Kroger (NYSE:KR) Stock

KROGER CO

Kroger

Kroger is one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States with about 2,700 stores across a portfolio of over 20 supermarket banners. The company boasts an ingrained presence in US communities, citing that it is a top-two grocer in most of its major market areas. Over one fourth of Kroger's roughly $110 billion in nonperishable and fresh food sales (about 75% of revenue) stems from its private-label portfolio, of which the company manufactures about 30% of units via its own food production plants. The company also operates fuel stations and pharmacies at 60% and 80% of its locations, respectively.

The Kroger Co

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A budget-conscious Reddit user in the <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1ljp9nh/instacart_vs_in_person_shopping_cost_analysis/">r/Frugal</a> subreddit recently shared a side-by-side cost analysis of buying groceries through Instacart (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CART#NASDAQ">CART</a>) versus shopping in person. It sparked a wide-ranging conversation about convenience, cost, and tipping culture that many like-minded shoppers chimed in on.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Paying For Convenience Adds Up Quickly</h2>
The original poster said they were feeling lazy and nearly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43671734/instacart-has-extensive-retailer-integrations-and-high-quality-shopping-experience-says-analyst">placed an Instacart order</a>. But curiosity kicked in. &#8220;I cancelled the order and went to the store (Wegmans) to buy the exact items,&#8221; they wrote. The result? The Instacart version would have cost $15.46 more for the same groceries.
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That difference came from several sources: the fee, the delivery fee, the tip, and the per-item price increase, which also raises the tax. While some dismissed that increase as the cost of convenience, many commenters thought the markup was too steep.&nbsp; &#8220;Instacart marks up the prices majorly in my area. I&#8217;ve never even considered ordering from them,&#8221; one person wrote.
Others echoed similar concerns. One commenter said they stopped using Instacart after noticing that the substitutions and item quality weren't consistent with what they would choose themselves.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Disability, Illness And Transportation Make A Difference</h2>
Many Redditors said they rely on grocery delivery due to health issues, lack of a car, or extreme weather. &#8220;I&#8217;m disabled, and it can be really difficult to go grocery shopping sometimes,&#8221; one wrote. &#8220;It&#8217;s legitimately been so helpful while I try and get my health issues under control.&#8221;
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Another said: &#8220;I do pet sitting but don&#8217;t own a car&#8230; Given that my apartment and job both charge for parking—combined about $2.2K a year—I&#8217;ve calculated I&#8217;m coming out ahead getting my groceries delivered.&#8221;
There was also a practical angle: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/05/45494677/ramit-sethi-reveals-3-quick-wins-to-save-100-without-giving-up-everything-you-love-you-dont-have-to-sit-at-home-with-the-lights-off">avoiding impulse spending</a>. &#8220;When I use a delivery service&#8230; I stick to my list and I can comparison shop better,&#8221; one user wrote. &#8220;Even though I pay a convenience fee for grocery delivery, my total spending has not increased.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tipping Sparked Heated Reactions</h2>
OP mentioned tipping $3 on the Instacart order, which many readers saw as too low: &#8220;If you're going to use a convenience service, you absolutely need to tip more.&#8221;
Several gig workers commented directly. &#8220;I obsess over picking good produce and make about $35 an hour,&#8221; one Instacart shopper wrote. Another added: &#8220;IC pay starts at $4 per order&#8230; We deal with lines, finding obscure products, our gas, time, and effort.&#8221;
However, as this is the frugal community, one person also wondered, &#8220;Do you tip the normal checkout person?&#8221;
See Also: Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Curbside Pickup: The Budget-Friendly Middle Ground?</h2>
One solution kept popping up: curbside pickup. It avoids delivery fees and tipping, but still saves time. As someone said, &#8220;It&#8217;s the best of both worlds.&#8221;&nbsp;
Some retailers like Kroger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) and Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) offer in-store prices for pickup, with people reporting they <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-create-a-budget">stick to their budgets</a> better and avoid buying unnecessary extras.&nbsp;
And although Instacart and other delivery services can easily add 10% to 30% to your grocery bill. But for many, it's a worthwhile tradeoff.
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Personal Finance

CART

A Frugal Shopper Did A Cost Analysis Of Instacart Vs. In-Store Shopping. Here's How The Expenses Compare

A large exercise of company stock options by Gabriel Arreaga, Executive Vice President at Kroger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) was disclosed in a new SEC filing on June 26, as part of an insider exercise.
What Happened: Arreaga, Executive Vice President at Kroger, exercised stock options for 37,960 shares of KR stock. This information was disclosed in a Form 4 filing with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000056873/000095017025090212//Archives/edgar/data/56873/000095017025090212/0000950170-25-090212-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> on Thursday. The exercise price of the options was $34.94 per share.
As of Friday morning, Kroger shares are down by 0.2%, with a current price of $71.14. This implies that Arreaga's 37,960 shares have a value of $1,374,152.
<h3>Unveiling the Story Behind Kroger</h3>
Kroger is one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States with about 2,700 stores across a portfolio of over 20 supermarket banners. The company boasts an ingrained presence in US communities, citing that it is a top-two grocer in most of its major market areas. Over one fourth of Kroger's roughly $110 billion in nonperishable and fresh food sales (about 75% of revenue) stems from its private-label portfolio, of which the company manufactures about 30% of units via its own food production plants. The company also operates fuel stations and pharmacies at 60% and 80% of its locations, respectively.
<h3>Kroger: Financial Performance Dissected</h3>
Revenue Growth: Kroger displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 30 April, 2025, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 31.51%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Consumer Staples sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Holistic Profitability Examination:
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: The company shows a low gross margin of 23.42%, suggesting potential challenges in cost control and profitability compared to its peers.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): Kroger's EPS is significantly higher than the industry average. The company demonstrates a robust bottom-line performance with a current EPS of 1.3.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: Kroger's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching 2.83. This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage.
Financial Valuation:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: The P/E ratio of 19.42 is lower than the industry average, implying a discounted valuation for Kroger's stock.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: The Price to Sales ratio is 0.34, which is lower than the industry average. This suggests a possible undervaluation based on sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): Kroger's EV/EBITDA ratio, lower than industry averages at 8.63, indicates attractively priced shares.
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Above industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization emphasizes a noteworthy size, indicative of a strong market presence.
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<h3>Why Pay Attention to Insider Transactions</h3>
In the complex landscape of investment decisions, investors should approach insider transactions as part of a comprehensive analysis, considering various elements.
In the realm of legality, an "insider" is defined as any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This includes executives in the c-suite and major hedge funds. These insiders are required to disclose their transactions through a Form 4 filing, to be submitted within two business days of the transaction.
Notably, when a company insider makes a new purchase, it is considered an indicator of their positive expectations for the stock.
Conversely, insider sells may not necessarily signal a bearish stance on the stock and can be motivated by various factors.
<h3>Important Transaction Codes</h3>
When analyzing transactions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> tend to focus on those in the open market, detailed in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 denotes a purchase,while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C signals the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0000056873">Check Out The Full List Of Kroger's Insider Trades.</a>
Insider Buying Alert: Profit from C-Suite Moves
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

