Hormel Foods (HRL) vs McCormick (MKC.V)
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 McCormick (MKC.V) over the past year, losing 18.7% versus a loss of 27.7%. Over five years, MKC.V leads with a -40.1% price change compared with -54.5% for HRL. McCormick is the larger company by market cap ($12.54 billion vs $10.58 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, McCormick trades at a lower trailing P/E (8.4x vs 31.0x for Hormel Foods). Hormel Foods offers the higher dividend yield (6.08% vs 4.06%).
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 | MKC.V |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $19.23 | $46.59 |
| Market cap | $10.58B | $12.54B |
| 1-day change | -1.00% | -2.41% |
| YTD return | -18.06% | -29.80% |
| 1-year return | -18.71% | -27.70% |
| 5-year return | -54.48% | -40.07% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.01 | 8.42 |
| Forward P/E | 12.28 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.62 | $5.53 |
| Dividend yield | 6.08% | 4.06% |
| Annual dividend | $1.17 | $1.89 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.11B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.55% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $478.20M | — |
| Gross margin | 15.63% | — |
| Operating margin | 5.94% | — |
| Net margin | 3.95% | — |
| 52-week high | $26.60 | $72.14 |
| 52-week low | $19.17 | $44.30 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -27.73% | -35.42% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +32.95% | — |
| Average volume | 4.70M | 10.21K |
| Shares outstanding | 550.35M | 14.52M |
| Employees | 20,000 | 14,100 |
| Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Defensive |
| 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 trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.0x vs 8.4x trailing P/E).
- Hormel Foods offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.08% vs 4.06%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Hormel Foods in Consumer Staples and McCormick in Consumer Defensive.
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 McCormick
MKC.V stock →McCormick & Company, Incorporated manufactures, markets, and distributes herbs, spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the food industry. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Flavor Solutions.
Consumer Defensive · Packaged Foods · 14,100 employees
HRL vs MKC.V FAQ
Which is bigger, Hormel Foods or McCormick?
McCormick (MKC.V) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.54B compared with $10.58B for Hormel Foods (HRL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HRL or MKC.V?
HRL returned -18.71% over the past 12 months, compared with -27.70% for MKC.V (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HRL or MKC.V?
MKC.V has the lower trailing P/E at 8.4, 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 McCormick?
Hormel Foods has the higher yield at 6.08%, compared with 4.06% for McCormick.
Are Hormel Foods and McCormick in the same industry?
No. Hormel Foods is in the Consumer Staples sector, while McCormick is in Consumer Defensive.