Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) vs Smithfield Foods, Inc. (SFD)

SFD leads on 12 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Hormel Foods Corporation and Smithfield Foods, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total returnHRL vs SFD

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 1y
HRL -10.4%SFD +33.9%SFD compounded faster
80100120140Start $1002026$90$134
HRL SFD

HRL vs SFD: by the numbers

  • HRL is the larger company ($14.15B vs $10.08B market cap).
  • SFD trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.01 vs 29.59 P/E).
  • SFD converts more revenue to profit (6.48% vs 3.82% net margin).
  • HRL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.36% vs 0.92% CAGR).
  • HRL pays the higher dividend yield (4.63% vs 4.39%).

Which is better, HRL or SFD?

Metric tally: HRL 3 · SFD 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricHRLSFD
P/E ratio29.5910.01
Forward P/E16.869.67
P/S ratio1.130.65
P/B ratio1.741.47
PEG ratio2.42
EV / EBITDA16.336.64
FCF yield5.00%8.05%

Profitability

MetricHRLSFD
Gross margin15.72%13.44%
Operating margin5.75%8.62%
Net margin3.82%6.48%
ROE5.87%14.69%
ROIC4.31%9.58%

Dividends

MetricHRLSFD
Dividend yield4.63%4.39%
Payout ratio133.91%44.82%

Growth (annualized)

MetricHRLSFD
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.36%0.92%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-11.68%7.75%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-6.83%5.08%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-8.73%

Frequently asked

Which is better, HRL or SFD?
It depends on your goal. value: SFD (lower P/E); growth: HRL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: HRL (higher dividend yield); quality: SFD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SFD leads 12 to 3.
Is HRL or SFD cheaper?
On trailing earnings, SFD is cheaper: HRL trades at a 29.59 P/E and SFD at 10.01.
Which has grown faster, HRL or SFD?
Over the past five years, HRL grew revenue faster — HRL at a 4.36% CAGR versus SFD at 0.92%.
Does HRL or SFD pay a bigger dividend?
HRL yields 4.63% and SFD yields 4.39% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is HRL or SFD more profitable?
SFD runs the higher net margin — HRL at 3.82% versus SFD at 6.48%.

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 16, 2026.