News

Insider Trades

Trading Ideas

Insider Move: Gabriel Arreaga Exercises Options, Realizing $1.37M At Kroger

In a new SEC filing on June 26, it was revealed that Arreaga, Executive Vice President at Kroger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>), executed a significant exercise of company stock options.
What Happened: A notable Form 4 filing on Thursday with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000056873/000095017025090212//Archives/edgar/data/56873/000095017025090212/0000950170-25-090212-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> revealed that Arreaga, Executive Vice President at Kroger, exercised stock options for 37,960 shares of KR, resulting in a transaction value of $1,395,447.
Kroger shares are trading, exhibiting down of 0.72% and priced at $71.7 during Thursday's morning. This values Arreaga's 37,960 shares at $1,395,447.
<h3>Delving into Kroger's Background</h3>
Kroger is one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States with about 2,700 stores across a portfolio of over 20 supermarket banners. The company boasts an ingrained presence in US communities, citing that it is a top-two grocer in most of its major market areas. Over one fourth of Kroger's roughly $110 billion in nonperishable and fresh food sales (about 75% of revenue) stems from its private-label portfolio, of which the company manufactures about 30% of units via its own food production plants. The company also operates fuel stations and pharmacies at 60% and 80% of its locations, respectively.
<h3>Kroger's Financial Performance</h3>
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining Kroger's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 31.51% as of 30 April, 2025, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Consumer Staples sector.
Holistic Profitability Examination:
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: The company shows a low gross margin of 23.42%, indicating concerns regarding cost management and overall profitability relative to its industry counterparts.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): Kroger's EPS outshines the industry average, indicating a strong bottom-line trend with a current EPS of 1.3.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: Kroger's debt-to-equity ratio is notably higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 2.83, the company relies more heavily on borrowed funds, indicating a higher level of financial risk.
Navigating Market Valuation:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: Kroger's P/E ratio of 19.68 is below the industry average, suggesting the stock may be undervalued.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: The current P/S ratio of 0.35 is below industry norms, suggesting potential undervaluation and presenting an investment opportunity for those considering sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): Kroger's EV/EBITDA ratio at 8.71 suggests potential undervaluation, falling below industry averages.
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization Highlights: Above the industry average, the company's market capitalization signifies a significant scale, indicating strong confidence and market prominence.
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<h3>The Relevance of Insider Transactions</h3>
Insider transactions contribute to decision-making but should be supplemented by a comprehensive investment analysis.
Exploring the legal landscape, an "insider" is defined as any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities, as stipulated by Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This encompasses executives in the c-suite and major hedge funds. These insiders are required to report their transactions through a Form 4 filing, which must be submitted within two business days of the transaction.
Highlighted by a company insider's new purchase, there's a positive anticipation for the stock to rise.
But, insider sells may not necessarily indicate a bearish view and can be motivated by various factors.
<h3>Breaking Down the Significance of Transaction Codes</h3>
Navigating through the landscape of transactions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> often prioritize those unfolding in the open market, precisely detailed in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 denotes a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C signals the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0000056873">Check Out The Full List Of Kroger's Insider Trades.</a>
Insider Buying Alert: Profit from C-Suite Moves
Benzinga Edge reveals every insider trade in real-time. Don't miss the next big stock move driven by insider confidence. Unlock this ultimate sentiment indicator now. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22in8&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Engaging In Options Activity, Gabriel Arreaga Exercises Options Valued At $1.40M In Kroger

