Kroger earnings date and guidance
Kroger's next results are expected on December 3, 2026. Watch whether sales, operating profit and cash improve together.
What has Kroger guided for fiscal 2026?
For fiscal 2026, management guides to identical sales growth of 0.2%–0.8% and adjusted EPS of $5.10–$5.30. It targets free cash flow of $2,700–$2,900 million, adjusted FIFO operating profit of $5,000–$5,200 million and $400 million of eCommerce operating-profit improvement.
Its fiscal 2026 capital-expenditure plan is $3,800 million–$4,000 million. Capital expenditure buys assets intended to serve customers for years, such as refrigeration, equipment and systems. A remodeled supermarket succeeds only if better availability and an easier trip bring back enough business and savings to justify the investment.
| The period guided | Low | High | The date it was given | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identical Sales without fuel | Fiscal 2026 | 0.2% | 0.8% | Sep 11, 2026 |
| FIFO Operating Profit | Fiscal 2026 | 5,000 | 5,200 | Sep 11, 2026 |
| EPS | Fiscal 2026 | 5.10 | 5.30 | Sep 11, 2026 |
| Free Cash Flow | Fiscal 2026 | 2,700 | 2,900 | Sep 11, 2026 |
| Cap Ex | Fiscal 2026 | 3,800 | 4,000 | Sep 11, 2026 |
| eCommerce operating profit improvement | Fiscal 2026 | 400 | 400 | Mar 5, 2026 |
Did Kroger keep its past promises?
Finally, Kroger must prove that cost control is strengthening the grocery business. Management said online fulfillment would become profitable in 2026, and September results showed improving profitability. But it also reduced its 2026 identical-sales forecast from 1.0%–2.0% to 0.2%–0.8%. Identical sales track established stores rather than growth from new locations. Profit can rise through savings or buybacks while the underlying stores grow slowly.
What have Kroger's last eight quarters shown?
Cash was weaker too. Operating cash fell to $1,311 million, while capital spending rose to $1,144 million. Free cash flow consequently dropped to $167 million. Management lowered full-year identical-sales guidance to 0.2%–0.8% but retained its adjusted EPS guidance of $5.10–$5.30, relying on savings, pharmacy margins, e-commerce, media and repurchases.
| Aug 2026 | May 2026 | Jan 2026 | Nov 2025 | Aug 2025 | May 2025 | Feb 2025 | Nov 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 34,621 | 46,121 | 34,725 | 33,859 | 33,940 | 45,118 | 34,308 | 33,634 |
| Gross margin | 22.4% | 22.7% | 23.1% | 22.8% | 22.5% | 23.0% | 22.7% | 22.4% |
| Operating income | 971 | 1,407 | 1,246 | -1,541 | 863 | 1,322 | 912 | 828 |
| Net income | 641 | 903 | 861 | -1,320 | 609 | 866 | 634 | 618 |
| EPS, diluted | 1.05 | 1.46 | 1.35 | -2.02 | 0.91 | 1.29 | 0.90 | 0.84 |
| = Free cash flow | 167 | 481 | 1,707 | 29 | 615 | 1,105 | 520 | -28 |
What this means. Kroger's first quarter lasts 16 weeks while the other quarters last 12 weeks, so its sales are not directly comparable.
What should I watch in Kroger's next results?
Investors should watch for a produce recovery, evidence that pharmacy pricing is hurting revenue more than profit, and cash generation strong enough to support the remaining repurchases. The decisive result will be sales, operating profit and cash improving together while Kroger pays its transformation costs and prepares for Giant Eagle’s expected 2027 closing.