Kroger(US:KR)2025-12-04 13:06Sales Performance - Kroger's total sales for Q3 2025 were $33.9 billion, a 0.9% increase from $33.6 billion in Q3 2024, with identical sales without fuel rising by 2.6%[7][6] - Sales for Q3 2025 reached $33,859 million, a slight increase from $33,634 million in Q3 2024[30] - Identical sales, excluding fuel, for year-to-date 2025 were $30,062 million, reflecting a 2.6% increase from $29,302 million in 2024[45] Earnings and Profitability - The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for Q3 2025 was $1.05, compared to $0.98 in Q3 2024, while the reported EPS was $(2.02) due to a $2.6 billion impairment charge[4][6] - Operating profit for Q3 2025 was a loss of $1,541 million, compared to a profit of $828 million in Q3 2024[30] - Net earnings attributable to Kroger Co. for Q3 2025 were a loss of $1,320 million, down from a profit of $618 million in Q3 2024, representing a decline of 314%[30] - Year-to-date net earnings for 2025 were $155 million, down from $2,031 million in 2024[52] - Adjusted net earnings excluding items above for Q3 2025 were $697 million, slightly down from $719 million in Q3 2024[52] Financial Position - The net total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio increased to 1.73 from 1.21 a year ago, with a target range of 2.30 to 2.50[14] - Total current assets decreased to $15,994 million in Q3 2025 from $25,025 million in Q3 2024[38] - Total liabilities decreased to $44,401 million in Q3 2025 from $49,524 million in Q3 2024[38] - Cash and temporary cash investments at the end of Q3 2025 were $3,956 million, down from $13,358 million at the end of Q3 2024[40] - Net total debt decreased to $14,276 million from $22,601 million, a reduction of $4,591 million[48] - Long-term debt, including obligations under finance leases, decreased to $16,081 million from $22,414 million, a reduction of $6,333 million[48] Cash Flow and Investments - Net cash provided by operating activities for year-to-date 2025 was $4,658 million, compared to $4,390 million in 2024[40] - Total capital investments, excluding lease buyouts, were $2,863 million, compared to $2,816 million in the previous year[41] - The company plans to continue its $7.5 billion share repurchase program, having completed a $5 billion accelerated share repurchase in Q3 2025[13] - Kroger's capital allocation strategy includes a commitment to pay dividends and invest in long-term sustainable growth, with expected free cash flow of $2.8 to $3.0 billion for FY25[12][15] Margins and Costs - Kroger's gross margin improved to 22.8% in Q3 2025, up from 22.4% in Q3 2024, primarily due to the sale of Kroger Specialty Pharmacy and lower supply chain costs[8][9] - Gross profit for Q3 2025 was $7,735 million, compared to $7,534 million in Q3 2024, resulting in a gross margin of 22.8%[64] - The company recorded LIFO charges of $44 million in Q3 2025, compared to $4 million in Q3 2024[36] - The company reported a LIFO charge of $176 million for the rolling four quarters ended November 8, 2025, compared to $48 million in the previous year[49] Future Outlook - The company expects to achieve identical sales without fuel in the range of 2.8% to 3.0% for FY25, narrowing from the previous guidance of 2.7% to 3.4%[15][19] - The company expects continued challenges in the market, impacting future earnings guidance[56]