Kroger (KR): analysis in plain words
Is Kroger cheap or expensive? How it makes money, whether it grows and its risks, explained in plain words and with its official accounts.
Kroger (KR) is listed on the NYSE and we classify it in retail. Below are its key dated figures, how it makes money, how it compares with its sector, what works for and against Kroger according to those figures, and the questions people ask most about the stock. No buy or sell tips.
Kroger (KR) key figures as of November 4, 2026
| Figure | Value | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $68.97 | Last price on November 4, 2026 |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 38.3x | Price over earnings per share |
| Revenue growth | +2.0% | Latest quarter vs the same quarter a year earlier |
| Net margin (TTM) | 0.7% | Profit for every 100 of sales |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 2.8x | Years of operating profit to repay debt |
| Dividend yield | 2.34% | Annual dividend over price |
| Market cap | $40.7 billion | What the stock market values it at |
The Kroger figures come from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026. Any KR figure that is not available shows as N/A: we do not estimate it.
How Kroger makes money
Kroger is a U.S. supermarket chain operating under banners such as Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter and King Soopers. Beyond groceries, it fills prescriptions at in-store pharmacies, sells fuel at its gas stations and pushes its own private labels, including Simple Truth and Private Selection.
Over the last 12 months, Kroger brought in revenue of $149.3 billion. For every 100 it sells, Kroger keeps 23.9 after the direct cost of what it sells (gross margin) and 3.0 after all operating costs (operating margin). With 400,000 full-time employees, that is about $373,000 of revenue per employee.
Kroger against its sector
To know whether a Kroger figure is high or low you have to put it next to similar companies. This table compares Kroger with the median of the 18 retail companies Fintols covers, with data as of November 4, 2026.
| Figure | Kroger | retail median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E | 38.3x | 26.2x (18) |
| Revenue growth | +2.0% | +7.1% (18) |
| Net margin | 0.7% | 7.2% (18) |
| Dividend yield | 2.34% | 0.78% (18) |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 2.8x | 1.5x (18) |
In short, against the typical retail company, Kroger trades on a higher P/E, grows more slowly and earns a thinner margin. By size, Kroger ranks number 15 of 17 retail companies quoted in USD on Fintols.
The bull case for Kroger
These are the strengths in the Kroger figures as of November 4, 2026:
- Analysts expect Kroger earnings to rise: its P/E on the next 12 months of estimated earnings is 12.6x, below the current 38.3x.
- Kroger generates real cash: $2.5 billion of free cash flow over 12 months, 6.2% of its stock market value.
The main risk for Kroger
The price already assumes a lot: Kroger trades at 38.3x its last 12 months of earnings, against 26.2x for the retail median. If growth disappoints, the multiple can shrink and the share price with it.
On top of that: kroger runs on a thin net margin (0.7%, against a retail median of 7.2%): a rise in costs can easily wipe out profit.
And, like the rest of retail, Kroger is exposed to price competition, which keeps margins thin, and a slowdown in consumer spending.
Frequently asked questions about Kroger
Is it a good time to buy Kroger stock?
Fintols does not tell you whether to buy or sell Kroger, and nobody knows what the price will do tomorrow. What we can show you is where it stands today. As of November 4, 2026, Kroger stock trades at $68.97, 10% below its 52-week high ($76.58) and 27% above its low ($54.15). Its P/E is 38.3x against a retail median of 26.2x, and 12.6x on the earnings analysts expect over the next 12 months. With Kroger, as with any stock, timing matters less than understanding the business, investing for the long run and not betting everything on a single company.
Does Kroger pay a dividend?
Yes. As of November 4, 2026, Kroger pays $1.56 per share a year, which at today's price is a yield of 2.34%. It uses 78% of its profit to pay it. Its average dividend yield over the last five years is 2.01%. The retail median on Fintols is 0.78%.
Is Kroger stock expensive?
It depends on what you compare it with. On P/E, Kroger trades at 38.3x its last 12 months of earnings: more expensive than the retail median (26.2x). Including its debt, Kroger is valued at 7.7x its EBITDA (EV/EBITDA). A high P/E alone does not make Kroger expensive: it can be justified if earnings grow fast, and a low one can reflect a business in trouble.
Who are Kroger's competitors?
On Fintols we compare Kroger with Ross Stores, Sea Limited and Dollar General, which are also in retail. As of November 4, 2026, Ross Stores is worth $78.8 billion and trades on a P/E of 29.7; Sea Limited is worth $49.1 billion and trades on a P/E of 31.0; Dollar General is worth $31.2 billion and trades on a P/E of 18.4. Each has a side-by-side comparison with Kroger below.
Kroger competitors
- Ross Stores (ROST) analysis · Kroger vs Ross Stores comparison
- Sea Limited (SE) analysis · Kroger vs Sea Limited comparison
- Dollar General (DG) analysis · Kroger vs Dollar General comparison
To understand Kroger better
- Economic Moats Explained: From Warren Buffett to AI
- P/E Ratio and EPS Explained: How to Read Them Without Traps
More companies like Kroger: retail stocks and S&P 500 companies. Open the full KR analysis with its valuation and scenarios. Educational content about Kroger, not investment advice.