BUZZ-Kroger falls as CEO resigns

U.S. grocer Kroger Co's KR.N shares down 2.14% at $64.82 premarket

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen steps down from the role after a board investigation found that his personal conduct was inconsistent with the co's "policy on business ethics"

Co says McMullen's conduct is not related to the company's financial performance, operations or reporting

"Markets don't like unanswered questions, and unless Kroger moves fast to reassure them, this transition could add volatility," says Riley Beam, managing attorney at Douglas R. Beam law firm

Updates annual adjusted EPS forecast to be slightly above high-end of prior forecast range

KR stock had risen 6% YTD, as of last close