Sales Performance - Identical sales without fuel increased by 2.3% in Q3 2024[2] - Digital sales grew by 11% in Q3 2024[2] - Total company sales for Q3 2024 were $33.6 billion, a decrease from $34.0 billion in Q3 2023, primarily due to the sale of Kroger Specialty Pharmacy and lower fuel sales[8] - Sales for Q3 2024 were $33.634 billion, a slight decrease from $33.957 billion in Q3 2023, representing a 100% sales ratio for both periods[31] - Year-to-date sales for 2024 were $112.815 billion, compared to $112.975 billion in 2023, maintaining a 100% sales ratio[31] - Identical sales excluding fuel for Q3 2024 increased by 2.3% to $29.47 billion, compared to $28.818 billion in Q3 2023[44] - Year-to-date identical sales excluding fuel for 2024 increased by 1.2% to $97.595 billion, compared to $96.397 billion in 2023[44] Profitability Metrics - Operating profit for Q3 2024 was $828 million, with an EPS of $0.84[2] - Adjusted FIFO operating profit reached $1,017 million, and adjusted EPS was $0.98[2] - Operating profit for Q3 2024 was $828 million (2.5% of sales), down from $912 million (2.7% of sales) in Q3 2023[31] - Year-to-date operating profit for 2024 was $2.937 billion (2.6% of sales), up from $1.902 billion (1.7% of sales) in 2023[31] - Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. for Q3 2024 were $618 million (1.8% of sales), compared to $646 million (1.9% of sales) in Q3 2023[31] - Year-to-date net earnings for 2024 were $2.031 billion (1.8% of sales), up from $1.428 billion (1.3% of sales) in 2023[31] - Net earnings including noncontrolling interests for 2024 is $2.038 billion, a 42.5% increase from $1.430 billion in 2023[39] - Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. for Q3 2024 were $618 million, compared to $646 million in Q3 2023[54] - Year-to-date net earnings for 2024 were $2,031 million, up from $1,428 million in 2023[54] - Adjusted net earnings excluding adjustment items for Q3 2024 were $719 million, compared to $698 million in Q3 2023[54] - Year-to-date adjusted net earnings excluding adjustment items for 2024 were $2,447 million, down from $2,500 million in 2023[54] - Net earnings per diluted share for Q3 2024 were $0.84, compared to $0.88 in Q3 2023[54] - Adjusted net earnings per diluted share excluding adjustment items for Q3 2024 were $0.98, compared to $0.95 in Q3 2023[54] - Year-to-date adjusted net earnings per diluted share excluding adjustment items for 2024 were $3.34, down from $3.42 in 2023[54] - Operating profit for Q3 2024 was $828 million, compared to $912 million in Q3 2023[63] - Year-to-date operating profit for 2024 was $2,937 million, up from $1,902 million in 2023[63] - Adjusted FIFO operating profit excluding adjustment items for Q3 2024 was $1,017 million, compared to $1,022 million in Q3 2023[63] Gross Margin and LIFO Charges - Gross margin for Q3 2024 was 22.9%, with FIFO gross margin rate excluding fuel increasing by 51 basis points[9] - LIFO charges for Q3 2024 were $4 million, compared to $29 million in Q3 2023[35] - Year-to-date LIFO charges for 2024 were $66 million, down from $131 million in 2023[35] Debt and Financial Ratios - Kroger's net total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio improved to 1.21 from 1.40 a year ago[14] - Total debt increased by $9.838 billion to $22.601 billion in 2024, compared to $12.763 billion in 2023[48] - Net total debt decreased by $1.814 billion to $9.478 billion in 2024, compared to $11.292 billion in 2023[48] - Adjusted EBITDA for the rolling four quarters ended November 9, 2024, is $7.845 billion, compared to $8.078 billion for the same period in 2023[49] - Net total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio improved to 1.21 in 2024 from 1.40 in 2023[49] Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - Adjusted free cash flow guidance for 2024 remains at $2.5 – $2.7 billion[16] - Net cash provided by operating activities for 2024 is $4.39 billion, compared to $4.868 billion in 2023[39] - Payments for property and equipment, including lease buyouts, increased to $3.133 billion in 2024 from $2.907 billion in 2023[39] - Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt in 2024 is $10.499 billion, compared to none in 2023[39] Assets and Liabilities - Total assets as of November 9, 2024, were $62.418 billion, up from $51.021 billion as of November 4, 2023[37] - Total liabilities as of November 9, 2024, were $49.524 billion, compared to $39.830 billion as of November 4, 2023[37] Guidance and Forecasts - Full-year 2024 guidance for identical sales without fuel was narrowed to 1.20% – 1.50%[16] - Adjusted FIFO operating profit guidance for 2024 was narrowed to $4.6 – $4.7 billion[16]

