Jefferies analyst Christopher Mandeville downgraded Kroger to Hold from Buy with a price target of $26, down from $29. Following the stock's 15% rally in three months, the analyst is "checking out" as his confidence in Kroger's long-term grocery strategy and management's ability to effectively communicate "wanes." The company's customer fulfillment center strategy is a "costly, time consuming venture" with high risk in a nascent market, Mandeville tells investors in a research note. The analyst also sees no drivers for notable comp progress in fiscal 2020.

Wells Fargo analyst Edward Kelly upgraded Kroger to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $65, up from $58.