ACI vs. K: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ACI and K, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
K’s market capitalization of 27.76 billion USD is significantly greater than ACI’s 12.63 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
With betas of 0.31 for ACI and 0.30 for K, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | ACI | K |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Albertsons Companies, Inc. | Kellanova |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Consumer Defensive | Consumer Defensive |
| Industry | Grocery Stores | Food Confectioners |
| CEO | Susan D. Morris | Steven A. Cahillane |
| Price | 21.93 USD | 80 USD |
| Market Cap | 12.63 billion USD | 27.76 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.31 | 0.30 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | June 26, 2020 | January 8, 1952 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ACI and K by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ACI
30.23%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 41.83%
- Q3
- 33.21%
- Median
- 17.57%
- Q1
- 4.85%
- Min
- -1.90%
ACI’s Return on Equity of 30.23% is on par with the norm for the Grocery Stores industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
K
37.69%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 37.69%
- Q3
- 37.49%
- Median
- 25.36%
- Q1
- 12.55%
- Min
- 10.29%
In the upper quartile for the Food Confectioners industry, K’s Return on Equity of 37.69% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
ACI
6.91%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 9.72%
- Q3
- 6.86%
- Median
- 5.47%
- Q1
- 3.42%
- Min
- 1.05%
In the upper quartile for the Grocery Stores industry, ACI’s Return on Invested Capital of 6.91% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
K
13.27%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 17.71%
- Q3
- 14.38%
- Median
- 9.80%
- Q1
- -20.38%
- Min
- -72.51%
K’s Return on Invested Capital of 13.27% is in line with the norm for the Food Confectioners industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
ACI
1.19%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 5.53%
- Q3
- 3.00%
- Median
- 1.73%
- Q1
- 1.16%
- Min
- -1.36%
ACI’s Net Profit Margin of 1.19% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Grocery Stores industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
K
10.92%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 15.32%
- Q3
- 13.13%
- Median
- 11.66%
- Q1
- 10.66%
- Min
- 9.88%
K’s Net Profit Margin of 10.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Food Confectioners industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
ACI
2.05%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 4.30%
- Q3
- 3.63%
- Median
- 2.32%
- Q1
- 1.32%
- Min
- 0.87%
ACI’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.05% is around the midpoint for the Grocery Stores industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
K
15.12%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 21.20%
- Q3
- 17.05%
- Median
- 15.39%
- Q1
- 14.29%
- Min
- 11.79%
K’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.12% is around the midpoint for the Food Confectioners industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ACI | K |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.23% | 37.69% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.58% | 8.92% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 6.91% | 13.27% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.19% | 10.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.05% | 15.12% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.06% | 36.20% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ACI
0.90
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 1.25
- Q3
- 1.20
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.90
ACI’s Current Ratio of 0.90 falls into the lower quartile for the Grocery Stores industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
K
0.80
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 1.59
- Q3
- 1.20
- Median
- 0.80
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.61
K’s Current Ratio of 0.80 aligns with the median group of the Food Confectioners industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ACI
4.19
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 4.19
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.12
ACI’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Grocery Stores industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.19. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
K
1.59
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 1.59
- Q3
- 1.40
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.01
K’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Food Confectioners industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.59. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ACI
3.59
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 24.50
- Q3
- 16.36
- Median
- 5.08
- Q1
- 3.73
- Min
- -0.63
In the lower quartile for the Grocery Stores industry, ACI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.59 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
K
6.56
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 12.63
- Q3
- 11.88
- Median
- 11.13
- Q1
- 8.85
- Min
- 6.56
In the lower quartile for the Food Confectioners industry, K’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.56 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ACI | K |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 0.90 | 0.80 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.22 | 0.52 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 4.19 | 1.59 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.53 | 0.40 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 3.97 | 2.51 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.59 | 6.56 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ACI and K. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ACI
2.46%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.38%
- Median
- 1.48%
- Q1
- 0.26%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.46%, ACI offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Grocery Stores industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
K
2.85%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 3.28%
- Q3
- 2.98%
- Median
- 2.80%
- Q1
- 2.16%
- Min
- 0.53%
K’s Dividend Yield of 2.85% is consistent with its peers in the Food Confectioners industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ACI
30.78%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 4,966.68%
- Q3
- 30.78%
- Median
- 24.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ACI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.78% is within the typical range for the Grocery Stores industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
K
56.67%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 66.48%
- Q3
- 65.91%
- Median
- 61.19%
- Q1
- 49.66%
- Min
- 28.65%
K’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 56.67% is within the typical range for the Food Confectioners industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ACI | K |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.46% | 2.85% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 30.78% | 56.67% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ACI
13.26
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 35.78
- Q3
- 21.80
- Median
- 18.09
- Q1
- 11.47
- Min
- 8.82
ACI’s P/E Ratio of 13.26 is within the middle range for the Grocery Stores industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
K
20.06
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 27.38
- Q3
- 25.74
- Median
- 22.87
- Q1
- 20.36
- Min
- 19.81
In the lower quartile for the Food Confectioners industry, K’s P/E Ratio of 20.06 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ACI
17.35
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 4.43
- Q3
- 3.62
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.83
- Min
- 0.05
ACI’s Forward PEG Ratio of 17.35 is exceptionally high for the Grocery Stores industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
K
7.08
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 11.13
- Q3
- 8.03
- Median
- 4.93
- Q1
- 2.65
- Min
- 1.94
K’s Forward PEG Ratio of 7.08 is within the middle range of its peers in the Food Confectioners industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ACI
0.16
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 0.69
- Q3
- 0.45
- Median
- 0.28
- Q1
- 0.22
- Min
- 0.14
In the lower quartile for the Grocery Stores industry, ACI’s P/S Ratio of 0.16 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
K
2.20
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 4.07
- Q3
- 3.38
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 2.35
- Min
- 2.17
In the lower quartile for the Food Confectioners industry, K’s P/S Ratio of 2.20 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ACI
3.75
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 5.54
- Q3
- 4.47
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.41
ACI’s P/B Ratio of 3.75 is within the conventional range for the Grocery Stores industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
K
7.07
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 7.23
- Q3
- 7.04
- Median
- 5.25
- Q1
- 3.33
- Min
- 2.77
K’s P/B Ratio of 7.07 is in the upper tier for the Food Confectioners industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ACI | K |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 13.26 | 20.06 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 17.35 | 7.08 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 0.16 | 2.20 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 3.75 | 7.07 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 16.85 | 32.16 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 7.58 | 14.36 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 0.33 | 2.66 |