Third Quarter Highlights Identical Sales without fuel increased 2.3% Operating Profit of $828 million; EPS of $0.84 Adjusted FIFO Operating Profit of $1,017 million and Adjusted EPS of $0.98 Achieved strong Adjusted Free Cash Flow Executed its go-to-market strategy to deliver value for customers Grew digital sales 11% Our Brands sales growth outpaced total grocery sales growth Increased total households and loyal households CINCINNATI, Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today reporte ...

Investors with an interest in Retail - Supermarkets stocks have likely encountered both Kroger (KR) and Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV (WMMVY) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive estimate revision trend ...

Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental ...

Core Insights - Kroger is set to report its third-quarter results, while its proposed merger with Albertsons is facing legal challenges from the FTC [1][2] - Analysts anticipate an increase in sales and profits compared to the previous year, but the average price target indicates a potential decline in Kroger's stock from recent highs [1][3] - The FTC has presented arguments against the merger, claiming it would negatively impact competition, while Kroger and Albertsons argue it would enhance their ability to compete with larger retailers [6][7] Financial Expectations - Kroger is expected to report revenue of $34.23 billion, reflecting a 0.8% year-over-year increase, and a profit of $662.6 million, which is a 2.6% rise [4] - The average target price for Kroger's stock is $58.80, suggesting a potential decrease from its recent closing price of $61.08, which is the highest in over two years [3] Legal Context - The trial regarding the FTC's lawsuit to block the merger concluded with closing arguments in September, with a decision pending [5][6] - Kroger maintains confidence in the merger's potential benefits and expects it to close in the fourth quarter of this year [5][8]

Core Insights - Kroger is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.98 per share, a 3.2% increase year-over-year, with revenues forecasted at $34.29 billion, reflecting a 1% year-over-year increase [1] - The consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating analysts' reassessment of their initial estimates [1][2] Earnings Estimates - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions to the stock, with empirical studies showing a strong relationship between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price performance [2] - Analysts' forecasts for key metrics can provide valuable insights beyond consensus earnings and revenue estimates [3] Sales Metrics - The consensus estimate for total sales to retail customers without fuel is $30.08 billion, indicating a 1.7% increase from the prior-year quarter [4] - Supermarket fuel sales are expected to be $3.76 billion, reflecting an 8.4% year-over-year decline [4] - Other sales are projected to reach $284.24 million, representing a 4.5% increase from the prior-year quarter [4] Stock Performance - Kroger shares have increased by 8% in the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which rose by 3.5% [5] - With a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), Kroger is expected to closely follow overall market performance in the near term [5]

Starting December 4, clip a hot new deal each day and redeem up to five timesCINCINNATI, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced it will kick-off the 12 Merry Days of Deals event. From December 4 through December 15, customers can clip a new hot digital deal each day for redemption by December 17.  "12 Merry Days of deals are just two days away and we can't wait to surprise customers each day with a new way to save big this holiday season," said Mike Murphy Kroger's group vice ...

The Kroger Co. (KR) is likely to register a top-line increase when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Dec. 5. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $34,295 million, indicating an increase of 1% from the prior-year reported figure. The bottom line is also expected to improve year over year. In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter earnings per share has been unchanged at 98 cents. The consensus figure implies a rise of 3.2% from the prior-year quarter. ...

When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about Kroger (KR) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.Kroger currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1 ...

Kroger (KR) closed at $60.09 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.47% move from the prior day. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.3%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.99%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.27%.Shares of the supermarket chain have appreciated by 3.22% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 3.51% and outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 2.1%.Investors will be eagerly watchi ...