Gildan Activewear (GIL) vs Ralph Lauren (RL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Ralph Lauren (RL) has outperformed Gildan Activewear (GIL) over the past year, gaining 11.3% versus a loss of 32.4%. Over five years, RL leads with a +204.0% price change compared with +12.8% for GIL. Ralph Lauren is the larger company by market cap ($21.52 billion vs $7.64 billion), about 2.8 times the size.
On valuation, Gildan Activewear trades at a lower forward P/E (7.6x vs 17.2x for Ralph Lauren). Gildan Activewear offers the higher dividend yield (2.30% vs 1.04%). Ralph Lauren converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.6% versus 11.0%.
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 | GIL | RL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $41.26 | $361.14 |
| Market cap | $7.64B | $21.52B |
| 1-day change | -1.10% | -2.04% |
| YTD return | -33.94% | +2.26% |
| 1-year return | -32.36% | +11.34% |
| 5-year return | +12.76% | +204.02% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.50 | 22.76 |
| Forward P/E | 7.58 | 17.22 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.31 | $15.87 |
| Dividend yield | 2.30% | 1.04% |
| Annual dividend | $0.95 | $3.74 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.62B | $8.11B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.66% | +14.63% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $398.88M | $941.10M |
| Gross margin | 31.22% | 69.87% |
| Operating margin | 17.13% | 14.53% |
| Net margin | 11.02% | 11.60% |
| 52-week high | $73.70 | $421.60 |
| 52-week low | $39.93 | $306.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -44.02% | -14.34% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +98.74% | +23.69% |
| Average volume | 1.50M | 629.65K |
| Shares outstanding | 185.19M | 37.70M |
| Employees | 75,000 | 15,600 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Apparel | Garments and Clothing |
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
- Ralph Lauren is about 2.8 times larger than Gildan Activewear by market value ($21.52B vs $7.64B).
- RL has outperformed GIL by 43.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Gildan Activewear trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.5x vs 22.8x trailing P/E).
- Gildan Activewear offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.30% vs 1.04%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Gildan Activewear in Consumer Discretionary and Ralph Lauren in Industrials.
About Gildan Activewear
GIL stock →Gildan Activewear Inc. manufactures and sells various apparel products.
Consumer Discretionary · Apparel · 75,000 employees
About Ralph Lauren
RL stock →Ralph Lauren Corporation designs, markets, and distributes lifestyle products in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company offers apparel, including a range of men's, women's, and children's clothing; footwear and accessories, which comprise casual shoes, dress shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, eyewear, watches, fashion and fine jewelry, scarves, hats, gloves, and umbrellas, as well as leather goods comprising handbags, luggage, small leather goods, and belts; home products, such as bed and bath lines, furniture, fabric and wall coverings, lighting, dining, floor coverings, decorative accessories, and giftware; and fragrances.
Industrials · Garments and Clothing · 15,600 employees
GIL vs RL FAQ
Which is bigger, Gildan Activewear or Ralph Lauren?
Ralph Lauren (RL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $21.52B compared with $7.64B for Gildan Activewear (GIL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GIL or RL?
RL returned +11.34% over the past 12 months, compared with -32.36% for GIL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GIL or RL?
RL has the lower trailing P/E at 22.8, versus 31.5 for GIL. 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, Gildan Activewear or Ralph Lauren?
Gildan Activewear has the higher yield at 2.30%, compared with 1.04% for Ralph Lauren.
Are Gildan Activewear and Ralph Lauren in the same industry?
No. Gildan Activewear is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Ralph Lauren is in Industrials.