MUFG Securities EMEA plc Raises Stock Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

MUFG Securities EMEA plc increased its stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 114.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 24,965 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 13,322 shares during the quarter. MUFG Securities EMEA plc’s holdings in Kroger were worth $1,560,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new stake in Kroger in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Kroger by 268.1% during the 4th quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares during the last quarter. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new stake in Kroger during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. acquired a new stake in Kroger during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Kroger during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Kroger Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of KR stock opened at $61.58 on Wednesday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $68.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $66.74. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66. The stock has a market cap of $37.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.25, a PEG ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 0.42. The Kroger Co. has a twelve month low of $58.60 and a twelve month high of $76.58.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 5th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $34.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $35.10 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.69% and a return on equity of 41.08%. The company’s revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.14 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 5.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 15th were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 15th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Kroger’s payout ratio is presently 91.50%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $78.00 target price (up from $75.00) on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, March 6th. Telsey Advisory Group lifted their target price on shares of Kroger from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Barclays reaffirmed a “positive” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Erste Group Bank cut shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Kroger presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $74.87.

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.