Dole (DOLE) vs Universal (UVV)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Dole (DOLE) has outperformed Universal (UVV) over the past year, losing 0.5% versus a loss of 20.7%. Over five years, UVV leads with a -13.0% price change compared with -14.9% for DOLE. Dole is the larger company by market cap ($1.23 billion vs $1.08 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Dole trades at a lower forward P/E (8.8x vs 10.9x for Universal). Universal offers the higher dividend yield (7.62% vs 2.61%).
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 | DOLE | UVV |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $13.02 | $43.18 |
| Market cap | $1.23B | $1.08B |
| 1-day change | +1.72% | +0.82% |
| YTD return | -13.14% | -18.14% |
| 1-year return | -0.46% | -20.67% |
| 5-year return | -14.89% | -12.98% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.59 | 56.82 |
| Forward P/E | 8.78 | 10.93 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.74 | $0.76 |
| Dividend yield | 2.61% | 7.62% |
| Annual dividend | $0.34 | $3.29 |
| 52-week high | $16.57 | $59.38 |
| 52-week low | $12.52 | $41.10 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.42% | -27.28% |
| Analyst consensus | none | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +33.95% | +55.16% |
| Average volume | 988.78K | 316.63K |
| Shares outstanding | 94.46M | 24.90M |
| Employees | 32,027 | 11,250 |
| Sector | Consumer Staples | Industrials |
| Industry | Farming/Seeds/Milling | Farming/Seeds/Milling |
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
- DOLE has outperformed UVV by 20.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Universal trades at a higher earnings multiple (56.8x vs 17.6x trailing P/E).
- Universal offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (7.62% vs 2.61%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Dole in Consumer Staples and Universal in Industrials.
About Dole
DOLE stock →Dole plc engages in sourcing, production, distribution, and marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables worldwide. It operates through three segments: Fresh Fruit; Diversified Fresh Produce - EMEA; and Diversified Fresh Produce - Americas and ROW.
Consumer Staples · Farming/Seeds/Milling · 32,027 employees
About Universal
UVV stock →Universal Corporation, a business-to-business agriproducts company, provides leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients to food and beverage end markets worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Tobacco Operations and Ingredients Operations.
Industrials · Farming/Seeds/Milling · 11,250 employees
DOLE vs UVV FAQ
Which is bigger, Dole or Universal?
Dole (DOLE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.23B compared with $1.08B for Universal (UVV).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DOLE or UVV?
DOLE returned -0.46% over the past 12 months, compared with -20.67% for UVV (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DOLE or UVV?
DOLE has the lower trailing P/E at 17.6, versus 56.8 for UVV. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Dole or Universal?
Universal has the higher yield at 7.62%, compared with 2.61% for Dole.
Are Dole and Universal in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Farming/Seeds/Milling industry within the Consumer Staples sector.