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Kroger (KR) Stock Analysis

This is a peer-relative look at Kroger (KR): its performance, risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividend, and valuation are each measured against its Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail peers, so every number reads in context rather than in isolation.

Company Profile

Company profile fields for Kroger (KR)
Profile ItemKR
NameThe Kroger Co.
Country/RegionUnited States
GICS SectorConsumer Staples
GICS Industry GroupConsumer Staples Distribution & Retail
GICS IndustryConsumer Staples Distribution & Retail
GICS Sub-IndustryFood Retail
Market Capitalization39.43 billion USD
CurrencyUSD
ExchangeNYSE
Listing DateJanuary 2, 1962
Security TypeCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

KR
GSPC
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Kroger (KR) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Kroger (KR) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Kroger (KR) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Kroger (KR) metric values compared with Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: KRIndustry group median
Total Return (1Y)-0.55%17.64%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)18.12%17.38%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)13.09%13.09%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

KR
GSPC
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Kroger (KR) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Kroger (KR) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Kroger (KR) metric values compared with Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: KRIndustry group median
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)29.94%36.21%
Beta (5Y)0.370.64
Max Drawdown (5Y)-31.07%-37.11%

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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Each dot is a stock plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. KR is highlighted; the dashed line is the Capital Allocation Line from the risk-free rate through the industry median — dots above it are stronger on a risk-adjusted basis.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Kroger (KR) metric values compared with Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: KRIndustry group median
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.170.48
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.240.71

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Kroger (KR) posts ROE of 14.44%, roughly around the peer group’s normal range. Shareholders’ equity is producing a return that looks broadly typical for the industry.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

14.44%

Group distribution
Max
35.20%
Q3
22.31%
Median
15.25%
KR
14.44%
Q1
7.33%
Min
-2.27%
Largest peers
SYY
77.69%
COST
28.40%
TGT
26.41%
WMT
22.31%
CASY
19.98%
DG
19.69%
KR
14.44%
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Where Kroger (KR) stands on ROE within its Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Net Margin (TTM)

Kroger (KR) keeps 0.73% of revenue as net profit, in the lower peer quartile for net margin. More of each sales dollar is being absorbed by costs, financing, taxes, or other charges than at most peers.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

0.73%

Group distribution
Max
5.59%
Q3
3.42%
Median
2.39%
Q1
1.67%
KR
0.73%
Min
-0.06%
Largest peers
CASY
4.14%
TGT
4.08%
DG
3.90%
COST
3.04%
WMT
3.00%
SYY
2.08%
KR
0.73%
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Where Kroger (KR) stands on net margin within its Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Kroger (KR) turns 2.98% of revenue into operating profit, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal operating margin range. Its core cost structure looks typical for the industry.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

2.98%

Group distribution
Max
7.49%
Q3
5.61%
Median
3.84%
KR
2.98%
Q1
2.10%
Min
0.97%
Largest peers
DG
6.81%
CASY
6.50%
TGT
6.04%
SYY
4.85%
COST
3.79%
WMT
3.45%
KR
2.98%
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Where Kroger (KR) stands on operating margin within its Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Profitability Metrics

Kroger (KR) metric values compared with Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: KRIndustry group median
ROE (TTM)14.44%15.25%
ROA (TTM)5.80%5.69%
Net Margin (TTM)0.73%2.39%
Operating Margin (TTM)2.98%3.84%
Gross Margin (TTM)23.90%24.38%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Kroger (KR) grew revenue 0.35%, in the lower peer quartile. The top line is expanding more slowly than at most peers, which can reflect softer demand, lost share, or weaker pricing.

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Kroger (KR): Revenue Growth across different time periods, set against Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry-group medians.

EPS Growth

Kroger (KR) grew earnings per share -58.04%, in the lower peer quartile. Per-share profits are advancing more slowly than at most peers, so margins, costs, or share count deserve a closer look.

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Kroger (KR): EPS Growth across different time periods, set against Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry-group medians.

