Banque Cantonale Vaudoise Has $2.29 Million Stake in The Kroger Co. $KR

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise decreased its holdings in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 39.7% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 36,734 shares of the company’s stock after selling 24,189 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise’s holdings in Kroger were worth $2,294,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. boosted its position in shares of Kroger by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 17,327 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,083,000 after purchasing an additional 607 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Kroger by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 7,908 shares of the company’s stock valued at $494,000 after buying an additional 256 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC raised its stake in Kroger by 7.0% during the fourth quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 136,251 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,513,000 after buying an additional 8,927 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. raised its stake in Kroger by 7.5% during the fourth quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 13,524 shares of the company’s stock valued at $845,000 after buying an additional 944 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alta Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Kroger by 201.7% during the fourth quarter. Alta Capital Management LLC now owns 49,020 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,063,000 after buying an additional 32,770 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Kroger Stock Down 2.3%

Shares of KR opened at $67.09 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $41.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.85, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The Kroger Co. has a one year low of $58.60 and a one year high of $76.58. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $69.65 and its 200-day simple moving average is $66.72.

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

Kroger Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be given a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. Kroger’s payout ratio is 91.50%.

Kroger News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger said it will host its first-quarter 2026 earnings conference call on June 18, giving investors a clear near-term catalyst to watch for sales trends, margin commentary, and updated guidance. Kroger Announces First Quarter Conference Call with Investors
• Neutral Sentiment: Higher gas prices are pressuring household budgets, and some grocery chains are eyeing price cuts to help shoppers. That could support traffic for value-focused retailers like Kroger, but it also points to a tougher pricing environment. Rising Gas Prices Are Hitting Household Budgets. Some Grocery Stores Are Eyeing Price Cuts In Response.
• Neutral Sentiment: News coverage also highlighted Kroger’s recent annual-report progress and reputation gains, which may help support the long-term investment case, even if it is not an immediate stock mover. 3 key figures from Kroger’s annual report
• Negative Sentiment: Reuters and other outlets reported that Kroger is planning major price cuts under new CEO Greg Foran to win back shoppers from Walmart, Costco, and Aldi. While potentially good for traffic, the move raises concerns about near-term margin pressure, which appears to be weighing on the stock. Kroger plans price cuts as new CEO looks to regain shoppers
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple reports flagged a recall of Kroger garlic cheese croutons over possible salmonella contamination, adding another headline-risk item for the company. Kroger garlic cheese croutons sold in 17 states recalled for salmonella risk
• Negative Sentiment: Separate coverage noted Kroger’s stock had already been under pressure recently, reflecting investor concern that aggressive discounting and recall headlines could hurt profitability. Kroger (KR) Stock Dips While Market Gains: Key Facts

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on KR shares. Morgan Stanley set a $73.00 price objective on Kroger and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Telsey Advisory Group upped their price objective on Kroger from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Kroger from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, April 4th. Barclays restated a “positive” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Roth Mkm restated a “buy” rating and set a $78.00 price objective (up from $75.00) on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, March 6th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $74.87.

Kroger 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.