Kroger offers a forward earnings multiple of 11.4x, exceptional free cash flow generation at 335% of net income, and a flawless four-quarter earnings beat streak, but confirmed negative price momentum with the stock below its 200-day moving average and quality metrics just short of the minimum threshold argue for waiting on a more constructive technical backdrop before building a position.
Thesis pillars
- Exceptional Free Cash Flow Conversion→Stable
- Four Quarter Earnings Beat Streak→Stable
- Attractive Valuation Compressed Multiples→Stable
- +1 more pillar — see the Why tab for full reasoning
Kroger Company (The) (KR) Stock Analysis
Consumer Defensive · Grocery Stores
Sell if holding. Engine safety override at $57.50: Quality below floor (3.9 < 4.0) triggers a hard block regardless of the otherwise-positive setup — overall score 5.3/10. Specifically: Elevated put/call ratio: 2.25; Below-average business quality; Below long-term trend.
Our Company is built on the foundation of our retail grocery business, which includes the added convenience of our retail pharmacies and fuel centers. Our strategy is focused on growing households and increasing customer loyalty by delivering great value and convenience, and... Read more
Sell if holding. Engine safety override at $57.50: Quality below floor (3.9 < 4.0) triggers a hard block regardless of the otherwise-positive setup — overall score 5.3/10. Specifically: Elevated put/call ratio: 2.25; Below-average business quality; Below long-term trend. Chart setup: No clear chart pattern; technical signals are mixed. Score 5.3/10, moderate confidence.
Passes 6/9 gates (positive momentum, favorable risk/reward ratio, clean insider activity, earnings proximity 67d clear, semi cycle peak clear, materials cycle peak clear). Fails on death cross (50MA < 200MA). Suitability: moderate.
Recent developments
updated 2026-07-06Recent Developments — Kroger Company (The)
Material events (past 30 days)
- 8K Jun 26, 2026 MEDIUM Item 5.02: On June 25, 2026, The Kroger Co. (the "Company") held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting").
Latest news
- NEWS Deal Dispatch: Authentic Brands Acquires Care Bears, Kroger Buys Giant Eagle, Dish Corp. Bankruptcy — benzinga Jul 2, 2026 positive
- NEWS Guggenheim Reiterates Buy on Kroger, Maintains $71 Price Target — benzinga Jul 2, 2026 positive
- NEWS Kroger Strikes $1.65 Billion Deal To Buy Regional Grocer Giant Eagle — benzinga Jul 1, 2026 positive
- NEWS Kroger To Acquire Food And Pharmacy Chain Giant Eagle For $1.65B, Comprising $1.25B In Cash And Assumption Of ~$400M Of — benzinga Jul 1, 2026 positive
- NEWS Kroger Appoints Ronald L. Sargent Non-Executive Chairman, Effective July 1 — benzinga Jun 26, 2026 neutral
Generated 2026-07-07T10:21:37Z.
Upcoming dated catalysts
Thesis
Key Metrics
Quality Signals
Options Flow
Material Events(8-K, last 90d)
- 2026-06-26Item 5.02MEDIUMOn June 25, 2026, The Kroger Co. (the "Company") held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting").SEC filing →
- 2026-05-27Item 5.02MEDIUMOn May 22, 2026, Timothy A. Massa, the Executive Vice President and Associate Experience Officer of The Kroger Co. (the "Company"), provided notice to the Company of his intention to retire in the fall of 2026. Mr.SEC filing →
Model-generated analysis — not investment advice. Not a registered investment advisor. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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Rating Breakdown
2 floor-breakers
Growth below the gate floor. Component breakdown shows what dragged the score down.static
Quality below the gate floor. Component breakdown shows what dragged the score down.static
Price Targets
Position Sizing
Risk Alerts
Earnings
Verdict History
Frequently Asked Questions
Sell if holding. Engine safety override at $57.50: Quality below floor (3.9 < 4.0) triggers a hard block regardless of the otherwise-positive setup — overall score 5.3/10. Specifically: Elevated put/call ratio: 2.25; Below-average business quality; Below long-term trend. Chart setup: No clear chart pattern; technical signals are mixed. Prior stop was $54.17. Score 5.3/10, moderate confidence.
Take-profit target: $64.27 (+10.3% upside). Prior stop was $54.17. Stop-loss: $54.17.
Quality below floor (3.9 < 4.0).
Kroger Company (The) trades at a P/E of 34.0 (forward 10.5). TrendMatrix value score: 7.7/10. Verdict: Sell.
33 analysts cover KR with a consensus score of 3.8/5. Average price target: $71.
What does Kroger Company (The) do?Our Company is built on the foundation of our retail grocery business, which includes the added convenience of our...
Our Company is built on the foundation of our retail grocery business, which includes the added convenience of our retail pharmacies and fuel centers. Our strategy is focused on growing households and increasing customer loyalty by delivering great value and convenience, and investing in Fresh, _Our Brands_ , Personalization and eCommerce.