Kroger $KR beats Q2 profit targets with $1.09 adjusted EPS, but trims full-year identical sales guidance to under 1%! KEY HIGHLIGHTS: • Full-year identical sales guidance cut to 0.2%–0.8% following headwinds from Cyclospora and inflation • High-margin e-commerce sales surged 20%, helping maintain full-year adjusted EPS guidance of $5.10–$5.30 • Profitability holds steady despite top-line sales softness across brick-and-mortar stores THE RATING: Strong 20% e-commerce growth and steady full-year EPS guidance balance against trimming identical sales targets, keeping the Seeking Alpha Quant score for $KR at a HOLD. Does 20% e-commerce growth make Kroger $KR a safe defensive pick, or does the identical sales slowdown keep you on the sidelines? Drop your take below! ▻