Kroger Stock Up Slightly After Buyout Report

CINCINNATI -- Kroger‘s stock rose just 0.38%, or 11 cents per share, in yesterday‘s trading following Friday‘s report in the Wall Street Journal that the company could be the target of a leveraged buyout. The chain issued a statement late Friday saying it was not considering a sale to private equity, but a source in the investment community told SN that investment firms were eyeing the company as a possible acquisition target. In yesterday‘s trading -- the markets were closed for Good Friday last week -- Kroger‘s stock closed at $29.22 amid the heavy volume that has been typical of the stock for the past four weeks. Other retailer and wholesaler stocks tracked by SN were mixed in yesterday‘s trading.