EL vs. USFD: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EL and USFD, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | EL | USFD |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. | US Foods Holding Corp. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Personal Care Products | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 34.27 billion USD | 17.71 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 17, 1995 | May 26, 2016 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EL and USFD 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 | USFD |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.43% | -1.90% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 45.75% | 6.95% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 48.24% | 10.90% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 10.51% | 50.12% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.06% | -5.62% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 27.05% | 16.59% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.88M | 2.88M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.20M | 2.24M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 44.30% | 21.05% |
| Beta | 1.16 | 1.39 |
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.
USFD
12.04%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 34.20%
- Q3
- 21.61%
- Median
- 13.70%
- Q1
- 5.18%
- Min
- -9.87%
USFD’s Return on Equity of 12.04% is on par with the norm for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
USFD
1.43%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.16%
- Q3
- 3.87%
- Median
- 2.44%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -0.70%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, USFD’s Net Profit Margin of 1.43% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
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.
USFD
2.70%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.29%
- Median
- 4.03%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -1.85%
USFD’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.70% 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 | USFD |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -18.42% | 12.04% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -4.22% | 4.07% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -5.89% | 1.43% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.25% | 2.70% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 73.85% | 17.40% |
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.
USFD
1.17
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.52
USFD’s Current Ratio of 1.17 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.
USFD
1.08
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
USFD’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.08 is typical for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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 (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.
USFD
3.04
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 14.71
- Median
- 6.25
- Q1
- 3.16
- Min
- -10.70
In the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, USFD’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.04 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | EL | USFD |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.41 | 1.17 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.89 | 0.68 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.68 | 1.08 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.66 | 3.04 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EL
2.19%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 4.08%
- Q3
- 2.46%
- Median
- 1.82%
- Q1
- 0.83%
- Min
- 0.00%
EL’s Dividend Yield of 2.19% is consistent with its peers in the Personal Care Products industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
USFD
0.00%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.63%
- Q3
- 3.17%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
USFD currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
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.
USFD
0.00%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 163.46%
- Q3
- 90.34%
- Median
- 52.13%
- Q1
- 20.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
USFD has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | EL | USFD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.19% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.25% | 0.00% |
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.
USFD
32.09
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 49.92
- Q3
- 31.34
- Median
- 23.38
- Q1
- 17.55
- Min
- 6.19
A P/E Ratio of 32.09 places USFD in the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
EL
2.25
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 2.25 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.
USFD
0.46
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.06
USFD’s P/S Ratio of 0.46 aligns with the market consensus for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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.
USFD
3.85
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.74
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.88
- Q1
- 1.77
- Min
- 0.46
USFD’s P/B Ratio of 3.85 is within the conventional range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | EL | USFD |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 32.09 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.25 | 0.46 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.46 | 3.85 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 18.94 | 19.04 |