Kroger (NYSE:KR) Price Target Cut to $61.00 by Analysts at Citigroup

Kroger (NYSE:KR) had its target price reduced by equities research analysts at Citigroup from $71.00 to $61.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “neutral” rating on the stock. Citigroup’s target price would indicate a potential upside of 6.80% from the company’s current price.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets restated a “market perform” rating and issued a $70.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, June 1st. Guggenheim set a $71.00 price objective on Kroger and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday. Weiss Ratings cut Kroger from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 target price on Kroger in a report on Monday. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $71.94.

Kroger Trading Up 2.4%

KR stock traded up $1.35 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $57.12. The company had a trading volume of 2,601,682 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,760,267. The stock has a market cap of $34.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.52, a PEG ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.43. Kroger has a 52 week low of $55.60 and a 52 week high of $76.58. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $65.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $66.24.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 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 analysts’ expectations of $45.59 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.49 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Kroger will post 5.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kroger

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in KR. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. grew its position in shares of Kroger by 4.5% in 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 period. PFG Investments LLC lifted its position in Kroger by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 4,899 shares of the company’s stock valued at $354,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Kroger by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 10,747 shares of the company’s stock valued at $674,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its stake in Kroger by 1.0% during 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 in the last quarter. Finally, ROI Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Kroger by 2.0% in the first quarter. ROI Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8,943 shares of the company’s stock worth $647,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other 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 announced an expanded Lisa Vanderpump collaboration, adding new Vanderpump Home products to its Bloom Haus lineup and giving the grocer another exclusive merchandise tie-in that could support traffic and non-food sales. Vanderpump Blooms x Bloom Haus, Floral Collection by Lisa Vanderpump, Expands Line
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger Health said it is working with Hy-Vee and Ahold Delhaize USA to advance the “Nourishing Change” health initiative, reinforcing its push into healthcare and wellness services. Kroger Health, Hy-Vee and Ahold Delhaize USA to Convene Industry Leaders Advancing the Future of Health at Nourishing Change
• Neutral Sentiment: Commentary around Kroger’s Q1 call emphasized cost control, price competitiveness, store execution and a more profitable e-commerce model, which suggests management is focused on defending margins while investing in growth. Kroger Q1 Earnings Call Focuses on Cost, Price and E-Commerce
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger also defeated a former store manager’s disability-accommodation lawsuit, removing a legal overhang but not likely moving the stock materially on its own. Kroger Defeats Ex-Store Manager’s Disability Accommodation Suit
• Negative Sentiment: Several Wall Street firms cut price targets after Kroger’s mixed Q1 results, including Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo, reflecting concern that the company faces a tougher pricing and margin environment ahead. These Analysts Slash Their Forecasts On Kroger Following Q1 Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst notes also pointed to weaker margins and a “choppy” near-term outlook, with grocery industry commentary suggesting Kroger may be lagging broader retail momentum. Kroger’s Price Investment Strategy is Prudent but Carries Significant Difficulties, Morgan Stanley Says

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.