Kroger (NYSE:KR) Upgraded to “Buy” at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Kroger (NYSE:KR) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, MarketBeat reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft currently has $75.00 target price on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $78.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $68.00 price target (down from $74.00) on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Roth Mkm raised Kroger from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price objective for the company from $66.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $70.00 price objective (down previously from $74.00) on shares of Kroger in a report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Argus set a $85.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a report on Thursday, September 18th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $74.19.

Kroger Stock Performance

NYSE:KR opened at $59.85 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.28, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a current ratio of 0.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $37.87 billion, a PE ratio of 55.41, a P/E/G ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.61. Kroger has a fifty-two week low of $58.12 and a fifty-two week high of $74.90. The company has a fifty day moving average of $63.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $67.43.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.02. Kroger had a net margin of 0.54% and a return on equity of 38.06%. The business had revenue of $33.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $34.27 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.98 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. Kroger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.750-4.800 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Kroger will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Kroger

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Kroger by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 8,025 shares of the company’s stock valued at $576,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the period. PDS Planning Inc increased its stake in Kroger by 2.0% during the second quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 7,715 shares of the company’s stock worth $553,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. Cairn Investment Group Inc. raised its position in Kroger by 0.3% in the second quarter. Cairn Investment Group Inc. now owns 58,902 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,225,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the period. Independent Wealth Network Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Kroger by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Independent Wealth Network Inc. now owns 19,312 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,385,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WESPAC Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Kroger by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. WESPAC Advisors LLC now owns 13,585 shares of the company’s stock worth $916,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Deutsche Bank upgraded Kroger from Hold to Buy and set a $75 price target (roughly ~25% upside vs. current levels), a clear catalyst for fresh buy interest and analyst-led flows. Kroger resumed with a Buy at Deutsche Bank
• Positive Sentiment: Unusually heavy call buying (≈23,336 contracts, ~49% above average) signals short-term bullish positioning by traders, which can amplify upside as market makers hedge by buying shares.
• Positive Sentiment: New customer-facing programs — a “Verified Savings” produce-discount plan and the Yearly Checkout feature that highlights household savings — should help drive loyalty and basket value, supporting comps and membership metrics. Kroger Unveils Customer’s 2025 Yearly Checkout Verified Savings program
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary on rival Albertsons highlights sector valuation dynamics (Albertsons pitched as deep-value vs. Kroger’s higher multiple); this frames investor comparisons but is not a direct company development. Albertsons: Deep Value on the Surface, Opportunity Beneath?
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger will close about 60 stores as it refocuses on stronger markets after a failed merger effort — a short-term headwind to revenue and potential severance/closure costs, though the move may improve long‑term portfolio profitability. Kroger to close 60 stores
• Negative Sentiment: An Orion, MI Kroger was temporarily closed after inspectors found rodent evidence — a localized operational/PR issue that could pressure store-level sales and invites regulatory scrutiny if not contained. Orion Kroger temporarily closed

About Kroger

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.