Kroger (KR) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.Over the past month, shares of this supermarket chain have returned -1.5%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.9% change. During this period, the Zacks Retail - Supermarkets industry, which Kroger falls in, has lost 1.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?Although ...

Core Insights - The Kroger Co. has launched a new home décor collection called SDS for HD, in collaboration with Craig Conover, featuring over 40 items designed to enhance dining and entertaining experiences [1][2][3] Company Overview - The Kroger Co. serves over 11 million customers daily through a variety of retail food stores and digital shopping experiences, aiming to create ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025 [4] Collaboration Details - The SDS for HD collection includes kitchen accessories and entertaining essentials, with plans for seasonal collections from spring to fall [1][2] - Craig Conover expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting the opportunity to reach more customers during their grocery trips [3] Brand Background - Sewing Down South, founded by Craig Conover in 2018, draws inspiration from Charleston and has partnered with various retailers to expand its product offerings [5]

Vegan stocks enjoys a key catalyst that you cannot ignore. I’m talking of course about Generation Z.According to a report by The Food Institute, 81% of college students will choose a plant-based food offering when it’s the default option. Further, Gen Z members – or Zoomers to use the cultural lexicon – are more interested in plant-based options than previous generations. Given the ideological trend, this dynamic is not at all surprising.It must be said that everyone has differing opinions on the topic. Her ...

Retailer celebrates Latin cuisine and culinary tradition leading up to Cinco de MayoCINCINNATI, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced it is kicking-off Cinco de Mayo with a four-week Latin flavors event. Customers are invited to experience savory Latin cuisine and explore the vibrant world of Latin flavors waiting for them at Kroger. Kroger is kicking-off Cinco de Mayo with a four-week Latin flavors event. Customers are invited to experience savory Latin cuisine and exp ...

Kroger's quarterly profitability and outlook for next year impressed Wall Street.Shares of Kroger (KR 0.09%) climbed 15.2% in March, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. The company smashed Wall Street's earnings estimates, and its surprisingly upbeat forecast caused analysts to revise their forecasts higher.Kroger's quarterly report was received positivelyThe grocer reported earnings on March 7, and the stock immediately surged higher. Kroger posted a roughly 1% decrease in "identi ...

Investors interested in Retail - Supermarkets stocks are likely familiar with Kroger (KR) and Walmart (WMT) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive estimate revi ...

Foundation leading conversations on food access, food security and waste challenges CINCINNATI, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation today announced it is sponsoring the 2024 National STEM Festival co-presented by EXPLR and the U.S. Department of Education April 12-13 in Washington, D.C. The festival is the first-ever nationwide initiative to foster creativity, critical thinking and a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) s ...

Luxe for less, cruelty-free makeup and skincare brand launches at KrogerCINCINNATI, April 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced MCoBeauty, Australia's fastest-growing beauty brand, is making its United States debut exclusively at Kroger Family of Stores, launching more than 250 beauty and skincare products available in stores now. MCoBeauty, Coveted Australian Beauty Brand, Expands to the U.S. Market Available Exclusively at Kroger "Kroger is thrilled to offer our customers M ...

