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.
DG
Dollar General Corporation
$123.67Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 2:35 PM EDT
EL
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
$94.34Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 2:35 PM EDT
Total return — DG vs EL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yDG +96.2% (+7.0%/yr)EL +25.2% (+2.3%/yr)DG compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | DG | EL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 16.08 | 188.68 |
| Forward P/E | 15.65 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 0.63 | 2.27 |
| P/B ratio | 2.94 | 8.96 |
| EV / EBITDA | 11.72 | 25.36 |
| FCF yield | 9.90% | 3.86% |
Profitability
| Metric | DG | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 31.16% | 75.50% |
| Operating margin | 5.59% | 5.18% |
| Net margin | 3.90% | 1.21% |
| ROE | 18.34% | 4.78% |
| ROIC | 7.47% | 2.97% |
Dividends
| Metric | DG | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.89% | 1.44% |
| Payout ratio | 30.69% | 280.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DG | EL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Dollar General P/E ratioEstée Lauder Companies P/E ratioDollar General dividend yieldEstée Lauder Companies dividend yieldDollar General ROEEstée Lauder Companies ROEDollar General operating marginEstée Lauder Companies operating marginDollar General revenue growthEstée Lauder Companies revenue growthDollar General free cash flowEstée Lauder Companies free cash flow
Dollar General & Estée Lauder Companies appear in these rankings
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.