Kroger Company logo

Kroger Company(KR)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
1-STAR RATING
Consider higher Upturn Star rating
BUY for 24 days
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
+2.22% ▲
LAST CLOSE
$63.63
10/16/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for KR

10/16/2026: KR (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.

Kroger Company is a major US-based grocery retailer known for its extensive network of supermarkets and health-focused offerings. The company maintains a leading position through a combination of physical store density and sophisticated data analytics that drive personalized customer loyalty. Its primary growth opportunity lies in the continued expansion of digital grocery services and high-margin retail media advertising. However, investors must monitor intense competitive pressures from big-box retailers, inflationary wage costs, and the significant execution risk associated with its proposed merger with Albertsons. The stock may best suit dividend or value-oriented investors who prioritize stable, essential consumer staples with a long-term strategic evolution.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitKroger is a mature retail business that offers steady, predictable growth rather than high-velocity expansion.
Momentum investorWeak fitAs a stable consumer staple stock, it generally does not exhibit the high-volatility price swings favored by momentum traders.
Value investorStrong fitThe stock often trades at a reasonable valuation relative to its cash flow, appealing to investors looking for fundamental value.
Dividend investorStrong fitKroger provides a reliable dividend and has a track record of increasing payouts to shareholders.
Low-risk investorStrong fitIts essential business model provides defensive characteristics that tend to perform well even during economic downturns.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityLowThe stock is generally less volatile than the broader market due to the essential nature of grocery spending.
Valuation riskLowKroger typically trades at modest multiples, limiting the downside risk associated with valuation expansion.
Competition risk (Retail/E-commerce)HighAggressive pricing and convenience from Walmart and Amazon remain the most significant threats to profitability.
Business qualityStrongThe company maintains a massive, entrenched physical infrastructure and high brand recognition across the US.
Dividend incomeMediumThe dividend is safe but does not offer the high yields seen in more distressed or utility-heavy sectors.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccessfully integrating large acquisitions like Albertsons is complex and presents significant operational challenges.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 27.45%
Avg. Invested days 56
Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 4.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/16/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
KR receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid quantitative characteristics, and solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, weak price momentum, and limited analyst upside.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
KR has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and strong ownership. In FY2026 versus FY2025, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-61.9%), soft cash generation (FCF margin 2.3%), moderate revenue growth (+0.4%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
KR's financial health is supported by strong cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation of $3.4B (2.3% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is KR's strongest growth driver at +88.5% FY2026 versus FY2025 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (+0.4%, moderate) and earnings growth (-61.9%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 85.4% and approximately 99.5% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 6.89% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 8.87%
Berkshire Hathaway Inc 6.37%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 5.80%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 5.05%
State Street Corp 4.77%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
KR generates approximately $233 of gross profit, $13 of operating income, and $23 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2026 results. Weak margins explain the 2-star rating, with moderate cash conversion and soft capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 14.67%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
KR has a large-cap, liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLow VolatilityLarge / Mega Cap StabilityShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 37.58B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 35.35
1Y Target Price 68.32
Price to earnings Ratio 35.35
1Y Target Price 68.32
Volume (30-day avg) 8.1M shares
Beta 0.35
52 Weeks Range 53.78 - 75.66
Updated Date 10/17/2026
52 Weeks Range 53.78 - 75.66
Updated Date 10/17/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 2.30%
Basic EPS (TTM) 1.8

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Retail GroceryPhysical sales of food, beverage, and household products.This is the core engine, generating consistent cash flow from essential consumer purchases.
Pharmacy & HealthPrescriptions, over-the-counter health items, and wellness clinics.Provides recurring revenue and drives foot traffic into store locations.
Fuel CentersGasoline sales at store-adjacent locations.Acts as a customer loyalty driver that encourages higher grocery basket sizes.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 35.35
Forward PE 11.32
Enterprise Value 56.01B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.25
Enterprise Value 56.01B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.25
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.38
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 9.63
Shares Outstanding 590.59M
Shares Floating 587.88M
Shares Outstanding 590.59M
Shares Floating 587.88M
Percent Insiders 6.89
Percent Institutions 85.41

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.