Portfolio Design Labs LLC Takes $554,000 Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

Portfolio Design Labs LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 9,975 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $554,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its position in shares of Kroger by 27.3% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,733 shares of the company’s stock worth $962,000 after acquiring an additional 3,373 shares during the period. 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 worth $3,807,000 after acquiring an additional 16,270 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 2nd quarter valued at about $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position 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 acquiring an additional 10,051 shares during the period. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kroger in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,840,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Kroger News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Bitcoin gift-card expansion: Kroger is rolling out its Fold Bitcoin Gift Card nationwide after a successful seasonal pilot. The initiative could attract new customers and generate incremental engagement, although the financial impact is likely limited initially. Kroger Expands Fold Bitcoin Gift Card Offering After Successful Pilot
• Positive Sentiment: Potentially attractive shareholder returns: Coverage highlights Kroger’s dividend and describes the shares as reasonably valued following recent weakness. Analysts’ average rating remains equivalent to a Buy, which may provide some support for the stock. Kroger Stock Looks Reasonable
• Positive Sentiment: E-commerce leadership change: The appointment of Nate Faust to lead Kroger’s e-commerce operations is viewed as a possible catalyst for improved efficiency and digital execution. Kroger Stock Looks Reasonable
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger is investing in remodeled stores, while also participating in food-bank and community initiatives. These developments may support customer loyalty and local brand perception but are unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Kroger to Unveil Remodeled Store
• Negative Sentiment: Store closures and traffic concerns: Reports that Kroger plans to close 60 stores in 2026, alongside polling indicating traffic weakness, reinforce concerns about sales momentum and the company’s retail footprint. Kroger to Shutter 60 Stores Kroger Traffic Woes Reflect the Market
• Negative Sentiment: Legal and product risks: Kroger faces a proposed $17 million settlement involving Dillons pharmacy customers, while a separate disability-discrimination case was settled for $75,000. A jalapeño-related salmonella recall involving products sold at Kroger also creates reputational and potential liability risk, though the $75,000 payment is financially immaterial. Proposed Kroger Settlement Jalapeño Salmonella Recall

Kroger Stock Up 0.2%

KR opened at $56.37 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $34.54 billion, a PE ratio of 33.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.43. The Kroger Co. has a twelve month low of $54.15 and a twelve month high of $76.58. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $58.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $64.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.59 by ($0.01). Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The firm had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.49 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. This is a boost from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 91.76%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently weighed in on KR. 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 report on Thursday, June 11th. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Weiss Ratings downgraded Kroger from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Thursday, June 18th. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $78.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Erste Group Bank cut shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $72.00.

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.