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KR vs PM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Kroger Co. (KR) vs. Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- KR delivered approximately 9% YTD returns amid a leadership transition and analyst scrutiny, while PM achieved over 16% YTD gains driven by smoke-free product momentum.
- Recent weeks saw KR gain around 10% monthly despite a Wells Fargo downgrade, contrasting PM's steady 4-5% monthly rise on strong earnings outlook.
- PM boasts a larger market cap near $291 billion and higher dividend yield of 3.15%, compared to KR's $43 billion cap and 2% yield.
- Both consumer staples stocks exhibit low betas (KR at 0.63, PM at 0.41), signaling defensive positioning in volatile markets.
- PM shows superior recent momentum from ZYN growth and EPS forecasts, while KR faces spending concerns but benefits from eCommerce expansion.
Introduction
This stock comparison between KR (Kroger Co.) and PM (Philip Morris International Inc.) examines two consumer staples giants amid shifting market dynamics. Grocery retailer Kroger offers essential goods stability, while tobacco leader Philip Morris pivots to smoke-free alternatives. Traders seeking defensive plays with dividends and investors eyeing relative performance in a high-interest environment will find value here. Recent market activity highlights contrasts in growth drivers, sentiment, and momentum, aiding informed positioning in stock comparison analysis.
KR Overview and Recent Performance
The Kroger Co. (KR) operates over 2,700 supermarkets, pharmacies, and fuel centers across 35 U.S. states, emphasizing omnichannel grocery and digital services. In recent market activity, shares traded around $68, posting YTD gains of about 9% and monthly advances near 10%. Key influences include a new CEO appointment from Walmart experience, focusing on cost control, alongside eCommerce sales up 17% in recent quarters. However, Wells Fargo's downgrade citing spending and growth worries tempered sentiment, amid competitive price cuts near new rivals. Q3 identical sales rose 2.6% without fuel, supporting adjusted EPS beats, yet impairments pressured overall results. These factors reflect resilient demand for staples but highlight execution risks in retail.
PM Overview and Recent Performance
Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) leads in cigarettes and smoke-free products like IQOS and ZYN nicotine pouches, operating globally outside the U.S. Recent weeks saw shares near $187, with YTD returns exceeding 16% and monthly gains around 5%. Strong performance stems from smoke-free revenue hitting 41.5% of total, over $17 billion annually, fueled by ZYN's rapid scaling and heated tobacco growth. Q4 EPS met estimates at $1.70, with full-year adjusted EPS up 14.8%; 2026 forecasts project 11-13% growth. Analyst targets reach $210 amid margin expansion to 41% EBIT, though regulatory risks linger. This shift underscores sustained momentum in reduced-risk products versus traditional tobacco declines.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
KR and PM both anchor consumer staples but diverge in business models: Kroger's U.S.-centric grocery retail faces thin margins and competition, while Philip Morris leverages global smoke-free transition for higher profitability. Growth drivers contrast sharply—Kroger via eCommerce and identical sales (recent 2-3%), PM through ZYN/IQOS volume surges (12-15%). Recent momentum favors PM's 20%+ yearly gains over KR's 8%, with PM's lower beta (0.41 vs. 0.63) signaling greater stability. Risk factors include KR's spending scrutiny and Albertsons merger overhang versus PM's regulatory hurdles. Sector exposure ties both to defensive staples, but PM's superior market sentiment, reflected in higher price targets and EPS growth, positions it ahead in relative performance and market positioning.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI would currently favor PM over KR, based on stronger trend consistency in smoke-free catalysts, superior YTD and recent momentum, and elevated EPS growth projections amid stable margins. PM's relative positioning in high-growth alternatives offers higher probabilistic upside in the prevailing environment, though KR's staple resilience provides a counterbalance for conservative portfolios.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is KR is a Buy and PM is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
KR’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whilePM’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- KR’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- PM’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
KR’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while PM’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- KR’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
- PM’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
KR (@Food Retail) experienced а -4.07% price change this week, while PM (@Tobacco) price change was +7.64% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food Retail industry was -1.15%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.15%, and the average quarterly price growth was +0.80%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Tobacco industry was +0.38%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.12%, and the average quarterly price growth was +0.04%.
