KROGER CO (KR)

Consumer Staples · Food Retail · Price $56.93
Updated: Aug 28, 2026
Average Equity Returns
ROE of 10.92% — within the average range Zyberno applies to this type of businesses.
ROE
10.92%
Return on Equity
ROIC
3.34%
Return on Invested Capital
ROA
1.53%
Return on Assets
Debt/Equity
2.79x
Leverage Ratio
Book Value/Share
$9.89
Equity Per Share

🧮 KR ROE Calculation

ROE = Net Income / Shareholders' Equity
Net Income (TTM) $784.0M
Shareholders' Equity $6.5B
Total Debt $18.1B
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 2.79x
ROE (Return on Equity) 10.92%

Understanding ROE

Return on Equity (ROE) measures how efficiently a company generates profits from shareholders' equity. For KR, the current ROE is 10.92%.

Why ROE Matters

Warren Buffett has called ROE one of his favorite metrics because it shows how well management uses shareholders' capital to generate returns. A company that consistently earns 15%+ ROE is typically a well-run business that creates value for shareholders.

High Leverage Warning

KR's debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79x is elevated. High ROE combined with high debt can be a red flag — the company may be using financial leverage to boost returns, which increases risk. Compare to ROIC for a more complete picture.

ROE Benchmarks

Excellent: >20%

Exceptional returns on equity. Often indicates strong competitive advantages. Common in capital-light businesses.

Good: 15-20%

Above-average ROE. Buffett often looks for companies in this range or higher.

Average: 10-15%

Typical for most companies. Returns are reasonable but not exceptional.

Below Average: <10%

May indicate poor capital allocation or challenging business conditions.

The DuPont Analysis

ROE can be decomposed into three components using DuPont analysis:

ROE = Net Margin × Asset Turnover × Equity Multiplier

This breakdown reveals whether high ROE comes from high profitability (good), efficient asset use (good), or high leverage (potentially risky).

ROE vs ROIC: Which is Better?

ROIC: 3.34% →

ROIC measures returns on ALL capital. It's more comprehensive and less affected by leverage. Often considered the better quality metric.

ROE: 10.92%

ROE only measures returns on equity. Can be inflated by high debt. If ROE >> ROIC, the company uses significant leverage.

Owner Earnings: N/A →

Shows actual cash available to owners. Use alongside ROE and ROIC for complete analysis.

Net Income: $784.0M →

The numerator in ROE. Understanding net income trends helps explain ROE changes over time.

What to Look For

📊 Full KR Stock Report

Intrinsic value, margin of safety, DCF valuation, and 250+ metrics.

🏆 KR ROIC

Compare ROE to ROIC — the more comprehensive measure of capital efficiency.

💹 KR P/E Ratio

Analyze valuation relative to earnings and understand market pricing.

👤 KR Owner Earnings

Warren Buffett's preferred measure of true economic earnings available to owners.

💰 KR Net Income

See the earnings that drive ROE calculations.

💵 KR Free Cash Flow

Actual cash generation after capital expenditures.

View Full KR Report Find More Quality Stocks
📊 Valuation Trilogy
Three interconnected metrics built on Owner Earnings
💎
Intrinsic Value
DCF Fair Value
🛡️
Margin of Safety
Valuation Gap
🎯
Expected Return
Projected Annual
Click any metric for full methodology and detailed analysis

Summary: KR Return on Equity

KROGER CO (KR) has a ROE of 10.92%, which Zyberno classifies as average — within the 10–15% range Zyberno considers typical for businesses across industries. Note: with a debt-to-equity of 2.79x, leverage is amplifying these returns — compare with ROIC (3.34%) for a leverage-neutral view. For complete financial analysis, view the full KR stock report on Zyberno.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is KR's current ROE?

KROGER CO's Return on Equity (ROE) is 10.92%. ROE measures the company's profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Is KR's ROE good?

KROGER CO (KR) has a ROE of 10.92%, which Zyberno classifies as average — within the 10–15% range Zyberno considers typical for businesses across industries. Note: with a debt-to-equity of 2.79x, leverage is amplifying these returns — compare with ROIC (3.34%) for a leverage-neutral view.

What is the difference between ROE and ROIC?

ROE measures returns on shareholder equity only, while ROIC measures returns on all invested capital (debt + equity). KR's ROE is 10.92% vs ROIC of 3.34%. ROE can be inflated by high debt, making ROIC often a more reliable quality metric.

Can high ROE be misleading?

Yes, high ROE can be misleading if achieved through high debt. KR's debt-to-equity ratio is 2.79x. Compare ROE to ROIC — if ROE is much higher than ROIC, the company uses significant leverage which adds risk.

📊 Full KR Stock Report

See KR's intrinsic value, margin of safety, DCF valuation, and complete financial analysis with 250+ metrics.

🏆 KR ROIC

Compare to Return on Invested Capital — the most comprehensive measure of capital efficiency.

💹 KR P/E Ratio

Analyze the price-to-earnings ratio and earnings yield as a valuation metric.

🎯 KR Earnings Surprise (SUE)

See whether KR is beating or missing its own earnings trend — Standardized Unexpected Earnings and post-earnings drift.

👤 KR Owner Earnings

Warren Buffett's preferred measure of true economic earnings available to owners.

💰 KR Net Income

See the bottom-line profit that drives return calculations.

📊 KR EPS

Earnings per share — net income on a per-share basis.

View Full KR Report Find More Quality Stocks
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