FY2028 EPS Estimates for Kroger Lifted by Erste Group Bank

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) – Stock analysts at Erste Group Bank boosted their FY2028 earnings estimates for shares of Kroger in a report issued on Friday, May 15th. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $5.63 for the year, up from their prior forecast of $5.62. Erste Group Bank currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Kroger’s current full-year earnings is $5.24 per share.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on KR. Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of Kroger from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and cut their price target for the company from $70.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, March 27th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Kroger from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, April 4th. Barclays reissued a “positive” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Kroger from $68.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $74.87.

Kroger Stock Up 3.4%

Shares of Kroger stock opened at $70.64 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.42. Kroger has a 1 year low of $58.60 and a 1 year high of $76.58. The business has a 50-day moving average of $69.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $66.67. The company has a market capitalization of $43.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 0.46.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 5th. The company reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.08. Kroger had a net margin of 0.69% and a return on equity of 41.08%. The company had revenue of $34.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $35.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.14 EPS. Kroger’s revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be given a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. Kroger’s payout ratio is presently 91.50%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kroger

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. lifted its position in Kroger by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 3,537 shares of the company’s stock worth $221,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the period. PFG Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Kroger by 3.3% in the first quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 4,899 shares of the company’s stock worth $354,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Kroger by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 10,747 shares of the company’s stock worth $674,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. WPG Advisers LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Kroger by 16.8% in the third quarter. WPG Advisers LLC now owns 1,160 shares of the company’s stock worth $78,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stephens Inc. AR lifted its holdings in shares of Kroger by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 17,995 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,124,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

More Kroger News

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger was included in the 2026 Axios Harris Poll 100, highlighting its strong visibility and trust with consumers, which can reinforce the stock’s defensive appeal. Axios Harris Poll Names Kroger One of America’s Most Visible and Trusted Companies
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger continues to promote traffic-driving initiatives like Memorial Day savings and a 4X Fuel Points event, supporting near-term customer engagement and store visits. Kroger Helps Customers Celebrate Memorial Day with Savings on Grilling Favorites and 4X Fuel Points Event
• Positive Sentiment: Juni expanded across Kroger family banners and surpassed 8,000 retail doors, indicating continued partner expansion and shelf presence across Kroger’s network. Juni Surpasses 8,000 Retail Doors, Expands Across Kroger Family Banners
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles about digital coupons, grocery savings, and Kroger-branded holiday shopping reflect ongoing consumer interest, but do not appear to change the company’s fundamentals on their own.
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger was mentioned in a salmonella-related snack food recall article, which could create a small overhang if consumers associate the issue with product safety at the retailer. Kroger gets swept up in the growing wave of Salmonella snack food recalls
• Negative Sentiment: A report on another Kroger executive departure may raise questions about leadership turnover, though the impact looks limited unless more exits follow. Another Kroger executive departs

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.