克罗格以稳健的盈利报告给分析师留下了深刻的印象

Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) is being sized up on Wall Street after topping Q2 earnings expectations as customer traffic, margins, and the digital business impressed. "We are growing households and increasing customer visits by offering a compelling combination of affordable prices and personalized promotions on great quality products, all through a unique seamless experience," stated Kroger (KR) Chief Executive Rodney McMullen on the quarter.

Bank of America said it sees Kroger (KR) in a good position to navigate a challenging macro backdrop that includes pressured lower-income budgets and signs of trade down for middle/higher incomes because it continues to deliver on value through loyalty rewards, personalized promotions, and fuel rewards. Analyst Robert Ohmes noted that Kroger (KR) also continues to expand its multi-tiered Our Brands portfolio, with 600 new items added already in 2024. The firm reaffirmed its Buy rating and price objective of $70. "We see further support for KR’s market share trends from strong digital and in-store execution, with long-term margin support from growth in alternative profit streams (incl. Retail Media on track to grow >20% this year), improving digital profitability and continued execution on cost savings initiatives," highlighted Ohmes.

Morgan Stanley's post-earnings breakdown on Kroger (KR) was that margins are being well managed within a soft consumer backdrop, but upside appears limited and near-term fundamentals take a back seat to the proposed merger with Albertsons Companies (ACI). As a reminder, the FTC trial is set to end by September 17. The second trial will be in Washington state and is set to begin September 16. The Washington state trial is expected to last two weeks. Finally, the Colorado state challenge will take place shortly after the completion of the Washington trial around September 30. Morgan Stanley stuck with an Equal-weight rating on Kroger (KR) and a price target of $58.

Elsewhere, Oppenheimer highlighted that Kroger (KR) posted a "major upside surprise" on the gross margin line, even in a more promotional grocery backdrop lately. On the cautious side, BMO Capital Markets warned that Kroger's (KR) identical-sales outlook looks either conservative in a mixed macro environment or suggests some elevated expenses are hindering greater EPS upside.

Shares of Kroger (KR) traded flat in the premarket session on Friday after ripping a 7.2% gain on Thursday. The grocery store stock is up almost 21% on a year-to-date basis.