Kroger Co.’s interim leader urged employees to forge ahead following an abrupt exit of his predecessor, according to a recording of an internal meeting viewed by Bloomberg News.

Shares of Kroger fell in premarket trading after the grocery giant gave a disappointing profit forecast for the year just days after the resignation of its longtime chief executive.

KEY TAKEAWAYS Kroger shares are jumping Thursday morning as the grocery chain's better-than-expected quarterly earnings offset a soft outlook.The grocery chain said earlier this week that CEO and Chairman Rodney McMullen had resigned after a probe on his personal conduct.

Kroger anticipates adjusted earnings in the current fiscal year range of $4.60 to $4.80 a share. Analysts were expecting $4.81 a share.