The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) vs The Kroger Co. (KR)
A side-by-side comparison of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and The Kroger Co. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 4, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
EL
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
$83.67Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Aug 4, 2026, 9:50 AM EDT
KR
The Kroger Co.
$57.27Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Aug 4, 2026, 9:50 AM EDT
Total return — EL vs KR
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yEL +1124.5%KR +1617.8%KR compounded faster
EL KR
EL vs KR: by the numbers
- •KR is the larger company ($35.09B vs $30.26B market cap).
- •KR is profitable (0.71% net margin) while EL runs a net loss (-1.67%).
- •KR grew revenue faster over the past five years (2.33% vs 0.17% CAGR).
- •KR pays the higher dividend yield (2.40% vs 1.65%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | EL | KR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | N/A | 34.05 |
| Forward P/E | 34.73 | 12.12 |
| P/S ratio | 2.09 | 0.24 |
| P/B ratio | 7.75 | 5.53 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.16 | 10.46 |
| FCF yield | 4.15% | 8.06% |
Profitability
| Metric | EL | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 73.40% | 23.18% |
| Operating margin | 7.56% | 1.33% |
| Net margin | -1.67% | 0.71% |
| ROE | -6.21% | 16.27% |
| ROIC | 6.44% | 4.70% |
Dividends
| Metric | EL | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.65% | 2.40% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 89.74% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | EL | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 0.17% | 2.33% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -25.98% | -13.96% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -12.95% | -1.62% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -22.55% | 8.72% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, EL or KR?
- Over the past five years, KR grew revenue faster — EL at a 0.17% CAGR versus KR at 2.33%.
- Does EL or KR pay a bigger dividend?
- EL yields 1.65% and KR yields 2.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is EL or KR more profitable?
- KR runs the higher net margin — EL at -1.67% versus KR at 0.71%.
- How have EL and KR total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, EL delivered 0.25% and KR delivered 7.98% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Estée Lauder Companies P/E ratioKroger P/E ratioEstée Lauder Companies dividend yieldKroger dividend yieldEstée Lauder Companies ROEKroger ROEEstée Lauder Companies operating marginKroger operating marginEstée Lauder Companies revenue growthKroger revenue growthEstée Lauder Companies free cash flowKroger free cash flow
Estée Lauder Companies & Kroger 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 August 4, 2026.