• 
• See all for Dividend.com
• View Print Version

• Best Dividend Stocks
• High-Yield Dividend Stocks
• Ex-Dividend Calendar

• KR 100% Rate It

Supermarket chain operator The Kroger Co. ( KR ) on Thursday posted better-than-expected fiscal first quarter earnings results, lifted its full-year outlook, and announced a $1 billion share buyback.

The Cincinnati-based company reported fiscal first quarter net income of $439.4 million, or 78 cents per share, compared with $432.3 million, or 70 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

Net sales rose 5.8% from last year to $29.1 billion.

On average, Wall Street analysts expected a smaller profit of 72 cents per share, albeit on slightly higher revenue of $29.2 billion.

Looking ahead, Kroger said it now expects full-year 2012 earnings to range from $2.33 to $2.40 per share, up from a prior outlook of $2.28 to $2.38. Analysts currently expect $2.32 per share for the year.

In a separate announcement, the company said its board of directors has approved a new $1 billion share repurchase plan.

Kroger shares rose 81 cents, or +3.8%, in premarket trading Thursday.

The Bottom Line
Shares of Kroger ( KR ) have a 2.13% dividend yield, based on last night's closing stock price of $21.29. The stock has technical support in the $19-$20 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $23-$24 price levels.

The Kroger Co. ( KR ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

Related Stocks Articles

• 
  Video Game Sales Plunge in April - Analyst Blog
  5/24/2013 05:26 PM
• 
  Promising Data on ONCY's Reolysin - Analyst Blog
  5/24/2013 05:26 PM
• 
  How to Beat THIS Market - Weekend Wisdom
  5/24/2013 05:26 PM