Company Operations - Kroger operates 2,722 supermarkets across 35 states and the District of Columbia, with 2,257 having pharmacies and 1,665 featuring fuel centers[25]. - Approximately 62 million households are served annually, with over 95% of transactions linked to a Kroger loyalty card, enhancing customer data utilization[34]. - Kroger operates a seamless digital ecosystem, offering Pickup, Delivery, and Ship services across 2,350 supermarkets, enhancing customer convenience[30]. - The company has over 200 business continuity plans to manage risks from natural disasters and supply chain disruptions[50]. - As of February 3, 2024, Kroger operated approximately 2,800 supermarkets, distribution warehouses, and food production plants, with total owned assets and finance leases valued at $56.7 billion and accumulated depreciation of $31.5 billion[107]. Financial Performance - Sales for fiscal year 2023 reached $150.039 billion, a 1.2% increase from $148.258 billion in 2022[132]. - Net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. decreased by 3.6% to $2.164 billion, with diluted earnings per share at $2.96, down 3.3% from $3.06 in 2022[135]. - Adjusted net earnings per diluted common share, excluding the Extra Week, increased by 7.8% to $4.56, compared to $4.23 in 2022[135]. - Operating profit fell by 25% to $3.096 billion, reflecting significant charges related to opioid settlements[135]. - Cash flows from operations increased by 51% to $6.8 billion compared to 2022[135]. - The company returned $796 million to shareholders through dividends, marking a 16.7% increase from $682 million in 2022[135]. - Digital sales reached $12 billion, with a 12% increase excluding the Extra Week, driven by a 25% growth in Delivery solutions[135]. - Total sales to retail customers in 2023 were $132,284 million, representing a 0.9% increase compared to $129,868 million in 2022, excluding fuel[155]. Strategic Initiatives - The proposed merger with Albertsons aims to accelerate Kroger's market strategy, focusing on Fresh, Our Brands, Personalization, and Seamless[35]. - Kroger's value creation model focuses on enhancing customer experience through its four pillars: Fresh, Our Brands, Personalization, and Seamless[125]. - The company is investing in four strategic pillars: Seamless, Personalization, Fresh, and Our Brands, to enhance customer loyalty and sustainable growth[65]. - The proposed merger with Albertsons includes a comprehensive divestiture plan with C&S Wholesale Grocers, which poses various regulatory and operational risks[62]. Workforce and Labor Relations - Kroger invested approximately $210 million in associate training in 2023, emphasizing the importance of workforce development[40]. - The average hourly wage for Kroger associates is nearly $19, reflecting a 33% increase over the last five years, with total wage investments exceeding $2.4 billion[42]. - Nearly two-thirds of associates are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and labor relations could materially affect financial condition if negotiations fail[69]. - The company is committed to fair wages and benefits, but changes in labor regulations could impact future financial performance[70]. Environmental and Climate Initiatives - The company is committed to managing climate impacts as part of its Environmental, Social & Governance strategy, focusing on operational efficiency and renewable energy[46]. - Kroger aims to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions from operations by 30% by 2030, using a 2018 baseline[51]. - The company is replacing its refrigerant infrastructure to comply with climate-related legislation, which may incur significant costs[49]. - Kroger has implemented emission reduction projects, including energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy installations[51]. - Kroger monitors energy availability and costs to anticipate impacts from changing climate patterns on energy-sourcing costs[50]. Risks and Challenges - The food retailing industry is experiencing intense competition from various formats, including online retailers and discount stores, which could adversely affect sales and profitability if customer preferences are not met[64]. - Evolving customer preferences and advancements in online and delivery channels increase competitive pressures, necessitating effective fulfillment options and technology implementation[66]. - Cybersecurity risks pose a significant threat, with potential data breaches leading to reputational damage and financial losses[76]. - Legal proceedings could result in substantial losses, and adverse outcomes may negatively impact the company's financial condition[82]. - The company faces risks from climate change, including increased costs for compliance and potential disruptions in operations due to extreme weather events[94]. - Disruptions in the global supply chain could adversely affect Kroger's ability to source products, impacting financial performance[95]. Shareholder Returns and Investments - In 2023, Kroger paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.26 and $0.29 per share, with a total expected increase in dividends over time based on earnings and Board approval[113]. - Kroger's total shareholder return target range is 8% to 11% over time, excluding the impact of the proposed merger with Albertsons[128]. - The company expects to maintain a net total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio target range of 2.30 to 2.50 while continuing to generate strong free cash flow[127]. - Total debt decreased by $1.2 billion to $12.2 billion as of year-end 2023, primarily due to the payment of senior notes[219].

Finally, US equities are beginning to see early signs of a correction, with the volatility index jumping 10% on the day as of this writing. That is not to say that I am expecting anything too severe, but a ‘garden variety’ pull-back would be productive for the longer-term bull run.Now, while this pullback should create opportunities to buy the dip on some of the leading stocks, I still like big-tech and artificial intelligence adjacent stocks, they still have some room to fall before they are again attracti ...