ACI vs. MKC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ACI and MKC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
MKC’s market capitalization of 20.16 billion USD is significantly greater than ACI’s 12.63 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
MKC carries a higher beta at 0.68, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while ACI (beta: 0.31) exhibits greater stability.
| Symbol | ACI | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Albertsons Companies, Inc. | McCormick & Company, Incorporated |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Consumer Defensive | Consumer Defensive |
| Industry | Grocery Stores | Packaged Foods |
| CEO | Susan D. Morris | Brendan M. Foley |
| Price | 21.93 USD | 75.15 USD |
| Market Cap | 12.63 billion USD | 20.16 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.31 | 0.68 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | June 26, 2020 | April 26, 1999 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ACI and MKC 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.
MKC
14.27%
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 31.57%
- Q3
- 16.24%
- Median
- 8.30%
- Q1
- 3.79%
- Min
- -9.32%
MKC’s Return on Equity of 14.27% is on par with the norm for the Packaged Foods industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
MKC
7.30%
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 18.26%
- Q3
- 11.05%
- Median
- 6.28%
- Q1
- 4.78%
- Min
- -3.45%
MKC’s Return on Invested Capital of 7.30% is in line with the norm for the Packaged Foods 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.
MKC
11.50%
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 12.82%
- Q3
- 6.72%
- Median
- 4.53%
- Q1
- 2.61%
- Min
- -2.02%
A Net Profit Margin of 11.50% places MKC in the upper quartile for the Packaged Foods industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
MKC
15.78%
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 19.80%
- Q3
- 10.83%
- Median
- 6.62%
- Q1
- 4.39%
- Min
- 1.79%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.78% places MKC in the upper quartile for the Packaged Foods industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ACI | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.23% | 14.27% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.58% | 5.88% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 6.91% | 7.30% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.19% | 11.50% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.05% | 15.78% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.06% | 38.54% |
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.
MKC
0.68
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 4.91
- Q3
- 2.66
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.45
MKC’s Current Ratio of 0.68 falls into the lower quartile for the Packaged Foods industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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.
MKC
0.80
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 2.61
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 0.82
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
MKC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.80 is typical for the Packaged Foods industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
MKC
5.17
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 12.62
- Q3
- 8.96
- Median
- 3.16
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -3.36
MKC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.17 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Packaged Foods industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ACI | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 0.90 | 0.68 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.22 | 0.27 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 4.19 | 0.80 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.53 | 0.34 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 3.97 | 3.26 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.59 | 5.17 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ACI and MKC. 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.
MKC
2.32%
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 17.31%
- Q3
- 4.06%
- Median
- 2.28%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MKC’s Dividend Yield of 2.32% is consistent with its peers in the Packaged Foods 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.
MKC
60.21%
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 203.43%
- Q3
- 70.94%
- Median
- 16.83%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MKC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 60.21% is within the typical range for the Packaged Foods industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ACI | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.46% | 2.32% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 30.78% | 60.21% |
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.
MKC
26.03
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 38.86
- Q3
- 28.67
- Median
- 20.65
- Q1
- 13.95
- Min
- 3.16
MKC’s P/E Ratio of 26.03 is within the middle range for the Packaged Foods industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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.
MKC
4.03
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 9.46
- Q3
- 4.68
- Median
- 1.99
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.07
MKC’s Forward PEG Ratio of 4.03 is within the middle range of its peers in the Packaged Foods 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.
MKC
2.99
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.41
- Median
- 0.90
- Q1
- 0.65
- Min
- 0.18
With a P/S Ratio of 2.99, MKC trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Packaged Foods industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
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.
MKC
3.60
Packaged Foods Industry
- Max
- 4.92
- Q3
- 3.32
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.62
MKC’s P/B Ratio of 3.60 is in the upper tier for the Packaged Foods 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 | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 13.26 | 26.03 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 17.35 | 4.03 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 0.16 | 2.99 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 3.75 | 3.60 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 16.85 | 36.54 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 7.58 | 18.45 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 0.33 | 3.63 |