Kroger's 252nd Rank in $430M Trading Volume Highlights Retail Sector's 169th Zacks Struggles

On September 2, 2025, Kroger (KR) closed at $68.64, gaining 1.18% despite broader market declines. The stock ranked 252nd in trading volume with $0.43 billion exchanged, underscoring mixed retail sector dynamics. Analysts highlighted the stock's underperformance against the Retail-Wholesale sector's 4.84% monthly gain, as well as its forward P/E ratio of 14.24—trading at a discount to the industry average of 15.11.

Upcoming earnings on September 11 will be pivotal, with forecasts projecting $1.00 EPS, a 7.53% year-over-year increase. Annual estimates suggest $4.76 per share and $148.81 billion revenue, reflecting modest growth of 6.49% and 1.15%, respectively. Recent analyst revisions have shown slight optimism, with the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate rising 0.09% over the past month. The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), supported by its 2.16 PEG ratio—a valuation metric adjusted for growth expectations.

Market observers noted the Retail - Supermarkets industry's weak positioning, holding a Zacks Industry Rank of 169, placing it in the bottom 32% of sectors. Historical data from Zacks Research indicates that top-ranked industries outperform lower-ranked ones by a 2:1 margin, emphasizing the sector's structural challenges. Investors are advised to monitor short-term forecast revisions, which often precede stock price movements.

Backtesting of the Zacks Rank model from 1988 to 2025 shows #1-rated stocks delivering an average annual return of +25%. While KR does not currently hold a #1 rating, the system's methodology—incorporating earnings estimate revisions and valuation metrics—remains a key focus for strategy alignment.