EL vs. KR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EL and KR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | EL | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. | The Kroger Co. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Personal Care Products | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 31.91 billion USD | 46.37 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 17, 1995 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EL and KR 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 | EL | KR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.32% | -0.82% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 37.66% | 3.22% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 24.20% | 7.17% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -3.02% | 34.32% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.99% | 0.06% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 18.27% | 14.70% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.45M | 7.01M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.13M | 7.32M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 45.06% | 28.82% |
| Beta | 1.16 | 0.57 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
KR
24.26%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 34.20%
- Q3
- 21.61%
- Median
- 13.70%
- Q1
- 5.18%
- Min
- -9.87%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, KR’s Return on Equity of 24.26% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
KR
1.76%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.16%
- Q3
- 3.87%
- Median
- 2.44%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -0.70%
KR’s Net Profit Margin of 1.76% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
KR
2.69%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.29%
- Median
- 4.03%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -1.85%
KR’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.69% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | EL | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -18.42% | 24.26% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -4.22% | 4.70% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -5.89% | 1.76% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.25% | 2.69% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 73.85% | 23.01% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
KR
0.95
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.52
KR’s Current Ratio of 0.95 aligns with the median group of the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
KR
2.01
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
KR’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.01. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
KR
6.59
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 14.71
- Median
- 6.25
- Q1
- 3.16
- Min
- -10.70
KR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.59 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | EL | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.41 | 0.95 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.89 | 0.48 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.68 | 2.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.66 | 6.59 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
KR
1.88%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.63%
- Q3
- 3.17%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
KR’s Dividend Yield of 1.88% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
KR
34.21%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 163.46%
- Q3
- 90.34%
- Median
- 52.13%
- Q1
- 20.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
KR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 34.21% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | EL | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.29% | 1.88% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.25% | 34.21% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
KR
18.24
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 49.92
- Q3
- 31.34
- Median
- 23.38
- Q1
- 17.55
- Min
- 6.19
KR’s P/E Ratio of 18.24 is within the middle range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
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.
KR
0.32
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.06
In the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, KR’s P/S Ratio of 0.32 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 (MRQ)
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.
KR
5.13
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.74
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.88
- Q1
- 1.77
- Min
- 0.46
KR’s P/B Ratio of 5.13 is in the upper tier for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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 | EL | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 18.24 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.15 | 0.32 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.46 | 5.13 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 18.10 | 25.17 |