Dividends

Kroger's Board of Directors Raises Quarterly Dividend From $0.32 To $0.35/Share

With President Donald Trump brokering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46072859/trump-says-israel-is-not-going-to-attack-iran-after-ceasefire-violation-turn-around-and-head-home">ceasefire between Israel and Iran</a>, the major indices have predictably swung higher. Still, this normalization shifts the fundamental spotlight back to the economy, where an underlying truth cannot be avoided: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44916124/frozen-pizza-sales-surge-like-2009-recession-as-americans-cut-back-on-dining-out-amid-economic-strain">many consumers are struggling</a> amid significant challenges. From a pragmatic perspective, this dynamic could benefit TJX Companies Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TJX#NYSE">TJX</a>). As an off-price department store, TJX specializes in the very discounts that consumers are looking for right now.
First, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dey0Q0MGmG8">statements</a> made by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to House lawmakers earlier today indicated that the central bank is in a wait-and-see mode. That's despite <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45898797/trump-and-jd-vance-push-fed-to-slash-interest-rates-after-mild-inflation-report-calling-current-policy-monetary-malpractice">increasing pressure from Trump</a> to implement rate cuts. However, Powell asserted that the Fed must fully understand the broader implications of the Trump administration's tariffs before initiating a change to monetary policy.
Reading between the lines, the central bankers are acknowledging the concerns of the consumer as it relates to costs of living. On a fundamental note, this circumstance may aid TJX stock due to the underlying discount retail business model.
Second, the specific catalyst that may help boost TJX is the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options/25/06/45984657/kr-stock-trade-down-effect-earnings-reversal">trade-down effect</a>. This phenomenon refers to consumers, when faced with tough economic conditions, choosing to buy either less of a product or lower-cost alternatives. As I stated prior to the first-quarter earnings report of grocery giant Kroger Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>), this dynamic could help lift KR stock out of its then-slump.
It's worth pointing out that the actual print overall came in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/price-target/25/06/46059125/these-analysts-raise-their-forecasts-on-kroger-after-stronger-than-expected-q1-earnings">better than expected</a>, sending Kroger shares dramatically higher. With TJX <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TJX/earnings">reporting earnings in August</a>, investors will have to wait for a substantive driver. However, traders may be able to extract quick profits in the interim.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1000" height="596" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24151238/TJX-stock-technical-analysis.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-960493" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24151238/TJX-stock-technical-analysis.jpg 1000w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24151238/TJX-stock-technical-analysis-300x179.jpg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24151238/TJX-stock-technical-analysis-768x458.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by TradingView</figcaption></figure>
From a technical viewpoint, there appears to be a resistance level at around $128. The idea here is that TJX stock could potentially hit this level within a few weeks, thus triggering an option strategy's profitability zone.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Using Statistical Analysis To Pinpoint A Strategy For TJX Stock</h2>
While both the fundamental and technical frameworks for TJX stock are arguably bullish, these methodologies only speak to the potential magnitude component of the underlying thesis or the price chart's y-axis. But with options trading, the x-axis is also critical; otherwise, the right thesis at the wrong time may still result in a complete loss of principal in a debit-based strategy.
To better understand the lay of the land, traders must view the problem probabilistically, which requires statistical analysis. At first glance, this process sounds easy: just take the frequency of the desired outcome divided by the total number of events in the dataset. However, this approach only calculates what's known as the derivative probability or the odds of an outcome across the dataset's entire distribution.
Unfortunately, derivative probabilities aren't very useful. For instance, air travel is statistically considered a safe form of travel but this insight is aggregated across the experiences of all flyers. If your pilot is inebriated or air traffic control employees are under extreme stress, the odds of something bad happening dramatically increase.
In other words, the probabilities that we're looking for is conditional. This refers to the odds of an outcome based off a specific subset of the data. But in order to extract conditional probabilities, the dataset (price action in this case) must be organized in discrete states to distinguish one state from another. Therefore, my metric of choice is market breadth — sequences of accumulative and distributive sessions.
Discrete states represent the <a href="https://brilliant.org/wiki/markov-chains/">backbone</a> of Markov chain analysis, which is the mathematical principle that I have been utilizing in the past few months. As it relates to TJX stock, the past two months' price action can be converted into discrete states under the sequencing format "4-6-U": four up weeks, six down weeks, with a net positive trajectory across the 10-week period.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24150858/TJX-stock-10wk-forecast-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-960487" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24150858/TJX-stock-10wk-forecast-1024x576.jpg 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24150858/TJX-stock-10wk-forecast-300x169.jpg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24150858/TJX-stock-10wk-forecast-768x432.jpg 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/24150858/TJX-stock-10wk-forecast.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by author</figcaption></figure>
Admittedly, this process compresses the magnitude dynamism of TJX stock into a simple binary code. However, the benefit from a statistical standpoint is that the last-10-week intervals can be identified as unique behavioral states. Using past analogs, we can determine that when the 4-6-U sequence flashes, there's a 63.64% chance that the following week's price action results in upside, with a median return of 2.28%.
Projecting an upside target isn't an exact science due to the market's usual chaos. However, if the bulls maintain control of the market, a rational target is $128.20 over the next three to four weeks — roughly aligning with the aforementioned resistance level.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Bold Debit Call Spread For The Risk-Tolerant Speculator</h2>
For traders interested in rolling the mathematical dice, the 127/128 bull call spread expiring July 18 may be tempting. This transaction involves buying the $127 call and simultaneously selling the $128 call, for a net debit paid of $46 (the most that can be lost in the trade). Should TJX stock rise through the short strike price ($128) at expiration, the maximum reward is $54, a payout of over 117%.
What makes this trade so enticing is the implied shift in sentiment regime of the 4-6-U sequence. As a baseline, the chance that TJX stock may rise over any given week is 54.11%. Therefore, the aforementioned sequence boosts the bullish odds quite significantly. In other words, the call spread may be favorably mispriced.
Part of the reason for the mispricing is that the vast majority of Wall Street analysts rely on interpretations of non-stationary price signals or financial ratios. Generally, these interpretations are vague, presenting difficulties for traders. With the above discrete-state analysis, we're using math and science to help pinpoint our strategic framework.
The opinions and views expressed in this content are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Benzinga. Benzinga is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information provided herein. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be misconstrued as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Readers are asked not to rely on the opinions or information herein, and encouraged to do their own due diligence before making investing decisions.
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Options Corner: TJX Companies May Be Poised For Upside As Shoppers Hunt For Discounts

Disclosed in a recent SEC filing on June 24, Cosset, Executive Vice President at Kroger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>), made a noteworthy transaction involving the exercise of company stock options.
What Happened: Disclosed in a Form 4 filing on Tuesday with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000056873/000095017025089236//Archives/edgar/data/56873/000095017025089236/0000950170-25-089236-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a>, Cosset, Executive Vice President at Kroger, executed a strategic derivative sale. This involved exercising stock options for 71,224 shares of KR, resulting in a transaction value of $3,116,406.
Kroger shares are trading, exhibiting down of 1.52% and priced at $72.88 during Tuesday's morning. This values Cosset's 71,224 shares at $3,116,406.
<h3>All You Need to Know About Kroger</h3>
Kroger is one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States with more than 2,700 stores across a portfolio of over 20 supermarket banners. The company boasts an ingrained presence in US communities, citing that it is a top-two grocer in most of its major market areas. Over one fourth of Kroger's roughly $110 billion in nonperishable and fresh food sales (about 75% of revenue) stems from its private-label portfolio, of which the company manufactures about 30% of units via its own food production plants. The company also operates fuel stations and pharmacies at 60% and 80% of its locations, respectively.
<h3>Kroger's Financial Performance</h3>
Revenue Growth: Kroger's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 30 April, 2025, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 31.51%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Consumer Staples sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Navigating Financial Profits:
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: The company faces challenges with a low gross margin of 23.42%, suggesting potential difficulties in cost control and profitability compared to its peers.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): Kroger's EPS is significantly higher than the industry average. The company demonstrates a robust bottom-line performance with a current EPS of 1.3.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: With a high debt-to-equity ratio of 2.83, Kroger faces challenges in effectively managing its debt levels, indicating potential financial strain.
In-Depth Valuation Examination:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: Kroger's P/E ratio of 20.16 is below the industry average, suggesting the stock may be undervalued.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: The P/S ratio of 0.35 is lower than the industry average, implying a discounted valuation for Kroger's stock in relation to sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): The company's EV/EBITDA ratio of 8.86 trails industry averages, indicating a potential disparity in market valuation that could be advantageous for investors.
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization Analysis: With an elevated market capitalization, the company stands out above industry averages, showcasing substantial size and market acknowledgment.
<a href="https://www.schwab.com/brokerage?aff=XEC">Now trade stocks online commission free with Charles Schwab, a trusted and complete investment firm.</a>
<h3>Why Insider Transactions Are Key in Investment Decisions</h3>
Considering insider transactions is valuable, but it's crucial to evaluate them in conjunction with other investment factors.
In the context of legal matters, the term "insider" refers to any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities, as outlined by Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This includes executives in the c-suite and significant hedge funds. Such insiders are obligated to report their transactions through a Form 4 filing, which must be completed within two business days of the transaction.
Pointing towards optimism, a company insider's new purchase signals their positive anticipation for the stock to rise.
Despite insider sells not always signaling a bearish sentiment, they can be driven by various factors.
<h3>Deciphering Transaction Codes in Insider Filings</h3>
Delving into transactions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> typically prioritize those unfolding in the open market, as precisely outlined in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 indicates a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C signals the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0000056873">Check Out The Full List Of Kroger's Insider Trades.</a>
Insider Buying Alert: Profit from C-Suite Moves
Benzinga Edge reveals every insider trade in real-time. Don't miss the next big stock move driven by insider confidence. Unlock this ultimate sentiment indicator now. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22in8&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Insider Decision: Yael Cosset Exercises Options At Kroger For $3.12M

