Hormel Foods (HRL) vs McCormick (MKC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Hormel Foods (HRL) has outperformed McCormick (MKC) over the past year, losing 18.5% versus a loss of 31.0%. Over five years, MKC leads with a -43.2% price change compared with -54.2% for HRL. McCormick is the larger company by market cap ($12.18 billion vs $10.76 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Hormel Foods trades at a lower forward P/E (12.5x vs 14.1x for McCormick). Hormel Foods offers the higher dividend yield (5.97% vs 4.18%). McCormick converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.5% 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 | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $19.55 | $45.25 |
| Market cap | $10.76B | $12.18B |
| 1-day change | -1.66% | -0.33% |
| YTD return | -17.51% | -33.56% |
| 1-year return | -18.54% | -31.04% |
| 5-year return | -54.17% | -43.17% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.53 | 8.18 |
| Forward P/E | 12.47 | 14.08 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.62 | $5.53 |
| Dividend yield | 5.97% | 4.18% |
| Annual dividend | $1.17 | $1.89 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.11B | $6.84B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.55% | +1.73% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $478.20M | $789.40M |
| Gross margin | 15.63% | 37.90% |
| Operating margin | 5.94% | 15.65% |
| Net margin | 3.95% | 11.54% |
| 52-week high | $26.60 | $72.41 |
| 52-week low | $19.42 | $43.25 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.50% | -37.51% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +32.69% | +21.22% |
| Average volume | 4.59M | 3.24M |
| Shares outstanding | 550.35M | 254.54M |
| Employees | 20,000 | 14,100 |
| 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
- HRL has outperformed MKC by 12.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Hormel Foods trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.5x vs 8.2x trailing P/E).
- Hormel Foods offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.97% vs 4.18%).
- McCormick is more profitable, keeping 11.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.0 cents for Hormel Foods.
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 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 Staples · Packaged Foods · 14,100 employees
HRL vs MKC FAQ
Which is bigger, Hormel Foods or McCormick?
McCormick (MKC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.18B compared with $10.76B for Hormel Foods (HRL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HRL or MKC?
HRL returned -18.54% over the past 12 months, compared with -31.04% for MKC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HRL or MKC?
MKC has the lower trailing P/E at 8.2, versus 31.5 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 5.97%, compared with 4.18% for McCormick.
Are Hormel Foods and McCormick 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 McCormick.