ProShare Advisors LLC Purchases 8,927 Shares of The Kroger Co. $KR

ProShare Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 7.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 136,251 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 8,927 shares during the quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC’s holdings in Kroger were worth $8,513,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new stake in Kroger during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Kroger by 268.1% during the fourth quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 303 shares during the last quarter. Avalon Trust Co bought a new stake in Kroger during the third quarter valued at $29,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Kroger during the third quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Kroger by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 490 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Kroger Trading Down 2.3%

KR opened at $67.09 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The Kroger Co. has a fifty-two week low of $58.60 and a fifty-two week high of $76.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $41.10 billion, a PE ratio of 43.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.46. The company’s 50-day moving average is $69.65 and its 200 day moving average is $66.72.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, March 5th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $35.10 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.14 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio is currently 91.50%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

KR has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating and set a $78.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Erste Group Bank cut shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Morgan Stanley set a $73.00 price objective on shares of Kroger and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Roth Mkm reissued a “buy” rating and set a $78.00 price objective (up from $75.00) on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Finally, Wolfe Research reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $75.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $74.87.

Kroger News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger said it will host its first-quarter 2026 earnings conference call on June 18, giving investors a clear near-term catalyst to watch for sales trends, margin commentary, and updated guidance. Kroger Announces First Quarter Conference Call with Investors
• Neutral Sentiment: Higher gas prices are pressuring household budgets, and some grocery chains are eyeing price cuts to help shoppers. That could support traffic for value-focused retailers like Kroger, but it also points to a tougher pricing environment. Rising Gas Prices Are Hitting Household Budgets. Some Grocery Stores Are Eyeing Price Cuts In Response.
• Neutral Sentiment: News coverage also highlighted Kroger’s recent annual-report progress and reputation gains, which may help support the long-term investment case, even if it is not an immediate stock mover. 3 key figures from Kroger’s annual report
• Negative Sentiment: Reuters and other outlets reported that Kroger is planning major price cuts under new CEO Greg Foran to win back shoppers from Walmart, Costco, and Aldi. While potentially good for traffic, the move raises concerns about near-term margin pressure, which appears to be weighing on the stock. Kroger plans price cuts as new CEO looks to regain shoppers
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple reports flagged a recall of Kroger garlic cheese croutons over possible salmonella contamination, adding another headline-risk item for the company. Kroger garlic cheese croutons sold in 17 states recalled for salmonella risk
• Negative Sentiment: Separate coverage noted Kroger’s stock had already been under pressure recently, reflecting investor concern that aggressive discounting and recall headlines could hurt profitability. Kroger (KR) Stock Dips While Market Gains: Key Facts

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.