26,983 Shares in The Kroger Co. $KR Purchased by Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. acquired a new stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 26,983 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,498,000.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Kroger in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in Kroger in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. acquired a new stake in Kroger during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Axiom Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kroger during the first quarter worth approximately $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Nationwide grocery-and-prescription delivery: Kroger and Instacart launched a combined delivery service through Kroger’s websites and apps across nearly all major banners, including Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Harris Teeter. The service may improve convenience, encourage larger orders and strengthen Kroger’s digital ecosystem, although near-term financial benefits were not disclosed. Kroger Customers Can Shop for Groceries and Prescriptions in a Single Order
• Positive Sentiment: Store expansion and remodeling: Kroger plans new stores in Dearborn and Commerce Township, Michigan, in 2027, while also investing millions of dollars in two existing-store remodels and local programs. These projects signal continued investment in market share and the physical store base, though they will require additional capital spending. Kroger Adding New Stores in Dearborn and Commerce Township in 2027
• Positive Sentiment: Automation rollout: Kroger is introducing inventory robots, a move that could improve stock accuracy, product availability and labor efficiency. The earnings impact remains uncertain because the reports did not provide implementation costs or savings estimates. Kroger Rolls Out Inventory Robots
• Neutral Sentiment: A media comparison highlighting Kroger-branded products may reinforce the value proposition of its private-label business, but it is not a new corporate announcement and is unlikely to materially affect KR by itself. 10 Kroger Store-Brand Foods That Beat Name Brands
• Negative Sentiment: $17 million pharmacy settlement: Kroger pharmacy customers may be eligible for payments under a proposed class-action settlement alleging overcharges involving generic prescriptions and a savings program. The settlement creates a direct financial cost and adds reputational and compliance risk, although the amount is modest relative to Kroger’s sales. Kroger Must Pay $17 Million Settlement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

KR has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. Wall Street Zen cut Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, June 20th. Citigroup dropped their price target on Kroger from $71.00 to $61.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. UBS Group set a $63.00 price objective on shares of Kroger and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, HC Wainwright reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Kroger presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $72.00.

Kroger Price Performance

Kroger stock opened at $58.49 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.79. The Kroger Co. has a 52 week low of $54.15 and a 52 week high of $76.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.43. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $57.67 and a 200-day moving average of $64.63.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last released its earnings results on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $46.12 billion during 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.49 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $0.39 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. This is a positive change from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio is currently 91.76%.

Kroger 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.