Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Cuts Stock Holdings in The Kroger Co. $KR

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lowered its stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 43.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 25,204 shares of the company’s stock after selling 18,985 shares during the quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.’s holdings in Kroger were worth $1,669,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Kroger by 268.1% during the fourth quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 416 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 303 shares during the period. Avalon Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the third quarter worth $29,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the third quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Kroger by 100.0% during the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 490 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 245 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays reaffirmed a “positive” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Citigroup increased their target price on Kroger from $68.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, March 9th. Morgan Stanley set a $73.00 price objective on shares of Kroger and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $82.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, March 27th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $74.87.

Kroger News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is moving ahead with a plan to cut prices on thousands of items, which could help protect traffic and market share as it competes more aggressively with Walmart and Costco. Kroger plans to cut prices on thousands of items to boost competitiveness, Bloomberg report says
• Positive Sentiment: Industry commentary suggesting grocery prices may rise further could support revenue, since higher shelf prices can lift sales dollars even if unit volume growth is mixed. Americans Are About to Pay Even More at the Grocery Store
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger announced the retirement of Executive Vice President and Chief Associate Experience Officer Tim Massa, adding to a recent string of senior departures under new CEO Greg Foran; investors may see this as leadership turnover during a strategic transition. Kroger announces retirement of Tim Massa, Executive Vice President and Chief Associate Experience Officer
• Neutral Sentiment: Separately, Kroger’s broader investment case still leans on its push to become a more competitive value grocer, but that strategy may take time to show up in earnings. We Want to Be America’s Best Grocer: Kroger’s Aggressive Plan to Beat Walmart and Costco
• Negative Sentiment: Shares fell sharply in the prior session as investors worried about a tougher margin backdrop from higher grocery price competition and a weak read-through from Walmart’s profit outlook. Kroger (KR) Stock Drops Despite Market Gains: Important Facts to Note
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger also faced a product recall involving croutons in 17 states over possible salmonella contamination, which could weigh on sentiment around food safety and execution. Kroger croutons recalled in 17 states over possible salmonella contamination

Kroger Trading Up 0.4%

NYSE KR opened at $64.81 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.46. The Kroger Co. has a 52-week low of $58.60 and a 52-week high of $76.58. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $68.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $66.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 5th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $34.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $35.10 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 0.69% and a return on equity of 41.08%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.14 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.300 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.24 EPS for the current year.

Kroger Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio is currently 91.50%.

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.