Cincinnati, Ohio-based The Kroger Co. (KR) operates as a food and drug retailer in the United States. With a market capitalization of $36.8 billion, the company operates a mix of food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price-impact warehouses, offering products ranging from natural foods and general merchandise to pharmaceuticals, organic produce, home fashion and furnishings, and more.
KR is expected to release its Q3 2026 earnings soon. Ahead of the event, analysts expect the company’s EPS to be $1.16 on a diluted basis, up 10.5% from $1.05 in the year-ago quarter. The company has exceeded Wall Street’s EPS estimates in three of its last four quarters, while missing on one occasion.
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For fiscal 2027, analysts project the company’s EPS to be $5.20, up 7.2% from $4.85 in fiscal 2026. Moreover, its EPS is expected to rise by roughly 5.8% year over year (YoY) to $5.50 in fiscal 2028.
www.barchart.comKR stock has fallen 3.9% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500 Index’s ($SPX) 12.4% rise and the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF’s (XLP) 10.7% rise during the same time frame.
www.barchart.comOn Sept. 11, KR stock rose 2.7% following the release of its Q2 2026 earnings. The company’s revenue for the quarter rose 2% from the prior year’s quarter to $34.6 billion and surpassed the Street’s estimates. Additionally, its adjusted EPS for the period amounted to $1.09, also topping Wall Street’s forecasts. Despite lowering full-year same-store sales growth guidance, KR’s EPS guidance for the full year is $5.20 at the midpoint, beating analyst estimates by 2.8%. On another note, the company’s free cash flow margin also fell compared to the year-ago quarter, with its same-store sales remaining flat, suggesting flatlining demand and the need for more profitable ventures.
Analysts are somewhat optimistic about KR, with the stock having a “Moderate Buy” rating overall. Among the 21 analysts covering the stock, 12 are recommending a “Strong Buy,” and nine recommend a “Hold.” KR’s average analyst price target is $69.71, indicating an upside of 7.2% from the current level.
On the date of publication, Aritra Gangopadhyay did not directly have a position in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
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