Principal Financial Group Inc. Has $53.67 Million Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

Principal Financial Group Inc. cut its position in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 5.5% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 741,658 shares of the company’s stock after selling 43,399 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Kroger were worth $53,666,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kroger in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new stake in Kroger during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Kroger during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Kroger by 268.1% during the 4th 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 last quarter. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Kroger in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays set a $61.00 price target on shares of Kroger and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and issued a $71.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Weiss Ratings lowered Kroger from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Thursday, June 18th. Erste Group Bank downgraded Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, June 20th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $72.00.

Kroger Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of NYSE KR opened at $58.89 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $61.70 and its 200-day moving average price is $65.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.79. The Kroger Co. has a 52-week low of $54.15 and a 52-week high of $76.58. The company has a market capitalization of $36.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.44.

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

Kroger Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This is an increase from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 82.35%.

More Kroger News

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger announced a partnership with Mid-Ohio Food Collective aimed at a $100,000 flash match goal, highlighting continued community engagement and brand goodwill. Kroger partners with Mid-Ohio Food Collective for $100,000 flash match goal
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is expanding its wine business with 147 new wine shops nationwide, a move that could support higher-margin sales and strengthen its premium offerings. Kroger bets on luxury wines with 147 new wine shops nationwide
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and media coverage continue to debate Kroger’s valuation, with one recent piece suggesting the stock may be trading near fair value rather than at a discount. Is Kroger (KR) Stock Trading Around Fair Value Today?
• Neutral Sentiment: Kroger’s proposed acquisition activity is still facing regulatory review, with possible divestitures discussed, which keeps the deal story active but uncertain for investors. Kroger (KR) Awaits Giant Eagle Review As Tempo Starts Cook Never Club
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple reports of a shooting at a Cypress Kroger location, including critical injuries and an arrest, may weigh on sentiment due to safety concerns and potential reputational damage. Suspect charged after shooting inside Cypress Kroger; security expert shares tips on how to survive a violent situation
• Negative Sentiment: Recent coverage says Kroger foot traffic has slumped for a third straight month, suggesting softer in-store demand and pressure on near-term sales trends. Kroger foot traffic slumps, analyst says, continuing a three-month trend
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that Kroger scrapped most of its Florida Harris Teeter expansion plans also point to slower growth expectations in a key market. Kroger scraps plans for 80 Harris Teeter stores in Florida, except 1

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.