Russell Investments Group Ltd. Has $193.05 Million Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 3.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,089,660 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 92,244 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd.’s holdings in Kroger were worth $193,052,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Kroger by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 77,169,425 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,821,546,000 after buying an additional 868,529 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of Kroger by 61.1% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 33,367,551 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,249,307,000 after buying an additional 12,652,261 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Kroger by 1.2% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 31,948,112 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,153,622,000 after buying an additional 386,503 shares during the period. GQG Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Kroger by 11.3% during the fourth quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 13,398,072 shares of the company’s stock worth $837,113,000 after buying an additional 1,360,946 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of Kroger by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 12,242,401 shares of the company’s stock valued at $764,932,000 after acquiring an additional 122,606 shares in the last quarter. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kroger Price Performance

NYSE:KR opened at $64.00 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $66.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $66.51. The firm 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 Kroger Co. has a 12-month low of $58.60 and a 12-month high of $76.58.

Key Headlines Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts say Kroger is already “investing aggressively” in price cuts, which could help the grocer compete better for inflation-conscious shoppers and support sales volume. Kroger already ‘investing aggressively’ in price cuts despite inflation, analyst says
• Positive Sentiment: Options traders are positioning bullishly ahead of earnings, suggesting some investors expect a favorable report or guidance update. Options Bulls Target Kroger Stock Before Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple previews say Kroger’s upcoming quarterly results are likely to come in roughly in line with expectations, with outlook guidance a key focus for investors. Kroger Likely to Report In-Line First-Quarter Results, Maintain Outlook, Oppenheimer Says Kroger Earnings: What To Look For From KR
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger is rolling out digital price tags in some stores, which could improve pricing efficiency but has also drawn shopper attention and controversy rather than a clear immediate financial impact. Shop at Kroger in Columbus? Be ready for new digital price tags Kroger is doubling down on a controversial price tag technology, including in Oregon
• Neutral Sentiment: Harris Teeter, a Kroger-owned banner, is facing renewed pressure from animal-welfare advocates over delayed cage-free egg sourcing, creating reputational noise but not an immediate earnings catalyst. Kroger-Owned Premium Grocer, Harris Teeter, Faces National Pressure and Public Accountability Campaign Over Delayed Cage-Free Egg Sourcing

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on KR shares. Erste Group Bank cut Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Wells Fargo & Company cut Kroger from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and reduced their price target for the company from $70.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $80.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on Kroger from $68.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $74.67.

Kroger Company 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.