This Sunday, June 21, is the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which officially marks the first day of summer. To celebrate the arrival of many people's favorite time of the year, the supermarket giant Kroger is giving away 100,000 free pints of ice cream.
Kroger Co (NYSE:KR, XETRA:KOG) shares closed more than 8% lower on Thursday after the grocery retailer reported first-quarter results that largely met expectations and reaffirmed its full-year outlook, while investors looked for greater clarity on planned investments and cost savings. Jefferies analysts maintained a ‘Buy' rating on the stock and a $74 price target, describing Kroger's strategy as becoming more defined under CEO Greg Foran.
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Kroger's NYSE: KR share price is under pressure due to slowing growth, sluggish results relative to high-flying AI names, and an expected slowdown in buybacks. However, despite the headwinds, the fundamental forces remain bullish, and the stock price is at long-term lows.
Kroger lags Q1 earnings estimates as cost pressures and price investments weigh on margins despite stronger sales, e-commerce growth and steady guidance.
Kroger faces mounting pressure as weak Q1 gross margins and volume losses drive a notable earnings miss and stock decline. KR's guidance remains intact, but I expect full-year results at the low end of ranges, with continued volume losses and gross margin pressure. KR's defensive compounder status is in jeopardy; I assign a Hold rating and a $51 price target, reflecting limited upside and better value elsewhere.
Kroger Co. is upgraded to Buy after a post-earnings drop, with valuation offering a solid margin of safety amid potential business improvements. KR maintains 2026 guidance for 1–2% identical sales growth, $5.10–$5.30 EPS, and $2.7B–$2.9B FCF despite macro headwinds. The new CEO is pursuing price cuts to drive long-term differentiation and growth alongside their mixed (digital and brick-and-mortar) expansion.
The Kroger Co. delivered a mixed Q1, with a slight revenue beat, a minor EPS miss, and a cautious management tone highlighting operational challenges. KR's management is proactively addressing pricing complexity and unsustainable operating costs, aiming to sharpen competitiveness without directly matching Walmart or Costco. eCommerce sales grew 19% YoY and turned profitable, supporting a bullish pillar alongside initiatives in Pharmacy, Ads, and Media.
Kroger's revenues ticked up slightly last quarter as its shoppers felt increased financial strain. “The customer is under pressure,” Greg Foran, chief executive of America's largest traditional supermarket chain, said Thursday (June 18) as Kroger reported earnings showing revenues up 1%, compared to a 3.2% rise in the same quarter last year.
The Kroger Co. (KR) Q1 2027 Earnings Call Transcript
Kroger (KR) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.58 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.59 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.49 per share a year ago.
Kroger heads into Q1 results with a focus on identical sales, e-commerce momentum and customer traffic as pharmacy headwinds and price investments loom.