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Goldman Sachs lowered Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAP#NYSE">AAP</a>) price target from $48 to $46. Goldman Sachs analyst Kate McShane downgraded the stock from Neutral to Sell. Advance Auto Parts shares closed at $51.93 on Monday. See how other analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAP/analyst-ratings">view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Guggenheim increased the price target for Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CDTX#NASDAQ">CDTX</a>) from $50 to $68. Guggenheim analyst Seamus Fernandez maintained a Buy rating. Cidara Therapeutics shares closed at $44.95 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CDTX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Needham raised CorMedix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRMD#NASDAQ">CRMD</a>) price target from $15 to $20. Needham analyst Serge Belanger maintained a Buy rating. CorMedix shares closed at $16.56 on Monday. See how other analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CRMD/analyst-ratings">view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>HC Wainwright &amp; Co. boosted the price target for Lyell Immunopharma Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LYEL#NASDAQ">LYEL</a>) from $1 to $10. HC Wainwright &amp; Co. analyst Mitchell Kapoor maintained a Neutral rating. Lyell Immunopharma shares closed at $8.99 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LYEL/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Goldman Sachs slashed the price target for RH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RH#NYSE">RH</a>) from $199 to $179. Goldman Sachs analyst Kate McShane downgraded the stock from Neutral to Sell. RH shares closed at $186.22 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/RH/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>B of A Securities cut DICK&#8217;S Sporting Goods Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKS#NYSE">DKS</a>) price target from $250 to $240. B of A Securities analyst Robert Ohmes maintained a Buy rating. DICK&#8217;S Sporting shares settled at $175.79 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSFT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>B of A Securities raised MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTSI#NASDAQ">MTSI</a>) price target from $250 to $270. B of A Securities analyst Vivek Arya maintained a Buy rating. MACOM Technology Solutions shares closed at $138.65 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSFT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Keybanc increased Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAB#NYSE">WAB</a>) price target from $220 to $240. Keybanc analyst Steve Barger maintained an Overweight rating. Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies shares closed at $202.19 on Monday.  <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSFT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Cantor Fitzgerald raised the price target for Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>) from $200 to $220. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Matthew Prisco maintained an Overweight rating. Applied Materials shares settled at $171.96 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSFT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Cantor Fitzgerald increased Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) price target from $90 to $115. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Matthew Prisco maintained an Overweight rating. Lam Research shares closed at $91.61 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSFT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying AAP stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
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Price Target

Markets

Analyst Ratings

AMAT

CDTX

CRMD

CTVA

LRCX

LYEL

MTSI

Applied Materials To Rally Around 28%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Tuesday

Kroger Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) shares are trading higher by 2.39% to $73.69 Monday afternoon. The company last week reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/earnings/25/06/46030486/grocery-giant-kroger-cfo-raises-identical-sales-outlook-but-maintains-caution-due-to-tariff-uncertainty">earnings</a>. The company also received a number of analyst rating <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KR/analyst-ratings">updates</a> following the earnings print.
What To Know: Adjusted EPS came in at $1.49, topping the $1.46 consensus estimate, while identical sales excluding fuel rose 3.2%, exceeding projections despite ongoing consumer spending headwinds.
Quarterly revenue <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/06/46054132/kroger-posts-q1-beat-analyst-raises-price-target-to-reflect-continued-growth-market-share-gains">totaled</a> $45.12 billion, slightly below expectations, but gross margin improved to 23% from 22% a year ago, aided by the sale of Kroger Specialty Pharmacy and lower supply chain costs.
CFO David Kennerley noted strong momentum, prompting Kroger to raise its full-year identical sales guidance (ex-fuel) from 2%-3% to 2.25%-3.25%, while maintaining conservative profit projections due to macroeconomic uncertainty.
Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/06/46054132/kroger-posts-q1-beat-analyst-raises-price-target-to-reflect-continued-growth-market-share-gains">reiterated</a> an Outperform rating and lifted his price target from $73 to $82, citing the company's strong execution, robust loyalty program, digital enhancements and brand strength. Other analysts also boosted their price targets, with Deutsche Bank, UBS, Guggenheim, and Morgan Stanley all raising their views.
Feldman expects continued growth and market share gains through expanded geography, personalized offerings and paid memberships, positioning Kroger well for 2025 and beyond.
According to data from&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>, KR has a 52-week high of $74.11 and a 52-week low of $49.04.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46059497/stocks-rise-oil-tumbles-despite-irans-strikes-on-us-bases-whats-driving-markets-monday">Stocks Rise, Oil Tumbles Despite Iran&#8217;s Strikes On US Bases: What&#8217;s Driving Markets Monday?</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Buy KR Stock</h2>
Besides going to a brokerage platform to purchase a share &#8211; or fractional share &#8211; of stock, you can also gain access to shares either by buying an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the stock itself, or by allocating yourself to a strategy in your 401(k) that would seek to acquire shares in a mutual fund or other instrument. 
For example, in Kroger&#8217;s case, it is in the Consumer Staples sector. An ETF will likely hold shares in many liquid and large companies that help track that sector, allowing an investor to gain exposure to the trends within that segment.
Image: Shutterstock

Why Kroger Stock Hit A New 52-Week High Today

WIIM

Kroger shares are trading higher after multiple firms raised their respective price targets on the stock.

