Kroger Company logo

Kroger Company(KR)

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ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL RECENCY
1-STAR RATING
Consider higher Upturn Star rating
BUY for 3 days
PROFIT SINCE LAST BUY
-2.41%
LAST CLOSE
$60.75
09/17/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Upturn Advisory & Investor View for KR

09/17/2026: KR (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.

Kroger is a foundational American grocery retailer known for its extensive supermarket network and emphasis on fresh goods. The company benefits from strong private label brand loyalty and a data-driven approach to consumer insights, which supports its competitive position. Its primary growth story revolves around digital transformation and potential large-scale consolidation to increase operational efficiency. However, investors must consider the risks of thin profit margins, intense price competition from discount giants, and regulatory hurdles facing major acquisition attempts. The stock may best suit value and dividend-focused investors seeking a defensive holding, while developments in the Albertsons merger and digital retail margins remain key areas to monitor.

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 offers steady, predictable growth rather than rapid, high-multiple expansion.
Momentum investorMixed fitMomentum appeal is conditional on positive market sentiment and successful execution of major strategic mergers.
Value investorStrong fitKroger frequently trades at a valuation that reflects its stable cash flows and established market position.
Dividend investorStrong fitThe company has a consistent history of dividend payments and a stable payout ratio suitable for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorStrong fitAs a consumer staple business, Kroger exhibits lower volatility compared to high-growth tech or cyclical sectors.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityLowThe grocery business is generally defensive, leading to less stock price fluctuation compared to the broader market.
Valuation riskLowKroger typically maintains reasonable valuation multiples, reducing the risk of significant multiple compression.
Competition risk (Price/Discounting)HighIntense competition from players like Walmart can compress margins and pressure market share.
Business qualityStrongKroger's established brand equity and critical role in the supply chain provide a strong fundamental foundation.
Dividend incomeStrongThe dividend is supported by consistent cash flows and a history of reliable payouts.
Execution riskMedium / highLarge-scale mergers and digital transformations involve complex operational risks.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

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

Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

Smooth

The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 21.68%
Avg. Invested days 53
Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
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 09/17/2026

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, and weak price momentum.

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 84.7% and approximately 99.5% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 6.87% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 8.91%
Berkshire Hathaway Inc 6.54%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.11%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 5.31%
State Street Corp 5.11%

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. Strong cash conversion and healthy margins support the rating, although capital efficiency remains below the highest tier.

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 StabilityHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 36.44B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 33.59
1Y Target Price 68
Price to earnings Ratio 33.59
1Y Target Price 68
Volume (30-day avg) 6.5M shares
Beta 0.41
52 Weeks Range 53.78 - 75.66
Updated Date 09/17/2026
52 Weeks Range 53.78 - 75.66
Updated Date 09/17/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 2.31%
Basic EPS (TTM) 1.82

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Retail GroceryPhysical store sales of food, household items, and general merchandise.This is the primary revenue engine representing the bulk of daily operations.
Pharmacy and FuelIn-store pharmacy services and fuel centers.These are key traffic drivers that increase customer frequency and loyalty.
Retail MediaAdvertising services for brands through Kroger's data platforms.A high-margin segment that leverages proprietary customer data.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-09-11
When Before Market
Estimate 1.05
Actual 1.09

Profitability

Profit Margin 0.73%
Operating Margin (TTM) 2.98%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 5.8%
Return on Equity (TTM) 14.44%

Valuation

Trailing PE 33.59
Forward PE 11.96
Enterprise Value 57.86B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.24
Enterprise Value 57.86B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.24
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.39
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 10.06
Shares Outstanding 596.00M
Shares Floating 593.28M
Shares Outstanding 596.00M
Shares Floating 593.28M
Percent Insiders 6.87
Percent Institutions 84.69

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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.

About Kroger Company

Exchange NYSE
Headquarters Cincinnati, OH, United States
IPO Launch date 1928-01-26
CEO & Director Mr. Gregory S. Foran
Sector Consumer Defensive
Industry Grocery Stores
Full time employees 400000
Full time employees 400000

The Kroger Co. operates as a food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price impact warehouses. Its combination food and drug stores offer natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers, fresh seafood, and organic produce; and its multi-department stores provide apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products, and toys. The company's marketplace stores offer full-service grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty care, and perishable goods, as well as general merchandise, including apparel, home goods, and toys; and its price impact warehouse stores provide grocery, and health and beauty care items, as well as meat, dairy, baked goods, and fresh produce items. It also manufactures and processes food products for sale in its supermarkets and online; and sells fuel through its fuel centers. The company sells its products through its stores, fuel centers, and online platforms. The Kroger Co. was founded in 1883 and is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.