Dollar General Corporation (DG) vs The Kroger Co. (KR)

DG leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Dollar General Corporation and The Kroger Co. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — DG vs KR

growth of $100 · last 17y
DG +397.0%KR +452.6%KR compounded faster
05001kStart $10020122015201820212024$497$553
DG KR

DG vs KR: by the numbers

  • KR is the larger company ($39.90B vs $25.32B market cap).
  • DG trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.24 vs 42.02 P/E).
  • DG converts more revenue to profit (3.63% vs 0.69% net margin).
  • DG grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.03% vs 2.19% CAGR).
  • KR pays the higher dividend yield (2.16% vs 2.06%).

Which is better, DG or KR?

Metric tally: DG 11 · KR 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDG(lower P/E)
GrowthDG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKR(higher dividend yield)
QualityDG(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricDGKR
P/E ratio16.2442.02
Forward P/E14.4011.53
P/S ratio0.590.28
P/B ratio2.886.89
PEG ratio0.61
EV / EBITDA13.0710.80
FCF yield11.38%8.64%

Profitability

MetricDGKR
Gross margin30.83%23.30%
Operating margin5.26%1.28%
Net margin3.63%0.69%
ROE17.69%17.14%
ROIC6.64%4.70%

Dividends

MetricDGKR
Dividend yield2.06%2.16%
Payout ratio34.35%89.74%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDGKR
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.03%2.19%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-8.48%-13.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.79%-2.23%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-9.86%13.20%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DG or KR?
It depends on your goal. value: DG (lower P/E); growth: DG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KR (higher dividend yield); quality: DG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DG leads 11 to 5.
Is DG or KR cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DG is cheaper: DG trades at a 16.24 P/E and KR at 42.02.
Which has grown faster, DG or KR?
Over the past five years, DG grew revenue faster — DG at a 5.03% CAGR versus KR at 2.19%.
Does DG or KR pay a bigger dividend?
DG yields 2.06% and KR yields 2.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DG or KR more profitable?
DG runs the higher net margin — DG at 3.63% versus KR at 0.69%.
Which has been the better investment, DG or KR?
Over the past 10-year, KR delivered the higher annualized total return — DG at 3.68% versus KR at 8.00%. 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 June 13, 2026.