Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) vs McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC)

MKC leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.

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 June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Hormel Foods Corporation logo
HRL
Hormel Foods Corporation
$13.62B
$24.75Consumer Defensive
McCormick & Company, Incorporated logo
MKC
McCormick & Company, Incorporated
$13.16B
$48.95Consumer Defensive

Total return — HRL vs MKC

growth of $100 · last 30y
HRL +690.7%MKC +780.4%MKC compounded faster
05001k2k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$791$880
HRL MKC

HRL vs MKC: by the numbers

  • •HRL is the larger company ($13.62B vs $13.16B market cap).
  • •MKC trades at the lower earnings multiple (8.02 vs 29.12 P/E).
  • •MKC converts more revenue to profit (23.12% vs 3.82% net margin).
  • •HRL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.36% vs 3.90% CAGR).
  • •HRL pays the higher dividend yield (4.71% vs 3.80%).

Which is better, HRL or MKC?

Metric tally: HRL 4 · MKC 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMKC(lower P/E)
GrowthHRL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeHRL(higher dividend yield)
QualityMKC(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricHRLMKC
P/E ratio29.128.02●
Forward P/E16.6514.75●
P/S ratio1.12●1.86
P/B ratio1.71●1.89
PEG ratio—8.19
EV / EBITDA15.6014.63●
FCF yield5.08%6.45%●

Profitability

MetricHRLMKC
Gross margin15.72%37.94%●
Operating margin5.75%15.51%●
Net margin3.82%23.12%●
ROE5.87%23.54%●
ROIC4.31%7.93%●

Dividends

MetricHRLMKC
Dividend yield4.71%●3.80%
Payout ratio133.91%63.27%

Growth (annualized)

MetricHRLMKC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.36%●3.90%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-11.68%0.98%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)2.04%3.15%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)-9.78%-9.28%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, HRL or MKC?
It depends on your goal. value: MKC (lower P/E); growth: HRL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: HRL (higher dividend yield); quality: MKC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MKC leads 12 to 4.
Is HRL or MKC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, MKC is cheaper: HRL trades at a 29.12 P/E and MKC at 8.02.
Which has grown faster, HRL or MKC?
Over the past five years, HRL grew revenue faster — HRL at a 4.36% CAGR versus MKC at 3.90%.
Does HRL or MKC pay a bigger dividend?
HRL yields 4.71% and MKC yields 3.80% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is HRL or MKC more profitable?
MKC runs the higher net margin — HRL at 3.82% versus MKC at 23.12%.
Which has been the better investment, HRL or MKC?
Over the past 10-year, MKC delivered the higher annualized total return — HRL at -0.77% versus MKC at 1.73%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full HRL analysisFull MKC analysisInteractive comparison tool

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

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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.