Kroger Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) reported better-than-expected first-quarter adjusted EPS <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KR/earnings">results on Friday</a>.
The company reported first-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.49, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $1.46. Quarterly sales of $45.12 billion missed the Street view of $45.19 billion, with identical sales ex-fuel increasing 3.2%.
Gross margin in the quarter under review increased to 23% from 22% a year ago. The improvement in gross margin was primarily attributable to the sale of Kroger Specialty Pharmacy, lower shrink, and lower supply chain costs, partially offset by the mix effect from growth in pharmacy sales which have lower margins.
"Our strong sales results and positive momentum give us confidence to raise our identical sales ex-fuel guidance, to a new range of 2.25% to 3.25%. While first-quarter sales and profitability exceeded our expectations, the macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, and as a result, other elements of our guidance remain unchanged," CFO David Kennerley said.
Kroger shares gained 2.4% to trade at $73.72 on Monday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on Kroger following earnings announcement.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Deutsche Bank analyst Paul Trussell maintained Kroger with a Hold and raised the price target from $57 to $67.</li>
<li>Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman maintained the stock with an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $73 to $82.</li>
<li>UBS analyst Michael Lasser maintained the stock with a Neutral and raised the price target from $66 to $74.</li>
<li>Guggenheim analyst John Heinbockel maintained Kroger with a Buy and boosted the price target from $73 to $78.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Simeon Gutman maintained the stock with an Equal-Weight rating and raised the price target from $71 to $76.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying KR stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KR/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="579" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23123159/image-341-1024x579.png" alt="" class="wp-image-958455" style="width:633px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23123159/image-341-1024x579.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23123159/image-341-300x170.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23123159/image-341-768x434.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23123159/image-341.png 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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Earnings

These Analysts Raise Their Forecasts On Kroger After Stronger-Than-Expected Q1 Earnings

Morgan Stanley analyst Simeon Gutman maintains Kroger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $71 to $76.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Equal-Weight on Kroger, Raises Price Target to $76

Kroger Co.'s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) first-quarter results reflected that the company "continues to execute well, leveraging its fresh and own brands assortments, robust loyalty program, and enhanced digital capabilities," according to Telsey Advisory Group.
The Kroger Analyst: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/5e301e08430dee0001c88c8d/joseph-feldman">Analyst Joseph Feldman</a> reiterated an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $73 to $82.
The Kroger Thesis: The company reported adjusted earnings of $1.49 per share, beating the consensus of $1.45 per share, with higher-than-expected same-store sales, despite "an uneven consumer spending environment," Feldman said in the note.
Check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">other analyst stock ratings</a>.
Kroger raised its same-store sales, ex-fuel, guidance for 2025 from 2%-3% to 2.25%-3.25% and "conservatively maintained its profit projections," he added.
"Kroger is operating from a position of strength, with momentum in the business and a solid strategy for 2025+," the analyst wrote.
Feldman expects Kroger's growth and market share gains to continue, driven by the company&#8217;s expansion into new geographies, increasing its product assortment, improving its digital experience, and building loyalty with personalization and paid memberships.
KR Price Action: At the time of publication on Monday, Kroger&#8217;s shares had risen by 2.77% to $73.96.
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/25/06/45946624/canaan-stock-a-deep-dive-into-analyst-perspectives-8-ratings">&nbsp;Vegas Grocery Prices Rise 2%, Walmart Remains Cheapest: Analyst</a>
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Analyst Color

Reiteration

Kroger Posts Q1 Beat: Analyst Raises Price Target To Reflect Continued Growth, Market Share Gains

Guggenheim analyst John Heinbockel maintains Kroger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $73 to $78.

Guggenheim Maintains Buy on Kroger, Raises Price Target to $78

UBS analyst Michael Lasser maintains Kroger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $66 to $74.

UBS Maintains Neutral on Kroger, Raises Price Target to $74

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>B of A Securities lowered Equifax Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EFX#NYSE">EFX</a>) price target from $300 to $285. B of A Securities analyst Heather Balsky downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral. Equifax shares closed at $255.70 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/EFX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>JMP Securities increased the price target for Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXEL#NASDAQ">EXEL</a>) from $47 to $50. JMP Securities analyst Silvan Tuerkcan maintained a Market Outperform rating. Exelixis shares closed at $40.37 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/EXEL/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Keybanc raised Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DRI#NYSE">DRI</a>) price target from $230 to $245. Keybanc analyst Eric Gonzalez maintained an Overweight rating. Darden shares closed at $225.78 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DRI/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>BMO Capital slashed the price target for Dow Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOW#NYSE">DOW</a>) from $29 to $22. BMO Capital analyst John McNulty downgraded the stock from Market Perform to Underperform. Dow shares closed at $27.76 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DOW/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Baird raised the price target for Couchbase, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BASE#NASDAQ">BASE</a>) from $22 to $25. Baird analyst Rob Oliver downgraded the stock from Outperform to Neutral. Couchbase shares closed at $24.49 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BASE/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>HC Wainwright &amp; Co. increased FMC Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FMC#NYSE">FMC</a>) price target from $3 to $8. HC Wainwright &amp; Co. analyst Raghuram Selvaraju maintained a Buy rating. FMC shares settled at $41.07 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FMC/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Telsey Advisory Group raised The Kroger Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) price target from $73 to $82. Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman maintained an Outperform rating. Kroger shares closed at $71.97 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KR/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Deutsche Bank increased Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMP#NYSE">CMP</a>) price target from $14 to $22. Deutsche Bank analyst David Begleiter maintained a Buy rating. Compass Minerals shares closed at $19.38 on Friday.  <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CMP/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Wells Fargo raised the price target for Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTVA#NYSE">CTVA</a>) from $79 to $82. Wells Fargo analyst Richard Garchitorena maintained an Overweight rating. Corteva shares settled at $73.72 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CTVA/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Melius Research increased Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) price target from $110 to $175. Melius Research analyst Ben Reitzes upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy. AMD shares closed at $128.24 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMD/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying AMD stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMD/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="609" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23095218/image-334-1024x609.png" alt="" class="wp-image-958196" style="width:632px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23095218/image-334-1024x609.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23095218/image-334-300x178.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23095218/image-334-768x457.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23095218/image-334.png 1118w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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BASE

EXEL

AMD To Rally More Than 36%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Monday

Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman maintains Kroger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $73 to $82.

Telsey Advisory Group Maintains Outperform on Kroger, Raises Price Target to $82

Deutsche Bank analyst Paul Trussell maintains Kroger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $57 to $67.