Reported Earning Dates
KR is expected to report earnings on Jun 11, 2026.
PM is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Food Retail (-1.15% weekly)The food retail industry includes companies that sell food, beverage and household products. Items sold include grocery, gourmet food, fresh produce, and frozen food. Kroger Co., George Weston Ltd., Grocery Outlet Holding Corp., and Sprouts Farmers Markets, Inc. are examples of major food retailers. While e-commerce companies like Amazon have increasingly been ramping-up offerings in the food retail space, several traditional players have also been expanding their online presence to stand their ground against rising competition.
@Tobacco (+0.38% weekly)The industry is engaged in the growth, preparation for sale, advertisement, and distribution of tobacco and tobacco-related products like cigarettes. In 2017, tobacco companies spent an estimated $9.36 billion marketing cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the U.S. – an amount that translates to more than $25 million each day (according to a CDC report). Philip Morris International Inc., Altria Group Inc., and British American Tobacco plc are some major cigar makers. In recent times, vaping or the use of e-cigarette (does not burn tobacco) is gaining momentum – several established cigarette makers are trying to expand their footprint in this new market.
| KR | PM | KR / PM | |
| Capitalization | 39.7B | 284B | 14% |
| EBITDA | 5.76B | 17.9B | 32% |
| Gain YTD | 4.233 | 14.548 | 29% |
| P/E Ratio | 42.08 | 25.64 | 164% |
| Revenue | 148B | 41.5B | 357% |
| Total Cash | 4.58B | 5.45B | 84% |
| Total Debt | 24.7B | 51.9B | 48% |
KR | PM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 65 | 17 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 27 Undervalued | 30 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 29 | 12 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 58 | 3 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 60 | 52 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 8 | 51 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 85 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
KR's Valuation (27) in the Food Retail industry is in the same range as PM (30) in the Tobacco industry. This means that KR’s stock grew similarly to PM’s over the last 12 months.
PM's Profit vs Risk Rating (12) in the Tobacco industry is in the same range as KR (29) in the Food Retail industry. This means that PM’s stock grew similarly to KR’s over the last 12 months.
PM's SMR Rating (3) in the Tobacco industry is somewhat better than the same rating for KR (58) in the Food Retail industry. This means that PM’s stock grew somewhat faster than KR’s over the last 12 months.
PM's Price Growth Rating (52) in the Tobacco industry is in the same range as KR (60) in the Food Retail industry. This means that PM’s stock grew similarly to KR’s over the last 12 months.
KR's P/E Growth Rating (8) in the Food Retail industry is somewhat better than the same rating for PM (51) in the Tobacco industry. This means that KR’s stock grew somewhat faster than PM’s over the last 12 months.
| KR | PM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 48% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 48% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 56% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 42% | 2 days ago 60% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 49% | 2 days ago 56% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 56% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 57% | 6 days ago 56% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 16 days ago 48% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 49% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 44% | 2 days ago 54% |
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| TTT | 69.02 | 1.25 | +1.85% |
| ProShares UltraPro Short 20+ Year Trs | |||
| QDTE | 31.55 | 0.13 | +0.41% |
| Roundhill Innovt-100 0DTE CovCllStratETF | |||
| IWM | 285.33 | 1.16 | +0.41% |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | |||
| BBBS | 51.06 | -0.05 | -0.09% |
| BondBloxx BBB Rated 1-5 Yr Corp Bd ETF | |||
| MHNC | 13.31 | -0.44 | -3.20% |
| MAIDEN HOLDINGS NORTH AMERICA Ltd | |||
KR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KR has been loosely correlated with ACI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 56% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KR jumps, then ACI could also see price increases.