Dollar General Corporation (DG) vs The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL)

A side-by-side comparison of Dollar General Corporation and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnDG vs EL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
DG +96.2% (+7.0%/yr)EL +25.2% (+2.3%/yr)DG compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$196$125
DG EL

DG vs EL: by the numbers

  • EL is the larger company ($34.12B vs $27.28B market cap).
  • DG trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.08 vs 188.68 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • DG converts more revenue to profit (3.90% vs 1.21% net margin).
  • DG grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.32% vs -1.48% CAGR).
  • DG pays the higher dividend yield (1.89% vs 1.44%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDGEL
P/E ratio16.08188.68
Forward P/E15.65N/A
P/S ratio0.632.27
P/B ratio2.948.96
EV / EBITDA11.7225.36
FCF yield9.90%3.86%

Profitability

MetricDGEL
Gross margin31.16%75.50%
Operating margin5.59%5.18%
Net margin3.90%1.21%
ROE18.34%4.78%
ROIC7.47%2.97%

Dividends

MetricDGEL
Dividend yield1.89%1.44%
Payout ratio30.69%280.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDGEL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.32%-1.48%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-8.48%-42.44%
FCF CAGR (5Y)18.33%-15.16%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-9.06%-20.75%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, DG or EL?
DG has the lower trailing P/E: DG trades at 16.08 and EL at 188.68. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, DG or EL?
Over the past five years, DG grew revenue faster — DG at a 5.32% CAGR versus EL at -1.48%.
Does DG or EL pay a bigger dividend?
DG yields 1.89% and EL yields 1.44% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DG or EL more profitable?
DG runs the higher net margin — DG at 3.90% versus EL at 1.21%.
How have DG and EL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, DG delivered 7.30% and EL delivered 2.34% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 13, 2026.