Kroger Stock Surges as Former Walmart Executive Steps In

Core Viewpoint - Kroger Co has appointed former Walmart executive Greg Foran as its new CEO, leading to a 7.7% increase in its share price to $72.67, following the ousting of former CEO Rodney McMullen due to ethical concerns [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Kroger's shares are on track for their largest single-day percentage gain since June, with a year-to-date increase of 16.3% [2] - The stock reached its highest level since August, surpassing the resistance of its 200-day moving average, which had previously limited gains in November and December [2] - The increase in stock price may be partially due to short covering, with 31.33 million shares sold short, representing 5.4% of the available float, equating to nearly a week's worth of buying power [2] Group 2: Options Activity - At the International Securities Exchange, Cboe Options Exchange, and NASDAQ OMX PHLX, Kroger's 50-day call/put volume ratio of 4.93 indicates a significantly more bullish sentiment among options traders compared to the past year [3] - Today's options activity shows 2,314 puts traded, which is three times the intraday average volume, against 3,779 calls [3] - The most actively traded contract is the April 65 put, with new positions being sold to open [3]