Seneca House Advisors Increases Stock Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

Seneca House Advisors grew its holdings in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 68.5% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 53,256 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 21,658 shares during the quarter. Kroger makes up 1.2% of Seneca House Advisors’ investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Seneca House Advisors’ holdings in Kroger were worth $3,327,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kroger during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Kroger by 268.1% during the fourth quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Avalon Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of Kroger during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. purchased a new position in shares of Kroger during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kroger during the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Kroger Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of Kroger stock opened at $64.00 on Wednesday. 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 Kroger Co. has a 52-week low of $58.60 and a 52-week high of $76.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.42. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $66.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $66.51.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, March 27th. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, June 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $73.00 target price on shares of Kroger and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Kroger currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $74.67.

Key Stories Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and options traders are highlighting Kroger as a potential earnings play, with expectations for higher Q1 earnings and no major surprise likely to the outlook, which can support sentiment if the company confirms steady execution. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is also being mentioned in consumer-focused promotions and expansion news, including a national retail rollout for Avaline across Kroger divisions, which suggests continued relevance as a key grocery channel for brand partners. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Additional coverage around Kroger-owned Harris Teeter’s new “Aisle Adventures” shopping experience and holiday-style promotions points to efforts to drive shopper engagement and store traffic. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Oppenheimer said Kroger’s fiscal first-quarter results should come in largely in line with expectations, which may limit the stock’s upside unless the company delivers a clear beat or stronger guidance. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: The Humane League escalated its national campaign against Kroger and Harris Teeter over delayed cage-free egg sourcing, adding reputational pressure and potentially increasing scrutiny of the company’s supply-chain commitments. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Separate consumer coverage around Kroger’s “controversial” price-tag technology and aggressive price cuts versus Walmart may raise concerns about margin pressure if the chain leans harder into price competition. Article Title

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.