Growth Metrics

Kroger (KR) metric values compared with Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: KRIndustry group median
Revenue Growth (YoY)0.35%5.61%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)-0.14%5.00%
EPS Growth (YoY)-58.04%-0.31%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)-20.46%8.00%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Kroger (KR) has current ratio of 0.70, in the tighter-liquidity quartile for its industry. The short-term cushion is thinner than most peers carry, even if the absolute comfort level still depends on the business model.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

0.70

Group distribution
Max
2.03
Q3
1.44
Median
1.17
Q1
1.00
KR
0.70
Min
0.68
Largest peers
SYY
1.28
DG
1.21
COST
1.06
CASY
1.02
TGT
0.99
WMT
0.77
KR
0.70
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Where Kroger (KR) stands on current ratio within its Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Kroger (KR) has debt-to-equity ratio of 4.13, above the industry benchmark range. Debt sits unusually high against shareholders’ equity, leaving the balance sheet more exposed to rate, refinancing, or earnings shocks.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

4.13

Group distribution
KR
4.13
Max
2.65
Q3
1.83
Median
1.26
Q1
0.62
Min
0.01
Largest peers
SYY
5.65
KR
4.13
DG
1.70
TGT
1.08
WMT
0.72
CASY
0.71
COST
0.28
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Where Kroger (KR) stands on debt-to-equity ratio within its Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Financial Strength Metrics

Kroger (KR) metric values compared with Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: KRIndustry group median
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.701.17
Debt / Equity (MRQ)4.131.26
Net Debt / EBITDA2.802.64

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Kroger (KR) has dividend yield of 2.12%, in the upper peer-yield quartile while still inside the industry range. The dividend offers more cash income per dollar of share price than most peers, though payout coverage still matters.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

2.12%

Group distribution
Max
2.88%
KR
2.12%
Q3
1.70%
Median
0.44%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Largest peers
TGT
2.88%
SYY
2.58%
KR
2.12%
DG
1.70%
WMT
0.80%
COST
0.54%
CASY
0.33%
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Where Kroger (KR) stands on dividend yield within its Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Kroger (KR) has payout ratio of 77.78%, above the peer distribution for its industry. The dividend consumes more reported earnings than peers normally do, leaving unusually thin earnings cover.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

77.78%

Group distribution
KR
77.78%
Max
59.29%
Q3
30.05%
Median
11.72%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Largest peers
KR
77.78%
SYY
59.29%
TGT
47.35%
WMT
34.96%
DG
30.65%
COST
26.69%
CASY
11.37%
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Where Kroger (KR) stands on payout ratio within its Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Metrics

Kroger (KR) metric values compared with Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: KRIndustry group median
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.12%0.44%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)77.78%11.72%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Kroger (KR) trades at P/E ratio of 37.09, in the richer earnings-multiple quartile for its industry. That premium needs support from growth, durable earnings, or stronger business quality.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

37.09

Group distribution
Max
50.42
KR
37.09
Q3
34.66
Median
22.23
Q1
15.91
Min
12.53
Largest peers
COST
48.33
WMT
43.44
KR
37.09
CASY
33.68
SYY
22.23
DG
17.23
TGT
15.86
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Where Kroger (KR) stands on P/E ratio within its Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Kroger (KR) trades at 0.26 on P/S ratio, roughly in the peer group’s normal range. The market is not making a strong cheap-or-rich statement about its revenue base.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

0.26

Group distribution
Max
1.47
Q3
0.87
Median
0.51
KR
0.26
Q1
0.26
Min
0.02
Largest peers
COST
1.47
CASY
1.38
WMT
1.30
DG
0.67
TGT
0.64
SYY
0.47
KR
0.26
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Where Kroger (KR) stands on P/S ratio within its Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Kroger (KR) trades at 6.81 on P/B ratio, in the higher book-value quartile. The market is paying a premium to book, so stronger ROE, cleaner assets, or a better growth profile need to justify it.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

6.81

Group distribution
Max
12.42
KR
6.81
Q3
6.58
Median
4.06
Q1
1.96
Min
0.99
Largest peers
SYY
14.61
COST
12.42
WMT
9.69
KR
6.81
CASY
6.32
TGT
3.89
DG
3.15
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Where Kroger (KR) stands on P/B ratio within its Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Valuation Metrics

Kroger (KR) metric values compared with Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: KRIndustry group median
P/E Ratio (TTM)37.0922.23
P/S Ratio (TTM)0.260.51
P/B Ratio (MRQ)6.814.06
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)6.43%4.46%