Accident Compensation Corp bought a new position in shares of Kroger Co (NYSE:KR) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 195,524 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,179,000. Kroger comprises 1.5% of Accident Compensation Corp’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest position.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. First United Bank Trust raised its position in Kroger by 26.1% in the fourth quarter. First United Bank Trust now owns 20,515 shares of the company’s stock worth $858,000 after buying an additional 4,240 shares during the period. Regentatlantic Capital LLC raised its position in Kroger by 2.9% in the fourth quarter. Regentatlantic Capital LLC now owns 9,407 shares of the company’s stock worth $394,000 after buying an additional 269 shares during the period. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Kroger by 6.1% in the fourth quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. now owns 6,958 shares of the company’s stock worth $291,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the period. HL Financial Services LLC raised its position in Kroger by 11.7% in the fourth quarter. HL Financial Services LLC now owns 47,655 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,993,000 after buying an additional 4,980 shares during the period. Finally, Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC raised its position in Kroger by 21.1% in the fourth quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC now owns 10,161 shares of the company’s stock worth $425,000 after buying an additional 1,768 shares during the period.

Shares of Kroger Co (NYSE:KR) opened at 38.81 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $37.83 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.20. Kroger Co has a one year low of $27.32 and a one year high of $42.75. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $40.36 and a 200-day moving average price of $38.11.

Kroger (NYSE:KR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 3rd. The company reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.04. The firm earned $25.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $25.24 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.69 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Kroger Co will post $2.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 15th will be given a $0.105 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 10th. This represents a $0.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.08%.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Credit Suisse decreased their target price on Kroger from $40.00 to $36.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 22nd. Vetr upgraded Kroger from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $40.27 target price for the company in a report on Monday, January 11th. Oppenheimer lifted their target price on Kroger from $42.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 6th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $45.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a report on Tuesday, January 5th. Finally, Guggenheim lifted their target price on Kroger from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 23rd. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. The company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $43.10.

In other news, VP Lynn Marmer sold 4,698 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.10, for a total value of $197,785.80. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 81,273 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,421,593.30. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Kevin M. Dougherty sold 30,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.02, for a total transaction of $1,200,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 152,758 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,113,375.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) operates retail food and drug stores, multi-department stores, jewelry stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States. The Company also manufactures and processes some of the food for sale in its supermarkets. The Company operated, either directly or through its subsidiaries, approximately 2,625 supermarkets and multi-department stores, approximately 1,330 of which had fuel centers. Approximately 48% of these supermarkets were operated in Company-owned facilities, including some Company-owned buildings on leased land. The Company operates its 2,640 supermarket and multi-department stores under banners, including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. Of these stores, 1,330 have fuel centers. The Company also operates 782 convenience stores, either directly or through franchisees, 326 fine jewelry stores and an online retailer.

12 Month Chart for NYSE:KR

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