Kroger (NYSE:KR) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.03 EPS

Kroger (NYSE:KR) released its quarterly earnings results on Friday. The company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.03, reports. Kroger had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 44.33%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.04 EPS. Kroger updated its FY 2026 guidance to 5.100-5.300 EPS.

Kroger Trading Up 0.8%

NYSE:KR opened at $56.87 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43. Kroger has a 1-year low of $54.15 and a 1-year high of $76.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.45, a PEG ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.41. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $57.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $63.69.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, August 15th were paid a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 14th. This is a positive change from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. Kroger’s payout ratio is currently 91.76%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kroger

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kroger in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT lifted its holdings in Kroger by 59.6% during the fourth quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT now owns 509 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Prosperity Bancshares Inc acquired a new position in Kroger in the fourth quarter valued at about $33,000. Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kroger in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. increased its stake in Kroger by 253.9% during the 2nd quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 584 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 419 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Telsey Advisory Group set a $78.00 target price on Kroger and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Barclays set a $61.00 target price on Kroger and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, June 22nd. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $82.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a report on Friday, June 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $71.31.

Trending Headlines about Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Digital and retail-media momentum remained strong. Adjusted eCommerce sales grew 20%, while Kroger Precision Marketing profit increased 24%, supporting the company’s higher-margin growth initiatives. Kroger Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results and Updates Guidance for 2026
• Positive Sentiment: Profitability exceeded the anticipated adjusted EPS result. Kroger reported adjusted EPS of $1.09, versus the $1.05 expectation cited ahead of the release, and adjusted FIFO operating profit of $1.076 billion. Kroger Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results and Updates Guidance for 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Core sales were nearly flat. Identical sales excluding fuel rose just 0.2%, indicating limited underlying traffic or volume growth despite continued grocery demand.
• Negative Sentiment: Full-year EPS guidance was set at $5.10-$5.30, with a midpoint of $5.20 below the $5.27 consensus estimate. This leaves limited room for upside and reinforces concerns about cautious consumer spending, pharmacy headwinds and rising operating costs.
• Negative Sentiment: Pre-release positioning had been cautious. Several analysts had reduced price targets, while options pricing implied potential post-earnings weakness. Kroger’s stock has also lagged the broader market over the past year, increasing investor sensitivity to execution and forward guidance.
• Positive Sentiment: Store expansion provides a longer-term growth catalyst. Kroger is planning a new North Texas Marketplace location, continuing grocery investment in a growing regional market. Kroger planning new store in North Texas

Kroger Company Profile

The Kroger Co (NYSE: KR) is one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States. Founded in Cincinnati in 1883 by Bernard Kroger, the company operates supermarkets, multi-department stores, pharmacies, convenience stores and fuel centers across the country.

Kroger sells a broad range of fresh foods, packaged groceries, household products, health and beauty items, prepared foods and general merchandise. Its private-label offerings include Simple Truth, Private Selection and Kroger brands.