Kroger (NYSE:KR) Issues Earnings Results

Kroger (NYSE:KR) released its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.01), FiscalAI reports. The firm had revenue of $46.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.69% and a return on equity of 41.08%.

Kroger Stock Performance

Shares of KR stock opened at $61.78 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $37.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.42. Kroger has a 52 week low of $58.60 and a 52 week high of $76.58. 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 firm has a 50 day moving average of $66.12 and a 200-day moving average of $66.48.

Key Stories Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger beat revenue expectations, reporting $46.12 billion in sales versus $45.59 billion expected, with identical sales excluding fuel up 1.0% and adjusted eCommerce sales rising 19%, signaling healthy demand and continued digital growth. Kroger Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management maintained full-year 2026 guidance and highlighted progress in key priorities, which can reassure investors that the company still sees its strategy on track. Kroger Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Adjusted EPS came in at $1.58, just below the $1.59 consensus, a small miss that likely reinforced a cautious reaction more than a major fundamental concern. View Press Release
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain worried that Kroger’s price-cutting strategy to defend market share could squeeze margins, especially with ongoing competition and recent commentary flagging shrinking profitability. Reuters: Kroger beats quarterly sales estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Earlier pre-earnings weakness and analyst caution suggest the stock had already been under pressure heading into the report, with concerns centered on modest growth and margin discipline. Why Kroger shares are falling today

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on KR shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, March 27th. Erste Group Bank downgraded shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Roth Mkm reissued a “buy” rating and set a $78.00 target price (up from $75.00) on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Finally, 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. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $74.67.

Institutional Trading of Kroger

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of KR. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in shares of Kroger by 27.3% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 15,733 shares of the company’s stock worth $962,000 after buying an additional 3,373 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP grew its position in Kroger by 40.7% in the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 56,243 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,807,000 after purchasing an additional 16,270 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Kroger in the 2nd quarter valued at $201,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in Kroger by 11.5% in the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 97,288 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,978,000 after purchasing an additional 10,051 shares during the period. Finally, Nebula Research & Development LLC acquired a new stake in Kroger in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,840,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

About Kroger

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.