Darling Ingredients (DAR) vs Kraft Heinz (KHC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Darling Ingredients (DAR) has outperformed Kraft Heinz (KHC) over the past year, gaining 94.1% versus a loss of 13.5%. Over five years, DAR leads with a -19.2% price change compared with -40.6% for KHC. Kraft Heinz is the larger company by market cap ($26.06 billion vs $9.47 billion), about 2.8 times the size, while Darling Ingredients is growing revenue faster (+7.4% vs -3.5%).
On valuation, Darling Ingredients trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 10.6x for Kraft Heinz). Kraft Heinz pays a dividend yielding 7.28%, while Darling Ingredients does not currently pay one. Darling Ingredients converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 1.0% versus -23.4%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | DAR | KHC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $60.02 | $21.98 |
| Market cap | $9.47B | $26.06B |
| 1-day change | -1.88% | -0.23% |
| YTD return | +66.72% | -9.36% |
| 1-year return | +94.05% | -13.53% |
| 5-year return | -19.18% | -40.56% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 16.49 | — |
| Forward P/E | 9.56 | 10.56 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.64 | $-2.87 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 7.28% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.60 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.14B | $24.94B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.36% | -3.50% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $62.80M | $-5.85B |
| Gross margin | 24.01% | 33.31% |
| Operating margin | 4.46% | -18.72% |
| Net margin | 1.02% | -23.44% |
| 52-week high | $69.98 | $28.09 |
| 52-week low | $29.15 | $21.04 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.23% | -21.75% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +35.92% | +14.88% |
| Average volume | 2.35M | 16.97M |
| Shares outstanding | 157.80M | 1.19B |
| Employees | 15,000 | 35,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| Industry | Packaged Foods | Packaged Foods |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Kraft Heinz is about 2.8 times larger than Darling Ingredients by market value ($26.06B vs $9.47B).
- DAR has outperformed KHC by 107.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Kraft Heinz offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (7.28% vs 0.00%).
- Darling Ingredients is more profitable, keeping 1.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -23.4 cents for Kraft Heinz.
- Darling Ingredients grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+7.36% vs -3.50%).
About Darling Ingredients
DAR stock →Darling Ingredients Inc. develops, produces, and sells sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients in North America, Europe, China, South America, and internationally.
Consumer Staples · Packaged Foods · 15,000 employees
About Kraft Heinz
KHC stock →The Kraft Heinz Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food and beverage products in North America and internationally. Its products include condiments, sauces, dressings, and spreads; cheese, frozen potato products, and other frozen meals; meal kits, frozen snacks, and pickles; dry packaged desserts, refrigerated ready to eat desserts, and other dessert toppings; ready to drink and powdered beverages, and liquid concentrates; American sliced and recipe cheeses; mainstream coffee, coffee pods, and premium coffee; and cold cuts, bacon, and hot dogs.
Consumer Staples · Packaged Foods · 35,000 employees
DAR vs KHC FAQ
Which is bigger, Darling Ingredients or Kraft Heinz?
Kraft Heinz (KHC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $26.06B compared with $9.47B for Darling Ingredients (DAR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DAR or KHC?
DAR returned +94.05% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.53% for KHC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Darling Ingredients or Kraft Heinz?
Kraft Heinz pays a dividend yielding 7.28%, while Darling Ingredients does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Darling Ingredients and Kraft Heinz in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Packaged Foods industry within the Consumer Staples sector.