Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) vs McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC)
A side-by-side comparison of Hormel Foods Corporation and McCormick & Company, Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
HRL
Hormel Foods Corporation
$20.57Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
MKC
McCormick & Company, Incorporated
$51.32Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — HRL vs MKC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yHRL -27.2% (-3.1%/yr)MKC +29.8% (+2.6%/yr)MKC compounded faster over this window
HRL MKC
HRL vs MKC: by the numbers
- •MKC is the larger company ($13.80B vs $11.32B market cap).
- •MKC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (8.54 vs 32.65 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MKC converts more revenue to profit (22.05% vs 2.82% net margin).
- •MKC grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.15% vs 3.25% CAGR).
- •HRL pays the higher dividend yield (5.60% vs 3.70%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | HRL | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 32.65 | 8.54 |
| Forward P/E | 13.84 | 16.63 |
| P/S ratio | 0.93 | 1.87 |
| P/B ratio | 1.44 | 1.97 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.77 | 13.24 |
| FCF yield | 6.90% | 7.15% |
Profitability
| Metric | HRL | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 15.68% | 38.62% |
| Operating margin | 4.72% | 15.34% |
| Net margin | 2.82% | 22.05% |
| ROE | 4.37% | 23.28% |
| ROIC | 3.16% | 6.16% |
Dividends
| Metric | HRL | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 5.60% | 3.70% |
| Payout ratio | 185.32% | 31.45% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | HRL | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.25% | 4.15% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -12.47% | 0.98% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -6.83% | -1.93% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -10.20% | -7.71% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, HRL or MKC?
- MKC has the lower trailing P/E: HRL trades at 32.65 and MKC at 8.54. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, HRL or MKC?
- Over the past five years, MKC grew revenue faster — HRL at a 3.25% CAGR versus MKC at 4.15%.
- Does HRL or MKC pay a bigger dividend?
- HRL yields 5.60% and MKC yields 3.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is HRL or MKC more profitable?
- MKC runs the higher net margin — HRL at 2.82% versus MKC at 22.05%.
- How have HRL and MKC total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, HRL delivered -2.73% and MKC delivered 2.61% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Hormel Foods P/E ratioMcCormick P/E ratioHormel Foods dividend yieldMcCormick dividend yieldHormel Foods ROEMcCormick ROEHormel Foods operating marginMcCormick operating marginHormel Foods revenue growthMcCormick revenue growthHormel Foods free cash flowMcCormick free cash flow
Hormel Foods & McCormick 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 11, 2026.