Deutsche Bank Maintains Hold on Kroger, Raises Price Target to $67

Bank of America Securities (BofA) analysts conducted a grocery price study in Las Vegas, comparing April 2025 in-store <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">prices with those from a year earlier</a>.
They found average prices were up 2% year-over-year (and 23% higher than in 2019), with eggs driving much of the increase, excluding them, prices rose just 1%.
Year-over-year, price hikes were the largest at Kroger Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) and smallest at Dollar Tree, Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>) Family Dollar and Amazon.com, Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) Whole Foods Market.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/46023273/walmart-snaps-10-day-losing-streak-its-longest-since-2004-as-profit-takers-step-aside" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walmart Snaps 10-Day Losing Streak: It&#8217;s Longest Since 2004, As Profit-Takers Step Aside</a>
Over six years, the biggest increases were seen at Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFM#NASDAQ">SFM</a>) and Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>), and the smallest at Whole Foods Market and Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>).
Analysts compared year-over-year trends and price positioning relative to Walmart using like-for-like item baskets, finding Walmart maintained the lowest grocery prices across all retailers except Dollar Tree.
At Dollar Tree, $1.25 items were 16% cheaper than Walmart, while multiprice items, mainly frozen and refrigerated, were 2% more expensive.
This apart, BofA Securities analysts visited a Dollar General Market store with produce in Las Vegas and observed that produce prices were 16% higher than Walmart&#8217;s, up from a 14% gap last year.
Across Vegas retailers, they found average grocery prices had risen 2% year-over-year, or 1% excluding eggs, led by an 8% increase in dairy, while center store prices were slightly down by 1%.
Egg prices rose sharply (30%-70%) at nearly all retailers except SFM, where prices were flat, a trend similar to BofA&#8217;s Dallas study in February.
Compared to 2019, prices in Vegas were up 23% on average, with the biggest 6-year increases at Sprouts Farmers Market and Dollar General (both +32%), and the smallest at Whole Foods Market (+11%) and Walmart (+16%).
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General

