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The Kroger Co. (KR) reported its third-quarter fiscal 2025 results on [Insert Date], revealing adjusted earnings of $1.05 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.04 and up from 98 cents in the previous year. Total sales for the quarter reached $33.9 billion, a slight increase from $33.6 billion year-over-year, but fell short of the consensus estimate of $34.3 billion. E-commerce sales surged by 17% year-over-year.
Kroger’s gross margin improved to 22.8%, up from 22.4% a year ago, driven by operational efficiencies. The company reported an adjusted FIFO operating profit of $1,089 million, up from $1,017 million previously, while the GAAP operating loss was $1,541 million compared to an operating profit of $828 million last year. As of the end of the quarter, Kroger held $3,956 million in cash and total debt of $18,010 million.
Kroger narrowed its guidance for identical sales growth without fuel to 2.8%-3.0% and expects adjusted earnings per share to be between $4.75 and $4.80 for the fiscal year. The company has initiated a $5 billion accelerated share buyback program, part of a larger $7.5 billion buyback plan, with $2.5 billion remaining to be repurchased by the end of fiscal 2025.
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