L2 Asset Management LLC Takes Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

L2 Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 62,716 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,483,000.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of KR. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Kroger in the first quarter worth $27,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 1st quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Kroger Price Performance

NYSE KR opened at $59.06 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $36.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.74, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $57.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $64.69. The Kroger Co. has a 1 year low of $54.15 and a 1 year high of $76.58.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last issued its quarterly 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). The firm had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The business’s revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.49 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a $0.39 dividend. This is an increase from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. Kroger’s payout ratio is currently 91.76%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently issued reports on KR shares. Guggenheim reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $71.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Erste Group Bank downgraded Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, June 22nd. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price 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. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $72.00.

Key Stories Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Automation may improve operations: Kroger is rolling out inventory robots, a move that could increase in-stock availability, reduce labor-intensive inventory work and support margins over time. Kroger rolls out inventory robots
• Positive Sentiment: Grocery and prescription delivery expansion: Kroger and Instacart launched a service allowing customers to order groceries and eligible prescriptions together through Kroger’s websites and apps. The offering is available across nearly all Kroger banners, including Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Harris Teeter, potentially increasing digital engagement, order frequency and customer retention. Kroger Customers Can Shop for Groceries and Prescriptions in a Single Order
• Positive Sentiment: Pharmacy product test: Promino secured a test of its Rejuvenate Muscle Health product in 662 Kroger pharmacies. While the financial impact on Kroger is not disclosed, the program could modestly broaden pharmacy offerings and support related customer traffic. Promino Secures 662-Store Kroger Pharmacy Test

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.