Kroger (NYSE:KR) Stock Price Up 4.8% – Here’s What Happened

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR)’s stock price traded up 4.8% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $71.71 and last traded at $71.5660. 2,023,608 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 67% from the average session volume of 6,223,002 shares. The stock had previously closed at $68.32.

Key Headlines Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Negative Sentiment: Kroger said it is preparing to cut prices on thousands of items under new CEO Greg Foran, a move aimed at winning back shoppers from Walmart, Costco and Aldi. While the strategy could help traffic and market share, investors appear worried the bigger discounting push could weigh on near-term profitability. Article
• Negative Sentiment: Several reports echoed the same theme, saying Kroger plans its biggest price cuts in years to compete more aggressively on groceries. That reinforces concerns that earnings could face pressure if promotions intensify. Article
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger also faces a product recall after garlic cheese croutons sold in 17 states were pulled over salmonella concerns. Recalls can create a modest reputational drag and add operational noise. Article
• Neutral Sentiment: The company announced it will host its first-quarter 2026 earnings conference call on June 18. This is a routine update, but it signals that investors are now positioning ahead of the next earnings catalyst. Article

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays reissued a “positive” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Morgan Stanley set a $73.00 target price on shares of Kroger and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Telsey Advisory Group increased their target price on shares of Kroger from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Kroger from $68.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Finally, Wolfe Research restated an “outperform” rating and set a $75.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $74.87.

Kroger Stock Down 2.3%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $41.10 billion, a PE ratio of 43.85, a PEG ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 0.46. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $69.76 and its 200-day simple moving average is $66.70.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, March 5th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $34.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $35.10 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.69% and a return on equity of 41.08%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.14 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that The Kroger Co. will post 5.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 91.50%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kroger

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its stake in shares of Kroger by 27.3% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,733 shares of the company’s stock valued at $962,000 after purchasing an additional 3,373 shares in the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP boosted 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 valued at $3,807,000 after purchasing an additional 16,270 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in Kroger in the second quarter worth $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Kroger by 11.5% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,288 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,978,000 after buying an additional 10,051 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC bought a new position in shares of Kroger in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,840,000. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

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.