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Kroger (KR) Stock Gets Price Target Boost from Evercore; the Company Projects 1%–2% Comparable Sales Growth for 2026

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) is included among the 14 Best American Dividend Stocks to Invest in.

On March 9, Evercore ISI analyst Michael Montani raised the firm’s price recommendation on The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) to $83 from $81. The firm reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares.

On March 5, Reuters reported that the company forecast muted annual sales and profit. New CEO Greg Foran is looking to expand market share by focusing on more affordable fresh food and a more responsive delivery service aimed at budget-conscious shoppers. Kroger said it plans to aggressively reinvest savings from tighter sourcing, streamlined processes, and lower costs. The goal is to fund sharper everyday pricing and better service. The approach helped lift the stock about 2% in early trading as investors reacted to the plan.”When you combine competitive prices with strong fresh (food offering) in a well-run store, you drive traffic, you grow baskets and you gain share,” Foran said on an earnings call.

Kroger expects 2026 identical sales, excluding fuel, to grow between 1% and 2%. The midpoint of that range falls short of expectations for 2% growth. The company also projected adjusted earnings per share between $5.10 and $5.30. That range sits slightly below market expectations of $5.29, based on estimates compiled by LSEG.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) operates supermarkets, multi-department stores, and fulfillment centers across the United States. The company runs about 2,731 supermarkets, 2,273 pharmacies, and 1,702 fuel centers in more than 35 states and the District of Columbia. It also operates online through a digital ecosystem designed to give customers an omnichannel shopping experience.

While we acknowledge the potential of KR to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than KR and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading into 2026 and 14 Stocks on the Verge of Becoming Dividend Aristocrats

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