Wells Fargo Adjusts Kroger (NYSE:KR) Rating and Price Target

Core Viewpoint - Wells Fargo has adjusted its rating for Kroger to "Overweight" while lowering its price target from $78 to $70 amid mixed financial performance and strategic challenges [1][6] Financial Performance - Kroger's Q3 results indicated a decline in stock price despite continuing to beat earnings per share (EPS) expectations, with revenue increasing by 0.7% year-over-year to $33.86 billion [2][6] - The adjusted full-year EPS guidance of $4.75-4.80 fell slightly below analyst expectations, contributing to the stock's decline [2] Sales and Consumer Behavior - Identical sales, excluding fuel, rose by 2.6%, showing a slowdown from Q2, attributed to macroeconomic uncertainties, reduced SNAP benefits, and cautious spending by middle and lower-income households [3] - Consumers are opting for smaller, more frequent shopping trips and cutting back on discretionary spending, although categories like food, private-label, and ready-to-eat remain strong [3] Margin and Share Repurchase - Kroger's gross margin improved by 40 basis points to 22.8%, driven by reduced shrinkage, improved supply chain costs, and a strong private-label mix [4] - The company's management is actively repurchasing shares, raising concerns about increasing leverage and doubled interest costs, leading to questions about the sustainability of this approach [4] Stock Performance - Kroger's stock price decreased by 4.62% or $3.06, currently priced at $63.14, with fluctuations between a low of $60.96 and a high of $64.25 on the same day [5] - Over the past year, the stock reached a high of $74.90 and a low of $57.69, with a market capitalization of approximately $41.84 billion and a trading volume of 21.43 million shares [5]