ADM vs. EL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ADM and EL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ADM | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Archer-Daniels-Midland Company | The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Food Products | Personal Care Products |
| Market Capitalization | 30.85 billion USD | 31.91 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | November 17, 1995 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ADM and EL 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ADM | EL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 7.09% | -1.32% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 33.88% | 37.66% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 39.47% | 24.20% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 8.37% | -3.02% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 18.51% | -4.99% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 27.10% | 18.27% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.90M | 5.45M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.49M | 4.13M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 25.86% | 45.06% |
| Beta | 0.71 | 1.16 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ADM
4.96%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 27.15%
- Q3
- 15.66%
- Median
- 10.47%
- Q1
- 7.82%
- Min
- -2.46%
ADM’s Return on Equity of 4.96% is in the lower quartile for the Food Products industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
EL
-18.42%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 31.59%
- Q3
- 20.42%
- Median
- 11.01%
- Q1
- 3.26%
- Min
- -18.42%
EL has a negative Return on Equity of -18.42%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ADM
1.33%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 18.44%
- Q3
- 9.92%
- Median
- 6.38%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -0.92%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Food Products industry, ADM’s Net Profit Margin of 1.33% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
EL
-5.89%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 15.12%
- Q3
- 12.06%
- Median
- 9.26%
- Q1
- 5.50%
- Min
- -0.40%
EL has a negative Net Profit Margin of -5.89%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ADM
0.85%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 24.83%
- Q3
- 14.27%
- Median
- 9.73%
- Q1
- 6.26%
- Min
- -0.10%
ADM’s Operating Profit Margin of 0.85% is in the lower quartile for the Food Products industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
EL
-4.25%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 19.80%
- Q3
- 17.96%
- Median
- 13.14%
- Q1
- 7.58%
- Min
- -4.25%
EL has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -4.25%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ADM | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 4.96% | -18.42% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.08% | -4.22% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.33% | -5.89% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.85% | -4.25% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.37% | 73.85% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ADM
1.42
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.40
- Median
- 1.61
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.55
ADM’s Current Ratio of 1.42 aligns with the median group of the Food Products industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
EL
1.41
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 4.26
- Q3
- 2.61
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.76
EL’s Current Ratio of 1.41 aligns with the median group of the Personal Care Products industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ADM
0.41
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 1.87
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.48
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
ADM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.41 is typical for the Food Products industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
EL
1.68
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 1.13
- Q3
- 0.63
- Median
- 0.26
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.68, EL operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Personal Care Products industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ADM
22.44
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 70.39
- Q3
- 32.08
- Median
- 9.51
- Q1
- 4.55
- Min
- -1.69
ADM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.44 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Food Products industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
EL
4.66
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 96.53
- Q3
- 59.91
- Median
- 22.25
- Q1
- 7.85
- Min
- -1.93
In the lower quartile for the Personal Care Products industry, EL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.66 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ADM | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.42 | 1.41 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.88 | 0.89 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.41 | 1.68 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 22.44 | 4.66 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ADM
3.37%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 7.43%
- Q3
- 4.12%
- Median
- 2.67%
- Q1
- 1.57%
- Min
- 0.00%
ADM’s Dividend Yield of 3.37% is consistent with its peers in the Food Products industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
EL
2.29%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 4.08%
- Q3
- 2.46%
- Median
- 1.82%
- Q1
- 0.83%
- Min
- 0.00%
EL’s Dividend Yield of 2.29% is consistent with its peers in the Personal Care Products industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ADM
88.90%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 202.50%
- Q3
- 109.53%
- Median
- 67.28%
- Q1
- 39.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
ADM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 88.90% is within the typical range for the Food Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
EL
79.25%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 207.61%
- Q3
- 115.17%
- Median
- 69.37%
- Q1
- 47.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
EL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 79.25% is within the typical range for the Personal Care Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ADM | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.37% | 2.29% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 88.90% | 79.25% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ADM
26.37
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 35.81
- Q3
- 22.88
- Median
- 17.13
- Q1
- 13.91
- Min
- 2.77
A P/E Ratio of 26.37 places ADM in the upper quartile for the Food Products industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
EL
--
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 55.49
- Q3
- 36.75
- Median
- 26.49
- Q1
- 22.40
- Min
- 11.12
P/E Ratio data for EL is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ADM
0.35
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.63
- Q3
- 1.86
- Median
- 1.14
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.12
In the lower quartile for the Food Products industry, ADM’s P/S Ratio of 0.35 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.
EL
2.15
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 5.35
- Q3
- 2.83
- Median
- 2.07
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.00
EL’s P/S Ratio of 2.15 aligns with the market consensus for the Personal Care Products industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ADM
1.13
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 5.01
- Q3
- 2.76
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.52
ADM’s P/B Ratio of 1.13 is in the lower quartile for the Food Products industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
EL
5.46
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 7.32
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 2.93
- Q1
- 1.84
- Min
- 1.14
EL’s P/B Ratio of 5.46 is in the upper tier for the Personal Care Products 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 | ADM | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.37 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.35 | 2.15 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.13 | 5.46 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 5.90 | 18.10 |