Hormel Foods (HRL) vs Lamb Weston (LW)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Hormel Foods (HRL) has outperformed Lamb Weston (LW) over the past year, losing 18.7% versus a loss of 22.7%. Over five years, LW leads with a -12.1% price change compared with -54.5% for HRL. Hormel Foods is the larger company by market cap ($10.59 billion vs $6.69 billion), about 1.6 times the size, while Lamb Weston is growing revenue faster (+2.5% vs +1.6%).
On valuation, Hormel Foods trades at a lower forward P/E (12.3x vs 13.7x for Lamb Weston). Hormel Foods offers the higher dividend yield (6.07% vs 3.11%). Lamb Weston converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 4.4% versus 4.0%.
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 | HRL | LW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $19.24 | $48.54 |
| Market cap | $10.59B | $6.69B |
| 1-day change | -0.95% | -1.86% |
| YTD return | -18.06% | +18.07% |
| 1-year return | -18.71% | -22.74% |
| 5-year return | -54.48% | -12.06% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.02 | 26.52 |
| Forward P/E | 12.29 | 13.74 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.62 | $1.83 |
| Dividend yield | 6.07% | 3.11% |
| Annual dividend | $1.17 | $1.51 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.11B | $6.61B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.55% | +2.50% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $478.20M | $290.00M |
| Gross margin | 15.63% | 20.56% |
| Operating margin | 5.94% | 8.94% |
| Net margin | 3.95% | 4.39% |
| 52-week high | $26.60 | $67.07 |
| 52-week low | $19.17 | $37.62 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -27.69% | -27.63% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +32.88% | +15.18% |
| Average volume | 4.70M | 1.92M |
| Shares outstanding | 550.35M | 137.78M |
| Employees | 20,000 | 10,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| Industry | Meat/Poultry/Fish | 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
- Hormel Foods offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.07% vs 3.11%).
About Hormel Foods
HRL stock →Hormel Foods Corporation develops, processes, and distributes various meat, nut, and other food products to foodservice, convenience stores, and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Retail, Foodservice, and International.
Consumer Staples · Meat/Poultry/Fish · 20,000 employees
About Lamb Weston
LW stock →Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. engages in the production, distribution, and marketing of frozen potato products in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally.
Consumer Staples · Packaged Foods · 10,000 employees
HRL vs LW FAQ
Which is bigger, Hormel Foods or Lamb Weston?
Hormel Foods (HRL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.59B compared with $6.69B for Lamb Weston (LW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HRL or LW?
HRL returned -18.71% over the past 12 months, compared with -22.74% for LW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HRL or LW?
LW has the lower trailing P/E at 26.5, versus 31.0 for HRL. 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, Hormel Foods or Lamb Weston?
Hormel Foods has the higher yield at 6.07%, compared with 3.11% for Lamb Weston.
Are Hormel Foods and Lamb Weston in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Staples sector, but in different industries: Meat/Poultry/Fish for Hormel Foods and Packaged Foods for Lamb Weston.