Ingles Markets (IMKTA) vs Kroger (KR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Ingles Markets (IMKTA) has outperformed Kroger (KR) over the past year, gaining 19.6% versus a loss of 11.4%. Over five years, KR leads with a +53.5% price change compared with +27.0% for IMKTA. Kroger is the larger company by market cap ($34.99 billion vs $1.62 billion), about 21.6 times the size.
On valuation, Kroger trades at a lower forward P/E (10.8x vs 18.1x for Ingles Markets). Kroger offers the higher dividend yield (2.43% vs 0.77%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | IMKTA | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $85.17 | $59.25 |
| Market cap | $1.62B | $34.99B |
| 1-day change | -0.29% | +1.44% |
| YTD return | +24.25% | -5.17% |
| 1-year return | +19.60% | -11.41% |
| 5-year return | +27.02% | +53.54% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.57 | 32.38 |
| Forward P/E | 18.12 | 10.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.47 | $1.83 |
| Dividend yield | 0.77% | 2.43% |
| Annual dividend | $0.66 | $1.44 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $147.64B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +0.35% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $1.02B |
| Gross margin | — | 23.30% |
| Operating margin | — | 1.28% |
| Net margin | — | 0.69% |
| 52-week high | $95.62 | $76.58 |
| 52-week low | $67.11 | $54.15 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.93% | -22.63% |
| Analyst consensus | — | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | — | +15.31% |
| Average volume | 114.61K | 7.14M |
| Shares outstanding | 14.55M | 590.59M |
| Employees | 12,152 | 400,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| Industry | Food Chains | Food Chains |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Kroger is about 21.6 times larger than Ingles Markets by market value ($34.99B vs $1.62B).
- IMKTA has outperformed KR by 31.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Kroger trades at a higher earnings multiple (32.4x vs 15.6x trailing P/E).
- Kroger offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.43% vs 0.77%).
About Ingles Markets
IMKTA stock →Ingles Markets, Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, operates a chain of supermarkets in the United States. The company offers food products, such as grocery, meat, and dairy products, produce, frozen food, and other perishables; and non-food products, which include fuel centers, pharmacies, health and beauty care products, and general merchandise, as well as private label items, organic, and locally sourced items.
Consumer Staples · Food Chains · 12,152 employees
About Kroger
KR stock →The Kroger Co. operates as a food and drug retailer in the United States.
Consumer Staples · Food Chains · 400,000 employees
IMKTA vs KR FAQ
Which is bigger, Ingles Markets or Kroger?
Kroger (KR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $34.99B compared with $1.62B for Ingles Markets (IMKTA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, IMKTA or KR?
IMKTA returned +19.60% over the past 12 months, compared with -11.41% for KR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, IMKTA or KR?
IMKTA has the lower trailing P/E at 15.6, versus 32.4 for KR. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Ingles Markets or Kroger?
Kroger has the higher yield at 2.43%, compared with 0.77% for Ingles Markets.
Are Ingles Markets and Kroger in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Food Chains industry within the Consumer Staples sector.