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DLTR

Vegas Grocery Prices Rise 2%, Walmart Remains Cheapest: Analyst

We have discussed why I favor real estate and Real Estate Investment Trusts. Since 1972, REITs have outperformed the major indexes. According to CEM Benchmarking, publicly traded real estate has outperformed every asset class except private equity since 1998. REITs have an excellent track record of paying and growing dividends.
Most people would rather chase stories than be the landlord and lender. I know far more wealthy lenders and landlords than I do rich dreamers.
Right now, most investors either hate real estate or simply do not think about it. The instant experts of the internet are convinced that real estate is heading to zero and will crash the banking system. They believe only bitcoin and AI stocks are worth buying. That is not going to happen.
Make your own call on bitcoin and AI. But consider this: who needs real estate?
Bitcoin and AI companies and their employees do. They need office space. They live somewhere. They shop at stores, pharmacies, and frequent gas stations and convenience stores. They visit doctors and labs. They travel to conferences usually held in hotels.
Those that actually manufacture products will eventually need warehouse and logistics space. Bitcoin miners need physical locations to house all those computers.
The majority of high-tech startups are going nowhere, but the people involved will still interact with real estate and make landlords wealthy regardless of how their ventures turn out.
I am not the only one who likes real estate at current prices.
&nbsp;I am seeing insiders who run these REITs (people who know the market better than anyone) begin making open market purchases of their own stocks.
John Rakolta Jr. is Chairman of Walbridge, one of the largest privately owned construction companies in the United States. Walbridge is a top U.S. builder of automotive and manufacturing facilities and has achieved considerable market diversity through expansion into the hyperscale data center market. He is also a Director of Agree Realty and has been aggressively buying shares in the open market recently.
While the instant experts of the internet scream &#8220;retail apocalypse&#8221; and predict the death of brick-and-mortar stores, Agree Realty (Ticker: ADC) has not only survived but thrived by completely rewriting the playbook. Agree Realty represents everything I look for in a long-term holding: contrarian thinking, exceptional management, fortress-like financials, and a business model that generates predictable cash flows in an unpredictable world.
In 2010, while everyone was fleeing retail real estate like it was radioactive, Agree Realty management team made a prescient decision that would define the company future. They launched their acquisition platform with a laser focus on &#8220;e-commerce resistance,&#8221; a concept largely ignored by the investment community at the time.
Consider that timing. This was just two years after the financial crisis, with Amazon retail dominance becoming increasingly apparent and traditional retailers closing stores left and right. Most investors and REITs were fleeing the sector. But Joey Agree and his team saw something different. They understood that certain types of retail were not going to disappear. They were going to evolve and become more essential than ever.
This was not just lucky timing. It marked the beginning of what would become one of the most successful strategic repositioning stories in REIT history.
Agree management articulated something Wall Street was missing: the emergence of the omni-channel economy. As Joey Agree explained in 2016, &#8220;Every retailer in the country is going to have to have billions of dollars, national retailers, to experiment, to test and eventually effectuate a true omni-channel experience because you cannot be an e-commerce-based retailer or just a brick-and-mortar-based retailer today. It does not work.&#8221;
This was not corporate speak. It was a fundamental insight that would prove prophetic. While others saw physical stores as dinosaurs, Agree saw them as critical infrastructure for the new retail economy. Stores were not just selling locations anymore; they were fulfillment centers, pickup points, showrooms, and customer experience hubs all rolled into one.
The company &#8220;RETHINK RETAIL&#8221; campaign was not marketing fluff. It was a declaration of war against conventional wisdom.
Let me walk you through some of Agree greatest hits, because this is where the company investment acumen really shines:
Tractor Supply Company (Ticker: TSCO) &#8211; Agree first acquired a Tractor Supply location in Q3 2013 when the company was still relatively unknown outside rural markets. Management saw something special: a retailer with no national competition serving the growing rural lifestyle market with products that could not easily be replicated online.
By Q2 2016, management was saying: &#8220;While neither Tractor Supply Company nor Hobby Lobby maintains a public credit rating, both possess investment-grade quality financials with very strong balance sheets.&#8221; They were ahead of the rating agencies by years.
By Q3 2018, their conviction was proven right: &#8220;We have a fantastic relationship with their real estate team. The business is really thriving. They have no national competition. They also have the highest-rated e-commerce website of any retailer.&#8221;
Today, after acquiring over 115 locations since 2013, Tractor Supply is Agree second-largest tenant at 4.9% of base rent. More importantly, TSCO was upgraded to investment grade (BBB by S&amp;P and Baa1 by Moody) in October 2020, validating Agree early assessment of the company credit quality.
Gerber Collision In 2014, Agree identified and met with The Boyd Group, parent company of Gerber Collision, recognizing early that this was a company positioned to consolidate a highly fragmented auto collision repair market. Their first acquisition came in Q3 2017.
By Q1 2018, management was already calling Gerber &#8220;the premier auto collision operator in the United States&#8221; and committed to working with them across all three growth platforms. By Q1 2022, they were describing their strategy as &#8220;identifying early on a retailer that we thought was in a tremendous position to access a fragmented space and had the balance sheet capabilities to do so.&#8221;
The result? Agree built a preferred development relationship with Gerber, developing over 20 locations to support their organic growth. Today, Gerber Collision is their 12th largest tenant with over 95 locations representing 2.3% of base rent.
Sunbelt Rentals First acquired in Q4 2015, Sunbelt Rentals represented Agree&#8217;s bet on the shift from equipment ownership to rental in the construction industry. As management explained in Q4 2019: &#8220;the only investment-grade operator in the country. If you look at the equipment ownership versus rental in this country&#8230; it is very, very low relative to Western Europe. And so, there&#8217;s a big opportunity in this country for equipment rental rather than ownership.&#8221;
The parent company, Ashtead Group, achieved investment grade ratings (BBB- by S&amp;P in August 2018, Baa3 by Moody), and by Q1 2022, management noted that &#8220;Our decision to invest in Sunbelt Rentals was recently reinforced by their upgraded BBB rating by Fitch.&#8221;
Sunbelt is now Agree 13th largest tenant with over 55 locations, representing 2.3% of base rent.
TJX Companies (Ticker: TJX) Agree relationship with TJX (parent of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods) dates back to 2012 when they developed their first T.J. Maxx. The company recognized early that off-price retailers had a sustainable competitive advantage in their treasure-hunt shopping experience and deep vendor relationships.
The insight proved prescient. As management noted in Q2 2017: &#8220;At the same time, in terms of women&#8217;s apparel, you look at T.J. Maxx&#8230;the off-price retailers have thrived.&#8221; By Q4 2017, they were saying: &#8220;the TJX Companies&#8230;is now our #5 tenant. We have a strong bias towards off-price retail and the experience and value proposition that it provides for consumers.&#8221;
Today, TJX is their 6th largest tenant at 3.1% of base rent, and the company continues to expand aggressively. Since 2012, Agree has acquired or developed over 55 TJX locations.
Let me give you a comprehensive look at Agree top tenants, because this portfolio tells the story of a company that has systematically assembled the cream of American retail:
Top 15 Tenants by Annualized Base Rent:
<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li>Walmart (Ticker: WMT) (5.9%, $38.5M ABR) &#8211; The undisputed king of retail, with the most advanced omni-channel operation in the world. Investment grade (AA from multiple agencies).</li>
<li>Tractor Supply (Ticker: TSCO) (4.9%, $31.8M ABR) &#8211; Dominant rural lifestyle retailer with no national competition. Upgraded to investment grade in 2020 (BBB/Baa1).</li>
<li>Dollar General (Ticker: DG) (4.4%, $28.4M ABR) &#8211; Leading small-box discount retailer serving rural and urban markets where traditional retailers can&#8217;t compete economically. Investment grade (BBB/Baa2).</li>
<li>Best Buy (Ticker: BBY) (3.3%, $21.7M ABR) &#8211; The last major electronics retailer standing, with a successful omni-channel model and services business. Investment grade (BBB/Baa1).</li>
<li>Kroger (Ticker: KR) (3.2%, $20.5M ABR) &#8211; One of America&#8217;s largest supermarket chains with advanced digital capabilities and strong market positions. Investment grade (BBB-/Baa1).</li>
<li>TJX Companies (Ticker: TJX) (3.1%, $20.0M ABR) &#8211; Off-price retail leader with T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods. Investment grade (A-/A2).</li>
<li>CVS Pharmacy(Ticker: CVS) (3.1%, $19.9M ABR) &#8211; Healthcare-focused pharmacy chain with integrated health services. Investment grade (BBB/Baa2).</li>
<li>Dollar Tree (Ticker: DLTR) (2.8%, $18.3M ABR) &#8211; Fixed-price point retailer with defensive characteristics. Investment grade (BB+/Ba1 &#8211; sub-investment grade but improving).</li>
<li>O&#8217;Reilly Auto Parts (Ticker: ORLY) (2.8%, $18.3M ABR) &#8211; Leading automotive aftermarket parts retailer with strong same-store sales growth and e-commerce resistance. Investment grade (BBB+/Baa1).</li>
<li>Hobby Lobby (2.8%, $18.2M ABR) &#8211; Dominant craft retailer with no direct national competition and products difficult to replicate online. Privately held but with investment-grade quality financials.</li>
<li>Lowe&#8217;s (Ticker: LOW) (2.8%, $17.9M ABR) &#8211; Second-largest home improvement retailer with strong omni-channel capabilities. Investment grade (BBB/Baa2).</li>
<li>Gerber Collision (2.3%, $15.2M ABR) &#8211; Leading auto collision repair chain owned by Boyd Group. Investment grade parent (BBB-/Baa3).</li>
<li>Sunbelt Rentals (2.3%, $15.0M ABR) &#8211; Equipment rental leader owned by Ashtead Group. Investment grade parent (BBB/Baa3).</li>
<li>7-Eleven (2.2%, $14.2M ABR) &#8211; Convenience store leader with defensive location characteristics. Investment grade parent.</li>
<li>Burlington (Ticker: BURL) (2.2%, $14.0M ABR) &#8211; Off-price apparel retailer with strong growth trajectory. Sub-investment grade but improving credit profile.</li>
</ol>
What strikes me about this list is the intentionality behind every single tenant. These are not random retail relationships. They are carefully curated partnerships with companies that have either achieved market dominance, possess unique competitive advantages, or operate in sectors with natural barriers to e-commerce disruption.
Perhaps most impressive is the credit quality: 68.3% of Agree base rent comes from investment-grade tenants. This is not an accident. It is the result of a deliberate strategy to partner with retailers that have strong balance sheets and sustainable business models.
The tenant mix also reveals smart sector allocation:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Grocery Stores (10.1%): Essential, frequent-visit retailers with omni-channel capabilities</li>
<li>Home Improvement (9.1%): Large-ticket items requiring customer inspection and immediate fulfillment</li>
<li>Convenience Stores (7.8%): Location-dependent businesses with defensive characteristics</li>
<li>Tire &amp; Auto Service (7.8%): Services that require physical presence and specialized equipment</li>
<li>Dollar Stores (7.0%): Serving markets too small for traditional competitors</li>
</ul>
I want to spend a moment on Walmart specifically, because at 5.9% of base rent, they are Agree largest tenant, and this relationship exemplifies everything the company does right.
Walmart is not just surviving the retail apocalypse. They are winning it. The company has built the most sophisticated omni-channel operation in retail, with stores serving as fulfillment centers, pickup locations, and last-mile delivery hubs. Their e-commerce growth has been explosive, but rather than cannibalizing store sales, it is making their physical locations more valuable than ever.
For Agree, Walmart represents the perfect tenant: investment grade credit (AA rating), growing business model, and a real estate strategy that aligns perfectly with the omni-channel future. These are not legacy stores that might become obsolete. They are critical infrastructure for Walmart continued growth.
While the tenant quality is impressive, what really captures my attention is Agree&#8217;s balance sheet. This is what a fortress looks like:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Investment grade ratings: Baa1 from Moody&#8217;s, BBB+ from S&amp;P</li>
<li>Net debt to recurring EBITDA: 4.9x actual, 3.4x proforma (including forward equity)</li>
<li>Fixed charge coverage ratio: 4.3x</li>
<li>No material debt maturities until 2028</li>
<li>Total liquidity: approximately $2.6 billion</li>
<li>Outstanding forward equity: over $1.3 billion</li>
<li>Revolver capacity: $1.2 billion</li>
</ul>
This gives them tremendous flexibility to take advantage of market dislocations.
With their fortress balance sheet and $2.6 billion in liquidity, Agree is positioned for accelerated growth. Management recently raised their 2025 investment guidance to $1.3-$1.5 billion (up from $1.1-$1.3 billion), reflecting confidence in their ability to find attractive opportunities.
The investment pipeline is enormous: management estimates over 169,000 net lease opportunities across their target sectors, with $92+ billion in opportunities reviewed since 2018. They have been highly selective, investing only $8.0 billion over that period, demonstrating disciplined capital allocation.
In a world where dividend cuts have become commonplace, Agree has paid 159 consecutive monthly dividends with an average AFFO payout ratio of just 75% over the past ten years. The dividend has grown at approximately 6% annually over the past decade, reaching $2.99 per share in 2024.
This is not a yield play built on an unsustainable payout ratio. It is a genuine dividend growth story backed by growing cash flows and conservative financial management.
Here is what I find most compelling about Agree Realty: they have built a dominant position in a sector that most investors still view with skepticism. This creates a sustained competitive advantage. While others avoid retail real estate, Agree gets first look at the best opportunities.
The &#8220;retail apocalypse&#8221; narrative has created a two-tiered market where strong retailers with good real estate get phenomenal terms, while struggling concepts cannot secure financing at any price. Agree benefits from both sides of this dynamic: they get attractive pricing on quality assets while weak competitors are eliminated from their markets.
In a market obsessed with the next shiny object, Agree Realty has quietly built one of the highest-quality REIT portfolios in the market by betting on American retail evolution rather than its demise. They have assembled a collection of retailers that are not just surviving the omni-channel transition. They are thriving because of it.
While others were running from retail real estate, Agree was building relationships with the winners. While others were chasing yield at any cost, Agree was building a sustainable dividend growth engine. While others were leveraging up in good times, Agree was building a fortress balance sheet for all seasons.
This is the kind of contrarian, quality-focused investment that can anchor a portfolio for decades. In a world of uncertainty, Agree Realty offers something increasingly rare: predictable, growing cash flows backed by essential real estate infrastructure and managed by a team with a &#x2A;proven track record of outstanding capital allocation.
Sometimes the best investments are hiding in plain sight, dismissed by the crowd but quietly compounding wealth for those patient enough to see past the headlines.
The insiders in real estate see the opportunity.
You should as well.

