The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) Stock Has Consensus Target Price of $69.82 According to Analysts

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) has been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-one ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and twelve have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $70.35.

Several research analysts have commented on KR shares. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $70.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a report on Wednesday. Telsey Advisory Group reduced their price objective on Kroger from $78.00 to $75.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $60.00 price objective on Kroger and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Roth Capital reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $73.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a report on Monday, September 14th.

Key Stories Impacting Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger plans to open approximately 110 new stores, lower prices, expand digital capabilities and modernize operations. Management also aims to grow its private-label business to roughly $5 billion, potentially supporting customer retention and higher-margin sales. Kroger Details Growth Strategy to Open 110 Stores, Expand Own Brand to $5B, Modernize Operations
• Positive Sentiment: The proposed savings program could improve efficiency and help fund lower prices without relying entirely on sales growth. Planned savings include operational modernization and greater use of technology and artificial intelligence. Kroger’s $4B savings—a closer look
• Positive Sentiment: New-store development, including a location with a pharmacy and fuel center in Hockley, Texas, indicates continued investment in Kroger’s physical footprint and customer ecosystem. Kroger to break ground on new store with pharmacy and fuel center in Hockley
• Neutral Sentiment: Sell-side analysts continue to show a generally constructive view, with KR receiving a “Moderate Buy” rating; however, the rating does not eliminate concerns about the plan’s execution. The Kroger Co. Stock Rated Moderate Buy
• Negative Sentiment: Management acknowledged that Kroger has lost market share to Walmart and Costco. Cutting prices while funding a major investment program may pressure near-term margins, particularly if the projected savings take longer to materialize. Kroger Is Spending $5 Billion to Cut Prices
• Negative Sentiment: The strategy involves substantial operational change, including corporate job reductions and reliance on AI. Investors may be concerned about execution risk, employee disruption and whether lower prices will generate enough traffic to offset investment costs. 5 big numbers from Kroger’s Investor Day

Insider Activity at Kroger

In other news, EVP Mary Adcock sold 72,901 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.70, for a total transaction of $4,425,090.70. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 175,233 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,636,643.10. This trade represents a 29.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.41% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kroger

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of KR. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in Kroger in the 2nd quarter valued at about $3,016,956,000. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new position in shares of Kroger during the second quarter worth approximately $284,501,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in shares of Kroger during the second quarter worth approximately $195,234,000. Nykredit A S bought a new stake in shares of Kroger during the second quarter valued at approximately $157,533,000. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG bought a new stake in shares of Kroger during the second quarter valued at approximately $119,723,000. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Kroger Price Performance

Shares of KR opened at $66.88 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $39.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.35, a PEG ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 0.36. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $59.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $61.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.59, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.31. Kroger has a 12 month low of $54.15 and a 12 month high of $76.58.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last issued its earnings results on Friday, September 11th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.04. Kroger had a return on equity of 49.90% and a net margin of 0.73%. The firm had revenue of $34.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $34.64 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.04 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Kroger will post 5.19 earnings per share for the current year.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be given a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. Kroger’s payout ratio is 84.78%.

Kroger Company Profile

The Kroger Co is a U.S. food and grocery retailer headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded by Bernard Kroger in 1883, the company operates supermarkets under banners that include Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Fry’s, Harris Teeter and Smith’s, among others.

Kroger’s business includes the sale of fresh food, groceries, general merchandise, household products and health and beauty items. Many of its stores also provide pharmacy services and fuel centers. The company offers digital shopping, pickup and delivery services, loyalty programs and a range of private-label products, including Simple Truth, Private Selection and Kroger-branded products.

Kroger primarily serves customers across the United States, with stores concentrated in the Midwest, South, West and parts of the Mid-Atlantic region.