Legal & General Group Plc Takes $284.50 Million Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

Legal & General Group Plc bought a new position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 5,123,374 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $284,501,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. lifted its position in shares of Kroger by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 3,537 shares of the company’s stock worth $221,000 after buying an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. PFG Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Kroger by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 4,899 shares of the company’s stock valued at $354,000 after buying an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Kroger by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 10,747 shares of the company’s stock valued at $674,000 after buying an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR raised its stake in Kroger by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 17,995 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,124,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ROI Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in Kroger by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. ROI Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8,943 shares of the company’s stock worth $647,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kroger Price Performance

Kroger stock opened at $58.49 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $57.67 and a 200-day simple moving average of $64.63. The Kroger Co. has a 12 month low of $54.15 and a 12 month high of $76.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.84 billion, a PE ratio of 34.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.43.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last announced 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). The firm had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.49 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. Equities analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. This is an increase from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio is currently 91.76%.

Kroger News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Nationwide grocery-and-prescription delivery: Kroger and Instacart launched a combined delivery service through Kroger’s websites and apps across nearly all major banners, including Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Harris Teeter. The service may improve convenience, encourage larger orders and strengthen Kroger’s digital ecosystem, although near-term financial benefits were not disclosed. Kroger Customers Can Shop for Groceries and Prescriptions in a Single Order
• Positive Sentiment: Store expansion and remodeling: Kroger plans new stores in Dearborn and Commerce Township, Michigan, in 2027, while also investing millions of dollars in two existing-store remodels and local programs. These projects signal continued investment in market share and the physical store base, though they will require additional capital spending. Kroger Adding New Stores in Dearborn and Commerce Township in 2027
• Positive Sentiment: Automation rollout: Kroger is introducing inventory robots, a move that could improve stock accuracy, product availability and labor efficiency. The earnings impact remains uncertain because the reports did not provide implementation costs or savings estimates. Kroger Rolls Out Inventory Robots
• Neutral Sentiment: A media comparison highlighting Kroger-branded products may reinforce the value proposition of its private-label business, but it is not a new corporate announcement and is unlikely to materially affect KR by itself. 10 Kroger Store-Brand Foods That Beat Name Brands
• Negative Sentiment: $17 million pharmacy settlement: Kroger pharmacy customers may be eligible for payments under a proposed class-action settlement alleging overcharges involving generic prescriptions and a savings program. The settlement creates a direct financial cost and adds reputational and compliance risk, although the amount is modest relative to Kroger’s sales. Kroger Must Pay $17 Million Settlement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on KR shares. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $80.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd. Weiss Ratings cut Kroger from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Thursday, June 18th. UBS Group set a $63.00 target price on Kroger and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Barclays set a $61.00 price target on Kroger and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $71.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Kroger presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $72.00.

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.