Deutsche Bank AG Takes $119.72 Million Position in The Kroger Co. $KR

by · The Markets Daily

Deutsche Bank AG bought a new position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR – Free Report) during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor bought 2,156,001 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $119,723,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of KR. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kroger in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Kroger during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Kroger during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. bought a new stake in Kroger during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Axiom Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Kroger during the first quarter worth approximately $31,000. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

KR has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company set a $58.00 target price on Kroger in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Kroger from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $82.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, June 19th. Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $71.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $80.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $72.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on Kroger

Key Kroger News

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

  • Positive Sentiment: Kroger is expanding and refreshing its retail footprint, including new Marketplace locations in metro Atlanta and a remodeled Worthington, Ohio, store. The investments could improve customer experience, sales productivity and local market competitiveness. Kroger opens new Marketplace locations in metro Atlanta
  • Positive Sentiment: Analyst commentary remains broadly constructive: Kroger’s average brokerage recommendation is equivalent to a Buy, while recent analysis describes the shares as reasonably valued after their decline. The appointment of Nate Faust to lead e-commerce could support better digital execution and efficiency over time. Kroger stock looks reasonable as e-commerce leadership changes start
  • Positive Sentiment: The nationwide rollout of Fold Bitcoin Gift Cards gives Kroger a new payments and rewards-related offering, although the near-term financial impact is likely limited. Kroger rolls out Fold Bitcoin Gift Card program nationwide
  • Neutral Sentiment: Kroger plans to close 60 U.S. stores in 2026. Management may be using the closures to eliminate underperforming locations and improve profitability, but the scale of the reductions raises concerns about sales, market share and restructuring costs. Kroger closing 60 stores in 2026
  • Negative Sentiment: Reports that Kroger’s customer traffic is declining suggest shoppers may be cutting back or shifting business to competitors. Persistent traffic weakness could pressure identical-store sales and margins. Kroger’s traffic woes reflect the market
  • Negative Sentiment: A recall involving jalapeño products sold at Kroger and other retailers creates food-safety and reputational risk, though the incident also affects competitors. Products recalled over jalapeño salmonella outbreak
  • Negative Sentiment: Kroger agreed to pay $75,000 to settle an EEOC disability-discrimination and retaliation lawsuit. The financial cost is small, but the case adds legal, compliance and reputational pressure. Kroger to pay $75,000 in EEOC lawsuit

Kroger Trading Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:KR opened at $56.34 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.51 billion, a PE ratio of 33.14, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.43. The Kroger Co. has a 1 year low of $54.15 and a 1 year high of $76.58. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $58.17 and a 200 day moving average price of $64.81.

Kroger (NYSE:KR – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results 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 company had revenue of $46.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.59 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.49 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.30 EPS. Analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 5.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. This is a positive change from Kroger’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 91.76%.

Kroger Profile

(Free Report)

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.

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