Ingles Markets (IMKTA) vs Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Ingles Markets (IMKTA) has outperformed Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) over the past year, gaining 18.0% versus a loss of 36.8%. Over five years, SFM leads with a +198.6% price change compared with +27.7% for IMKTA. Sprouts Farmers Market is the larger company by market cap ($6.03 billion vs $1.62 billion), about 3.7 times the size.
On valuation, Sprouts Farmers Market trades at a lower forward P/E (10.9x vs 18.2x for Ingles Markets). Ingles Markets pays a dividend yielding 0.77%, while Sprouts Farmers Market does not currently pay one. Sprouts Farmers Market converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 5.9% versus 1.6%.
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 | IMKTA | SFM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $85.46 | $64.67 |
| Market cap | $1.62B | $6.03B |
| 1-day change | -0.15% | -2.03% |
| YTD return | +24.86% | -17.15% |
| 1-year return | +17.96% | -36.76% |
| 5-year return | +27.65% | +198.55% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.62 | 12.37 |
| Forward P/E | 18.18 | 10.87 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.47 | $5.23 |
| Dividend yield | 0.77% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.66 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.33B | $8.81B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -5.42% | +14.08% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $83.59M | $523.67M |
| Gross margin | 23.89% | 38.80% |
| Operating margin | 2.20% | 7.79% |
| Net margin | 1.57% | 5.95% |
| 52-week high | $95.62 | $114.34 |
| 52-week low | $67.11 | $61.88 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.63% | -43.44% |
| Analyst consensus | — | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | — | +44.69% |
| Average volume | 115.77K | 1.95M |
| Shares outstanding | 14.55M | 93.25M |
| Employees | 12,152 | 36,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| Industry | Food Chains | Food Chains |
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
- Sprouts Farmers Market is about 3.7 times larger than Ingles Markets by market value ($6.03B vs $1.62B).
- IMKTA has outperformed SFM by 54.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Ingles Markets trades at a higher earnings multiple (15.6x vs 12.4x trailing P/E).
- Sprouts Farmers Market grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+14.08% vs -5.42%).
About Ingles Markets
IMKTA stock →Ingles Markets, Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, operates a chain of supermarkets in the United States. The company offers food products, such as grocery, meat, and dairy products, produce, frozen food, and other perishables; and non-food products, which include fuel centers, pharmacies, health and beauty care products, and general merchandise, as well as private label items, organic, and locally sourced items.
Consumer Staples · Food Chains · 12,152 employees
About Sprouts Farmers Market
SFM stock →Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the retailing of fresh, natural, and organic food products in the United States. The company operates healthy grocery stores; and lifestyle-friendly ingredients, such as organic, plant-based, keto, paleo, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
Consumer Staples · Food Chains · 36,000 employees
IMKTA vs SFM FAQ
Which is bigger, Ingles Markets or Sprouts Farmers Market?
Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.03B compared with $1.62B for Ingles Markets (IMKTA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, IMKTA or SFM?
IMKTA returned +17.96% over the past 12 months, compared with -36.76% for SFM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, IMKTA or SFM?
SFM has the lower trailing P/E at 12.4, versus 15.6 for IMKTA. 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, Ingles Markets or Sprouts Farmers Market?
Ingles Markets pays a dividend yielding 0.77%, while Sprouts Farmers Market does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Ingles Markets and Sprouts Farmers Market in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Food Chains industry within the Consumer Staples sector.