AXQ Capital LP Has $552,000 Holdings in The Kroger Co. $KR

AXQ Capital LP trimmed its holdings in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) by 68.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,188 shares of the company’s stock after selling 17,498 shares during the period. AXQ Capital LP’s holdings in Kroger were worth $552,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of KR. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new position in shares of Kroger during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Rossby Financial LCC acquired a new stake in Kroger in the second quarter worth $29,000. Avalon Trust Co bought a new stake in Kroger in the third quarter valued at $29,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Kroger by 10,425.0% during the second quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 421 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 417 shares during the period. Finally, Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Kroger by 87.8% during the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 445 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Kroger Trading Up 2.2%

NYSE KR opened at $69.76 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.28. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $64.32 and a 200 day simple moving average of $65.95. The Kroger Co. has a 12 month low of $58.60 and a 12 month high of $74.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 64.60, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.62.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $1.05 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 company had revenue of $33.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.27 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.98 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. Kroger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.750-4.800 EPS. On average, analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 4.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kroger Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 129.63%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $70.00 target price (down from $74.00) on shares of Kroger in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Kroger from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $75.00 price target on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and set a $78.00 price objective on shares of Kroger in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Kroger in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Kroger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, December 27th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $74.07.

Trending Headlines about Kroger

Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kroger rolled out savings programs to lower out‑of‑pocket costs for certain GLP‑1 medications through manufacturer and pharmacy programs, positioning its pharmacies as a destination for weight‑management drugs and recurring prescriptions that can increase pharmacy traffic and basket size. Savings Programs that offer Affordable Access to GLP-1s Available at Kroger
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is promoting free virtual dietitian consults and nutrition support tied to its fresh foods and meal solutions — a strategy that can lift fresh produce and prepared‑food sales and deepen customer engagement with Kroger’s pharmacy and Home Chef ecosystem. Kroger offers free virtual dietitian consults to improve diets
• Positive Sentiment: Customer satisfaction recognition (ACSI survey) placed Kroger among the better U.S. grocery chains — a reputational win that supports loyalty and can help justify pricing and drive repeat visits. Kroger among best grocery stores in the US, survey reveals. See list
• Positive Sentiment: Kroger is expanding footprint and formats with a supersized marketplace in the McKinney‑Prosper corridor, signaling investment in high-growth suburban markets and potential sales upside from a larger, one‑stop format. Kroger Digs In on McKinney-Prosper Line With Supersized Marketplace
• Positive Sentiment: Home Chef continues to roll out partnerships and limited‑time menus (e.g., a Giada De Laurentiis collection), supporting Kroger’s prepared‑meal offerings and margin diversification. Home Chef Partners with Emmy Award-Winning Chef Giada De Laurentiis on Exclusive Menu
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are parsing leadership and valuation after the appointment of CEO Greg Foran; analyses highlight a mixed near‑term outlook — valuation looks attractive vs. peers but momentum and catalysts are limited in the short term. A Look At Kroger’s (KR) Valuation After Greg Foran’s Appointment As Chief Executive Officer
• Neutral Sentiment: Citi reiterated a Hold rating with a $68 target, emphasizing soft sales growth and limited near‑term catalysts — a reminder that operational improvement will be required to justify higher multiples. Balanced Risk-Reward Keeps Kroger at Hold Amid Soft Sales Growth and Limited Near-Term Catalysts
• Negative Sentiment: Kroger has begun closing about 60 stores following a failed merger, with local exits and property vacancies in some markets — a headwind to near‑term same‑store sales and a potential restructuring/real‑estate charge. Goodbye Kroger—the company is closing stores in Houston and Spring as part of a 60-store shutdown plan across the U.S.

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.