The Kroger Co.KR
NYSE•Consumer Defensive•Grocery Stores
The Kroger Co. operates as a food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price impact warehouses. Its combination food and drug stores offer natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers, fresh seafood, and organic produce; and its multi-department stores provide apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products, and toys. The company's marketplace stores offer full-service grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty care, and perishable goods, as well as general merchandise, including apparel, home goods, and toys; and its price impact warehouse stores provide grocery, and health and beauty care items, as well as meat, dairy, baked goods, and fresh produce items. It also manufactures and processes food products for sale in its supermarkets and online; and sells fuel through its fuel centers. The company sells its products through its stores, fuel centers, and online platforms. The Kroger Co. was founded in 1883 and is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Kroger Company (The) (KR) reported trailing twelve months revenue of $147.12B as of November 2025, a 1.9% decline year-over-year. Quarterly revenue reached $33.86B, reflecting a contraction in sales.
Kroger Company (The) generated $2.67B in TTM net income, with quarterly EBITDA of $-759.00M. The operating margin contracted from 2.5% to -4.6%, suggesting rising cost pressures or pricing headwinds.
The spread between operating margin (-4.6%) and net margin (-3.9%) indicates tight cost control with minimal non-operating drag. Net margin has narrowed from 1.8% a year ago, reflecting increased costs or interest expense.
KR trades at a P/E of 16.0x (in line with broad market averages) and a P/S of 0.3x. The price-to-book ratio of 6.0x indicates a significant premium over book value.
The company generated $29.00M in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months, a 203.6% increase year-over-year, indicating cash generation ability. The balance sheet shows $51.44B in total assets with $14.55B in long-term debt against $7.04B in stockholders equity for a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.1, a relatively leveraged position. Data based on the most recent quarterly reports.
Competitive analysis based on 21 quarters of fundamental data
Operating margins are under pressure, averaging 2.3%. The business may lack pricing power or face rising costs.'
ROE averages 31.6% but has fluctuated — the competitive advantage may be cyclical or emerging.
7 of the last 8 quarters generated positive FCF. The company generally funds itself but has occasional cash consumption quarters.
Revenue has been flat or declining over recent quarters, which may indicate eroding demand or competitive pressure.
Data-driven red flags and warnings across 21 quarters
The company posted negative operating margins in recent quarters — core operations are unprofitable.
FCF/Net Income has dropped below 0.7x in 4 quarters — monitor for earnings quality deterioration.
D/E ratio of 2.1 is elevated and rising. Monitor for further debt accumulation.
Revenue has softened, declining in 3 quarters. Monitor for further erosion.
Free cash flow is consistently positive — the business self-funds without external capital reliance.
Shares decreased 7.1% — net buybacks are reducing shares outstanding and boosting per-share value.
Quarterly standardized metrics.
Stock price and market valuation
Revenue and earnings growth across quarters
Assets, cash, debt, and leverage
Price multiples and return ratios
Operating efficiency and return metrics
Free cash flow, earnings quality, and capital allocation