Manning & Napier Advisors LLC Purchases New Stake in The Kroger Co. $KR

Manning & Napier Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 17,327 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $969,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Kroger during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in Kroger during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. bought a new position in Kroger during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Axiom Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Kroger in the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Kroger Stock Down 1.0%

KR stock opened at $58.49 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $57.67 and a 200 day moving average of $64.63. The firm has a market cap 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. The Kroger Co. has a twelve month low of $54.15 and a twelve month high of $76.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.59 billion. Kroger had a return on equity of 44.33% and a net margin of 0.71%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.49 EPS. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 target price on Kroger in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Kroger from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $78.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and issued a $71.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $72.00.

Key Kroger News

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

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.