Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) vs The J. M. Smucker Company (SJM)

HRL leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Hormel Foods Corporation and The J. M. Smucker Company 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).

Total return — HRL vs SJM

growth of $100 · last 30y
HRL +690.7%SJM +480.7%HRL compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$791$581
HRL SJM

HRL vs SJM: by the numbers

  • HRL is the larger company ($13.62B vs $12.42B market cap).
  • HRL is profitable (3.82% net margin) while SJM runs a net loss (-1.53%).
  • HRL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.36% vs 2.49% CAGR).
  • HRL pays the higher dividend yield (4.71% vs 3.78%).

Which is better, HRL or SJM?

Metric tally: HRL 10 · SJM 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthHRL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeHRL(higher dividend yield)
QualityHRL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricHRLSJM
P/E ratio29.12
Forward P/E16.6511.69
P/S ratio1.121.37
P/B ratio1.712.24
EV / EBITDA15.6036.76
FCF yield5.08%9.30%

Profitability

MetricHRLSJM
Gross margin15.72%33.53%
Operating margin5.75%3.98%
Net margin3.82%-1.53%
ROE5.87%-2.50%
ROIC4.31%2.53%

Dividends

MetricHRLSJM
Dividend yield4.71%3.78%
Payout ratio133.91%

Growth (annualized)

MetricHRLSJM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.36%2.49%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-11.68%9.57%
FCF CAGR (5Y)2.04%-1.68%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-9.78%0.30%

Frequently asked

Which is better, HRL or SJM?
It depends on your goal. growth: HRL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: HRL (higher dividend yield); quality: HRL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, HRL leads 10 to 5.
Which has grown faster, HRL or SJM?
Over the past five years, HRL grew revenue faster — HRL at a 4.36% CAGR versus SJM at 2.49%.
Does HRL or SJM pay a bigger dividend?
HRL yields 4.71% and SJM yields 3.78% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is HRL or SJM more profitable?
HRL runs the higher net margin — HRL at 3.82% versus SJM at -1.53%.
Which has been the better investment, HRL or SJM?
Over the past 10-year, SJM delivered the higher annualized total return — HRL at -0.77% versus SJM at 1.00%. 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 June 13, 2026.