Hormel Foods (HRL) vs J.M. Smucker (SJM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
J.M. Smucker (SJM) has outperformed Hormel Foods (HRL) over the past year, gaining 12.7% versus a loss of 18.5%. Over five years, SJM leads with a -2.2% price change compared with -54.2% for HRL. J.M. Smucker is the larger company by market cap ($12.76 billion vs $10.69 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, J.M. Smucker trades at a lower forward P/E (10.9x vs 12.4x for Hormel Foods). Hormel Foods offers the higher dividend yield (6.01% vs 3.70%). Hormel Foods converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 4.0% versus -1.5%.
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 | SJM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $19.42 | $119.41 |
| Market cap | $10.69B | $12.76B |
| 1-day change | -0.66% | +3.00% |
| YTD return | -17.51% | +22.08% |
| 1-year return | -18.54% | +12.74% |
| 5-year return | -54.17% | -2.19% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.32 | 55.80 |
| Forward P/E | 12.39 | 10.93 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.62 | $2.14 |
| Dividend yield | 6.01% | 3.70% |
| Annual dividend | $1.17 | $4.42 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.11B | $9.05B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.55% | +3.72% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $478.20M | $-138.70M |
| Gross margin | 15.63% | 33.53% |
| Operating margin | 5.94% | 3.98% |
| Net margin | 3.95% | -1.53% |
| 52-week high | $26.60 | $135.89 |
| 52-week low | $19.37 | $88.25 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.99% | -12.13% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +31.62% | +19.03% |
| Average volume | 4.70M | 1.33M |
| Shares outstanding | 550.35M | 106.82M |
| Employees | 20,000 | — |
| Sector | Consumer Defensive | Consumer Staples |
| Industry | Packaged Foods | 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
- SJM has outperformed HRL by 31.3 percentage points over the past year.
- J.M. Smucker trades at a higher earnings multiple (55.8x vs 31.3x trailing P/E).
- Hormel Foods offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.01% vs 3.70%).
- Hormel Foods is more profitable, keeping 4.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -1.5 cents for J.M. Smucker.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Hormel Foods in Consumer Defensive and J.M. Smucker in Consumer Staples.
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 Defensive · Packaged Foods · 20,000 employees
About J.M. Smucker
SJM stock →The J. M.
Consumer Staples · Packaged Foods
HRL vs SJM FAQ
Which is bigger, Hormel Foods or J.M. Smucker?
J.M. Smucker (SJM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.76B compared with $10.69B for Hormel Foods (HRL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HRL or SJM?
SJM returned +12.74% over the past 12 months, compared with -18.54% for HRL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HRL or SJM?
HRL has the lower trailing P/E at 31.3, versus 55.8 for SJM. 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 J.M. Smucker?
Hormel Foods has the higher yield at 6.01%, compared with 3.70% for J.M. Smucker.
Are Hormel Foods and J.M. Smucker in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Packaged Foods industry within the Consumer Defensive sector.