Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC Invests $2.33 Million in The Kroger Co. $KR

Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 34,587 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,332,000.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in KR. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $518,267,000. Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its holdings in Kroger by 66.6% during the third quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 5,255,084 shares of the company’s stock valued at $354,245,000 after purchasing an additional 2,100,444 shares during the period. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Kroger by 299.6% during the second quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 2,420,495 shares of the company’s stock valued at $173,622,000 after purchasing an additional 1,814,721 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its position in Kroger by 95.6% in the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 2,434,663 shares of the company’s stock worth $174,638,000 after buying an additional 1,190,127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Holocene Advisors LP bought a new stake in shares of Kroger in the second quarter valued at $65,450,000. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Kroger Price Performance

KR stock opened at $68.13 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $64.17 and a 200-day moving average of $65.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $43.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 63.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.62. The Kroger Co. has a 12 month low of $58.60 and a 12 month high of $74.90. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.28.

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

Kroger Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio is currently 129.63%.

Trending Headlines about Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks says Kroger outperformed the broader market today, attributing strength to investor reaction to recent leadership and execution (including a modest quarterly EPS beat) that supports near-term stability. Why the Market Dipped But Kroger (KR) Gained Today
• Positive Sentiment: Market coverage has refocused after the board named Greg Foran CEO (Feb. 9). Analysts and investors see the leadership change as a potential catalyst for strategic clarity and valuation re-rating. A Look At Kroger’s (KR) Valuation After Greg Foran’s Appointment As Chief Executive Officer
• Positive Sentiment: A federal judge tossed claims that Albertsons and Kroger violated workers’ rights related to a no‑poach/strike deal — removing a legal overhang that could have led to liabilities or reputational damage. Judge tosses claims Albertsons and Kroger violated workers rights with no-poach strike deal
• Positive Sentiment: Product and partner activity: Home Chef (Kroger-owned meal solutions) launched an exclusive Giada De Laurentiis menu, and an exclusive beverage release teased for Kroger stores — both could help drive traffic and higher-margin prepared food sales. Home Chef Partners with Emmy Award-Winning Chef Giada De Laurentiis on Exclusive Menu Coca-Cola rival teases ‘exclusive’ release in Kroger stores only – what to know
• Neutral Sentiment: Citi kept a Hold rating with a $68 price target, signaling limited near-term upside from current levels and reinforcing cautious investor expectations. Balanced Risk-Reward Keeps Kroger at Hold Amid Soft Sales Growth and Limited Near-Term Catalysts
• Neutral Sentiment: Ongoing local activity: hiring postings and modest clinic closures are operational details with limited market impact but indicate routine store-level adjustments. Employment opportunities at Kroger Kroger closing Little Clinic location in Miami County
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger is executing store closures as part of a larger 60-store U.S. shutdown plan — this reduces footprint and may pressure near-term sales in affected markets. Goodbye Kroger—the company is closing stores in Houston and Spring as part of a 60-store shutdown plan across the U.S.
• Negative Sentiment: Analyses highlight thin margins and sluggish industry growth; grocery sector pressures and lower multiples versus the S&P argue for continued caution on upside without clearer margin expansion. Kroger (KR) Navigates Thin Margins and Sluggish Industry Growth

Analysts Set New Price Targets

KR has been the subject of several research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Kroger from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $75.00 price target for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $70.00 target price (down previously from $74.00) on shares of Kroger in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $80.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and set a $78.00 price target on shares of Kroger in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Kroger presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $74.07.

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.