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KR vs. TGT: Kroger vs. Target Stock Comparison

How do Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT) both belong to the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, though KR is classified under Food Retail while TGT falls under Consumer Staples Merchandise Retail.

Company profile comparison for Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT)
Profile ItemKRTGT
NameKroger Co.Target Corporation
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorConsumer StaplesConsumer Staples
GICS Industry GroupConsumer Staples Distribution & RetailConsumer Staples Distribution & Retail
GICS IndustryConsumer Staples Distribution & RetailConsumer Staples Distribution & Retail
GICS Sub-IndustryFood RetailConsumer Staples Merchandise Retail
Market Capitalization34.76 billion USD70.16 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJanuary 2, 1962February 21, 1973
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

KR
TGT
GSPC
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: 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 Target (TGT). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT)
MetricKRTGT
Total Return (1Y)-21.48%54.18%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)6.84%10.35%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)8.61%-7.08%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

KR
TGT
GSPC
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: 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 Target (TGT). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT)
MetricKRTGT
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)28.37%30.64%
Beta (5Y)0.411.00
Max Drawdown (5Y)-31.07%-64.40%
Avg. Volume (3M)7.80M4.69M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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KR and TGT are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT)
MetricKRTGT
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.901.64
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-1.212.47

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Target (TGT) at 22.02% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Kroger (KR) at 13.78% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for TGT.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

13.78%

Max
35.20%
Q3
21.90%
Median
15.63%
KR
13.78%
Q1
8.48%
Min
-2.30%

TGT

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

22.02%

Max
35.20%
TGT
22.02%
Q3
21.90%
Median
15.63%
Q1
8.48%
Min
-2.30%
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their ROE against the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Target (TGT) at 3.24% keeps about the industry-typical share of revenue as profit, while Kroger (KR) at 0.71% retains only a bottom-quartile share.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

0.71%

Max
5.59%
Q3
3.39%
Median
2.27%
Q1
1.59%
KR
0.71%
Min
-0.12%

TGT

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

3.24%

Max
5.59%
Q3
3.39%
TGT
3.24%
Median
2.27%
Q1
1.59%
Min
-0.12%
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their net margin against the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Kroger (KR) at 3.22% and Target (TGT) at 4.52% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

3.22%

Max
9.09%
Q3
5.18%
Median
3.89%
KR
3.22%
Q1
1.70%
Min
0.00%

TGT

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

4.52%

Max
9.09%
Q3
5.18%
TGT
4.52%
Median
3.89%
Q1
1.70%
Min
0.00%
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their operating margin against the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT)
MetricKRTGT
ROE (TTM)13.78%22.02%
ROA (TTM)5.77%5.68%
Net Margin (TTM)0.71%3.24%
Operating Margin (TTM)3.22%4.52%
Gross Margin (TTM)23.98%28.14%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Kroger (KR) at 0.35% and Target (TGT) at -1.68% post bottom-quartile revenue growth versus peers, pointing to weaker demand or pricing momentum than typical rivals.

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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Target (TGT) at -8.24% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Kroger (KR) at -58.04% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.

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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT)
MetricKRTGT
Revenue Growth (YoY)0.35%-1.68%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)-0.14%-1.34%
EPS Growth (YoY)-58.04%-8.24%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)-20.46%10.78%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Kroger (KR) at 0.79 and Target (TGT) at 0.93 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

0.79

Max
2.15
Q3
1.50
Median
1.17
Q1
1.00
KR
0.79
Min
0.68

TGT

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

0.93

Max
2.15
Q3
1.50
Median
1.17
Q1
1.00
TGT
0.93
Min
0.68
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their current ratio against the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Target (TGT) at 1.18 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Kroger (KR) at 3.73 uses more debt funding than most peers.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

3.73

KR
3.73
Max
3.73
Q3
1.88
Median
1.26
Q1
0.64
Min
0.00

TGT

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

1.18

Max
3.73
Q3
1.88
Median
1.26
TGT
1.18
Q1
0.64
Min
0.00
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT)
MetricKRTGT
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.790.93
Debt / Equity (MRQ)3.731.18
Net Debt / EBITDA2.641.89

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Target (TGT) at 2.92% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Kroger (KR) at 1.83% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, TGT the richer one.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

1.83%

Max
2.92%
Q3
1.87%
KR
1.83%
Median
0.27%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

TGT

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

2.92%

TGT
2.92%
Max
2.92%
Q3
1.87%
Median
0.27%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Kroger (KR) at 80.12% and Target (TGT) at 59.97% pay out an above-typical share of earnings for their industries, leaving thinner cover if profits dip.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

80.12%

KR
80.12%
Max
80.12%
Q3
33.46%
Median
12.07%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

TGT

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

59.97%

Max
80.12%
TGT
59.97%
Q3
33.46%
Median
12.07%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT)
MetricKRTGT
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.83%2.92%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)80.12%59.97%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Kroger (KR) at 33.57 and Target (TGT) at 20.41 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

33.57

Max
51.70
Q3
37.59
KR
33.57
Median
21.47
Q1
16.83
Min
11.73

TGT

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

20.41

Max
51.70
Q3
37.59
Median
21.47
TGT
20.41
Q1
16.83
Min
11.73
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Kroger (KR) at 0.23 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Target (TGT) at 0.66 prices around its industry’s middle — KR costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

0.23

Max
1.78
Q3
0.95
Median
0.48
Q1
0.24
KR
0.23
Min
0.02

TGT

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

0.66

Max
1.78
Q3
0.95
TGT
0.66
Median
0.48
Q1
0.24
Min
0.02
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both Kroger (KR) at 6.13 and Target (TGT) at 4.28 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

KR

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

6.13

Max
9.73
Q3
6.68
KR
6.13
Median
4.09
Q1
2.08
Min
0.63

TGT

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group

4.28

Max
9.73
Q3
6.68
TGT
4.28
Median
4.09
Q1
2.08
Min
0.63
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Kroger (KR) vs. Target (TGT): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Kroger (KR) and Target (TGT)
MetricKRTGT
P/E Ratio (TTM)33.5720.41
P/S Ratio (TTM)0.230.66
P/B Ratio (MRQ)6.134.28
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)8.62%4.48%