Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Makes New $1.50 Million Investment in The Kroger Co. $KR

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. bought a new stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor bought 26,983 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,498,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. SGL Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the second quarter worth $2,764,000. Allstate Corp lifted its holdings in Kroger by 108.5% during the 4th quarter. Allstate Corp now owns 47,991 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,998,000 after buying an additional 24,976 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Kroger by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 77,169,425 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,821,546,000 after buying an additional 868,529 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 2nd quarter valued at about $76,633,000. Finally, Conning Inc. grew its position in shares of Kroger by 10,178.7% in the 4th quarter. Conning Inc. now owns 507,459 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,706,000 after buying an additional 502,522 shares during the last quarter. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Kroger Trading Down 1.0%

NYSE KR opened at $58.49 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.41, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.43. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $57.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $64.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The Kroger Co. has a one year low of $54.15 and a one year high of $76.58.

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

Kroger Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on KR shares. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and set a $71.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Kroger from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Finally, Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $78.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $72.00.

More 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.