KR vs. WMT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at KR and WMT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | KR | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Kroger Co. | Walmart Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 44.95 billion USD | 766.76 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | August 25, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of KR and WMT 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 | KR | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -4.82% | -1.92% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 0.22% | -1.54% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 4.49% | 1.37% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 28.82% | 26.37% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.02% | -1.94% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 11.17% | 6.34% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.17M | 21.03M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.28M | 16.86M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 28.96% | 18.79% |
| Beta | 0.57 | 0.67 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
WMT
21.67%
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, WMT’s Return on Equity of 21.67% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
WMT
2.75%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.16%
- Q3
- 3.87%
- Median
- 2.44%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -0.70%
WMT’s Net Profit Margin of 2.75% 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)
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.
WMT
4.33%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.29%
- Median
- 4.03%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -1.85%
WMT’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.33% 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 | KR | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 24.26% | 21.67% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.70% | 7.23% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.76% | 2.75% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.69% | 4.33% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 23.01% | 24.88% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WMT
0.78
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.52
WMT’s Current Ratio of 0.78 falls into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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 (MRQ)
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.
WMT
0.63
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
WMT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.63 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)
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.
WMT
12.72
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 14.71
- Median
- 6.25
- Q1
- 3.16
- Min
- -10.70
WMT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.72 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 | KR | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.95 | 0.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.48 | 0.18 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.01 | 0.63 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.59 | 12.72 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
WMT
0.87%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.63%
- Q3
- 3.17%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WMT’s Dividend Yield of 0.87% 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)
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.
WMT
36.65%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 163.46%
- Q3
- 90.34%
- Median
- 52.13%
- Q1
- 20.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
WMT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.65% 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 | KR | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.88% | 0.87% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.21% | 36.65% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
WMT
42.33
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 42.33 places WMT 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)
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.
WMT
1.16
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.06
WMT’s P/S Ratio of 1.16 is in the upper echelon for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WMT
9.29
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.74
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.88
- Q1
- 1.77
- Min
- 0.46
WMT’s P/B Ratio of 9.29 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 | KR | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 18.24 | 42.33 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.32 | 1.16 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.13 | 9.29 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 25.17 | 58.95 |