Kroger price target lowered to $52 from $57 at Stephens

Stephens analyst Ben Bienvenu lowered the firm’s price target on Kroger (KR) to $52 from $57 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. While stating that Kroger is "producing steadily solid results" and appears to be looking at "another strong year for the business," the firm thinks the stock "holds tight in a holding pattern" until there is more clarity on the company’s pending merger with Albertsons (ACI).