The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) has received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seventeen research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $74.6667.

KR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley set a $73.00 price target on Kroger and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, March 27th. Wall Street Zen raised Kroger from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, April 4th. Telsey Advisory Group upped their target price on Kroger from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on Kroger from $68.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, March 9th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kroger during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kroger during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Kroger during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Kroger by 268.1% during the 4th quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 303 shares during the period. Finally, Axiom Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Kroger in the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kroger News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is being highlighted as a defensive grocery name during geopolitical uncertainty, and some analysts still see upside despite trimming price targets, which can support investor interest ahead of earnings. Here’s Why The Kroger Co. (KR) is a Defensive Stock to Buy Amid Geopolitical Tensions
• Positive Sentiment: The company is continuing to push value-driven promotions, including expanded fuel discounts, digital shelf labels, and seasonal private-label products, which may help traffic and customer loyalty. Is Kroger’s (KR) Digital Shelf Label Push Reframing Its Technology-Led Customer Loyalty Strategy?
• Positive Sentiment: Investor attention is building around Kroger’s June 18 Q1 earnings report, with some dividend-focused coverage reinforcing the stock’s income appeal before results are released. How To Earn $500 A Month From Kroger Stock Ahead Of Q1 Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts remain mixed: JPMorgan and Erste Group both lowered estimates or targets, but kept broadly cautious/neutral stances, suggesting limited near-term conviction either way. JPMorgan price target update
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage ahead of earnings says Kroger may not have the right setup for an upside surprise, which keeps expectations tempered into the report. Kroger (KR) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger agreed to pay $1.25 million to settle California claims that its Carbmaster bread labels overstated calorie reductions, adding another food-labeling legal overhang. Kroger to pay $1.25 million after California said its Carbmaster bread labels slashed calories in half

Kroger Trading Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE:KR opened at $64.65 on Friday. Kroger has a 12-month low of $58.60 and a 12-month high of $76.58. The company has a market capitalization of $39.61 billion, a PE ratio of 42.26, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.42. The business has a 50 day moving average of $66.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of $66.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66.

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.