Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) vs The Kroger Co. (KR)
KMB leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and The Kroger Co. 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).
KMB
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
$102.29Consumer Defensive
KR
The Kroger Co.
$64.71Consumer Defensive
Total return — KMB vs KR
growth of $100 · last 30yKMB +196.9%KR +1237.0%KR compounded faster
KMB KR
KMB vs KR: by the numbers
- •KR is the larger company ($39.90B vs $33.95B market cap).
- •KMB trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.06 vs 42.02 P/E).
- •KMB converts more revenue to profit (12.81% vs 0.69% net margin).
- •KR grew revenue faster over the past five years (2.19% vs -2.61% CAGR).
- •KMB pays the higher dividend yield (4.97% vs 2.16%).
Which is better, KMB or KR?
Metric tally: KMB 9 · KR 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueKMB(lower P/E)
GrowthKR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKMB(higher dividend yield)
QualityKMB(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | KMB | KR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 16.06● | 42.02 |
| Forward P/E | 13.49 | 11.53● |
| P/S ratio | 2.06 | 0.28● |
| P/B ratio | 18.98 | 6.89● |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.26 | 10.80● |
| FCF yield | 7.56% | 8.64%● |
Profitability
| Metric | KMB | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 35.86%● | 23.30% |
| Operating margin | 13.27%● | 1.28% |
| Net margin | 12.81%● | 0.69% |
| ROE | 117.98%● | 17.14% |
| ROIC | 17.62%● | 4.70% |
Dividends
| Metric | KMB | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.97%● | 2.16% |
| Payout ratio | 83.55% | 89.74% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | KMB | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -2.61% | 2.19%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -2.50%● | -13.96% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.38%● | -2.23% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.94% | 13.20%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, KMB or KR?
- It depends on your goal. value: KMB (lower P/E); growth: KR (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KMB (higher dividend yield); quality: KMB (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, KMB leads 9 to 7.
- Is KMB or KR cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, KMB is cheaper: KMB trades at a 16.06 P/E and KR at 42.02.
- Which has grown faster, KMB or KR?
- Over the past five years, KR grew revenue faster — KMB at a -2.61% CAGR versus KR at 2.19%.
- Does KMB or KR pay a bigger dividend?
- KMB yields 4.97% and KR yields 2.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is KMB or KR more profitable?
- KMB runs the higher net margin — KMB at 12.81% versus KR at 0.69%.
- Which has been the better investment, KMB or KR?
- Over the past 10-year, KR delivered the higher annualized total return — KMB at 1.05% versus KR at 8.00%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Kimberly-Clark P/E ratioKroger P/E ratioKimberly-Clark dividend yieldKroger dividend yieldKimberly-Clark ROEKroger ROEKimberly-Clark operating marginKroger operating marginKimberly-Clark revenue growthKroger revenue growthKimberly-Clark free cash flowKroger free cash flow
Kimberly-Clark & 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 June 13, 2026.