 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 EPS for the current year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.39 per share. This is a positive change from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. Kroger’s payout ratio is 91.76%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have weighed in on KR. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $80.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd. Citigroup cut their target price on Kroger from $71.00 to $61.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $72.00.

Key Kroger News

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Bitcoin gift-card expansion: Kroger is rolling out its Fold Bitcoin Gift Card nationwide after a successful seasonal pilot. The initiative could attract new customers and generate incremental engagement, although the financial impact is likely limited initially. Kroger Expands Fold Bitcoin Gift Card Offering After Successful Pilot
• Positive Sentiment: Potentially attractive shareholder returns: Coverage highlights Kroger’s dividend and describes the shares as reasonably valued following recent weakness. Analysts’ average rating remains equivalent to a Buy, which may provide some support for the stock. Kroger Stock Looks Reasonable
• Positive Sentiment: E-commerce leadership change: The appointment of Nate Faust to lead Kroger’s e-commerce operations is viewed as a possible catalyst for improved efficiency and digital execution. Kroger Stock Looks Reasonable
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger is investing in remodeled stores, while also participating in food-bank and community initiatives. These developments may support customer loyalty and local brand perception but are unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Kroger to Unveil Remodeled Store
• Negative Sentiment: Store closures and traffic concerns: Reports that Kroger plans to close 60 stores in 2026, alongside polling indicating traffic weakness, reinforce concerns about sales momentum and the company’s retail footprint. Kroger to Shutter 60 Stores Kroger Traffic Woes Reflect the Market
• Negative Sentiment: Legal and product risks: Kroger faces a proposed $17 million settlement involving Dillons pharmacy customers, while a separate disability-discrimination case was settled for $75,000. A jalapeño-related salmonella recall involving products sold at Kroger also creates reputational and potential liability risk, though the $75,000 payment is financially immaterial. Proposed Kroger Settlement Jalapeño Salmonella Recall

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.