Opinion

BURL

ORLY

TSCO

Alpha Buying: How This Company Quietly Took Over American Storefronts

Kroger Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) shares rose on Friday after the grocer topped Q1 earnings estimates, boosted margins, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers" rel="noreferrer noopener">reaffirmed its full-year outlook</a>.
The company reported first-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.49, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/06/n46023241/kroger-reports-first-quarter-2025-results-and-updates-identical-sales-without-fuel-guidance-for-20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beating the analyst consensus estimate of $1.46</a>. Quarterly sales of $45.12 billion missed the Street view of $45.19 billion, with identical sales ex-fuel increasing 3.2%.
The strong earnings came even as Kroger faced a viral backlash on TikTok, where a video showing minimally decorated Juneteenth cakes at an Atlanta store drew criticism for what many called a tone-deaf tribute to a holiday celebrating Black liberation, USA Today <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/06/20/kroger-juneteenth-cakes-tiktok/84283252007/" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
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Meanwhile, operating profit in the quarter under review increased to $1.322 billion from $1.294 billion a year ago.
Gross margin in the quarter under review increased to 23% from 22% a year ago. The improvement in gross margin was primarily attributable to the sale of Kroger Specialty Pharmacy, lower shrink, and lower supply chain costs, partially offset by the mix effect from growth in pharmacy sales which have lower margins.
The FIFO gross margin rate increased by 79 basis points, including a 46 basis point boost from the sale of Kroger Specialty Pharmacy.
The improvement in rate was primarily attributable to the sale of Kroger Specialty Pharmacy, lower shrink and lower supply chain costs, partially offset by the mix effect from growth in pharmacy sales which have lower margins.
Kroger took a $100 million charge in the first quarter for closing around 60 stores over 18 months.
The move is expected to bring &#8220;modest financial benefit,&#8221; which will be reinvested in the customer experience and won&#8217;t affect full-year guidance. All affected employees will be offered roles at other locations.
During the fourth quarter of Kroger&#8217;s fiscal 2024, Kroger entered into a&nbsp;$5 billion&nbsp;accelerated share repurchase program (ASR), which is expected to be completed by Kroger&#8217;s fiscal third quarter of 2025.
After completion of the ASR program, Kroger expects to resume open market share repurchases under the remaining&nbsp;$2.5 billion&nbsp;authorization. Kroger expects to complete these open market share repurchases by the end of fiscal 2025.
The company exited the quarter with total cash worth $340 million and temporary cash investments worth $4.398 billion.
Long-term debt (including obligations under finance leases) expanded to $17.138 billion, compared with $12.021 billion a year ago.
&#8220;Our strong sales results and positive momentum give us confidence to raise our identical sales ex-fuel guidance, to a new range of 2.25% to 3.25%. While first-quarter sales and profitability exceeded our expectations, the macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, and as a result, other elements of our guidance remain unchanged,&#8221; CFO David Kennerley said.
He expressed continued confidence in the company&#8217;s strategy and added, &#8220;We continue to believe that our strategy focusing on fresh,&nbsp;Our Brands&nbsp;and eCommerce will continue to resonate with customers, and our resilient model positions us well to navigate the current environment.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Outlook</h2>
Kroger reaffirmed its fiscal 2025 adjusted EPS guidance of $4.60 to $4.80, compared with the $4.75 analyst estimate.
The company raised identical sales ex-fuel outlook to 2.25%-3.25% versus <a href="https://ir.kroger.com/news/news-details/2025/Kroger-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2024-Results-Announces-Guidance-for-2025/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the prior view</a> of 2%-3%.
Price Action: KR shares are trading higher by 8.97% to $71.40 at last check Friday.
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Photo via Shutterstock

Guidance

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Kroger Announces First Quarter Conference Call with Investors

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Kroger Reports First Quarter 2025 Results and Updates Identical Sales without Fuel Guidance for 2025

Celebrate Independence Day at Home with Kroger

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