Loop Capital Markets analyst Andrew Wolf reiterated a Hold rating on Kroger Co , with a price target of $32. The analysts sees annual earnings of just under $122 million and an EPS of $2.22 are estimated for fiscal 2017. The analyst believes Wal-Mart Stores Inc “has the most meaningful competitive effect on the supermarket industry,” and elaborated in a note on how its gains will lower that of competitors. “Wal-Mart is taking share back from grocers at an accelerating rate,” said Wolf. First-quarter same-store sales grew 2 percent, a three-year best. Wal-Mart U.S. grocery sales also outperformed U.S. grocers by 2.9 percent. In 2016's Q4, outperformance was 1.6 percent. The last time Wal-Mart outperformed supermarkets was 2009–2010, making the last two quarters a major inflection point.Read more