Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR) vs The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL)

DLTR leads on 12 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Dollar Tree, Inc. and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 8, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — DLTR vs EL

growth of $100 · last 30y
DLTR +4074.2%EL +716.6%DLTR compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$4,174$817
DLTR EL

DLTR vs EL: by the numbers

  • EL is the larger company ($29.58B vs $23.75B market cap).
  • DLTR is profitable (6.51% net margin) while EL runs a net loss (-1.67%).
  • EL grew revenue faster over the past five years (0.17% vs -5.13% CAGR).
  • EL pays a dividend (1.66% yield) while DLTR does not currently pay one.

Which is better, DLTR or EL?

Metric tally: DLTR 12 · EL 2

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthEL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityDLTR(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDLTREL
P/E ratio19.16
Forward P/E21.3034.74
P/S ratio1.232.08
P/B ratio6.907.73
PEG ratio10.47
EV / EBITDA13.0219.12
FCF yield6.44%4.16%

Profitability

MetricDLTREL
Gross margin36.71%73.40%
Operating margin8.54%7.56%
Net margin6.51%-1.67%
ROE36.68%-6.21%
ROIC10.69%6.44%

Dividends

MetricDLTREL
Dividend yield1.66%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDLTREL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-5.13%0.17%
EPS CAGR (5Y)1.83%-25.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)1.80%-12.95%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.30%-22.19%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DLTR or EL?
It depends on your goal. growth: EL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: DLTR (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DLTR leads 12 to 2.
Which has grown faster, DLTR or EL?
Over the past five years, EL grew revenue faster — DLTR at a -5.13% CAGR versus EL at 0.17%.
Does DLTR or EL pay a bigger dividend?
EL pays a dividend (1.66% yield) while DLTR does not currently pay one.
Is DLTR or EL more profitable?
DLTR runs the higher net margin — DLTR at 6.51% versus EL at -1.67%.
Which has been the better investment, DLTR or EL?
Over the past 10-year, DLTR delivered the higher annualized total return — DLTR at 2.63% versus EL at 0.47%. 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 July 8, 2026.