Lamb Weston (LW) vs Smithfield Foods (SFD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Smithfield Foods (SFD) has outperformed Lamb Weston (LW) over the past year, losing 16.8% versus a loss of 24.0%. Smithfield Foods is the larger company by market cap ($7.28 billion vs $6.61 billion), about 1.1 times the size. On valuation, Smithfield Foods trades at a lower forward P/E (8.4x vs 14.3x for Lamb Weston).
Smithfield Foods offers the higher dividend yield (6.08% vs 3.14%). Smithfield Foods converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.4% versus 4.4%.
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 | LW | SFD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $48.09 | $18.50 |
| Market cap | $6.61B | $7.28B |
| 1-day change | +0.38% | -1.49% |
| YTD return | +14.80% | -16.82% |
| 1-year return | -24.04% | -16.78% |
| 5-year return | -14.49% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 26.28 | 6.93 |
| Forward P/E | 14.28 | 8.43 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.83 | $2.67 |
| Dividend yield | 3.14% | 6.08% |
| Annual dividend | $1.51 | $1.13 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.61B | $15.53B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.50% | +9.82% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $290.00M | $987.00M |
| Gross margin | 20.56% | 13.45% |
| Operating margin | 8.94% | 8.32% |
| Net margin | 4.39% | 6.36% |
| 52-week high | $67.07 | $29.81 |
| 52-week low | $37.62 | $18.43 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -28.30% | -37.93% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.26% | +40.92% |
| Average volume | 1.84M | 1.68M |
| Shares outstanding | 137.48M | 393.77M |
| Employees | 10,000 | 34,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| Industry | Packaged Foods | Meat/Poultry/Fish |
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
- Lamb Weston trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.3x vs 6.9x trailing P/E).
- Smithfield Foods offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.08% vs 3.14%).
- Smithfield Foods grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.82% vs +2.50%).
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
About Smithfield Foods
SFD stock →Smithfield Foods, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces various packaged meats and fresh pork products in the United States and internationally. It operates through Packaged Meats, Fresh Pork, Hog Production, and Other segments.
Consumer Staples · Meat/Poultry/Fish · 34,000 employees
LW vs SFD FAQ
Which is bigger, Lamb Weston or Smithfield Foods?
Smithfield Foods (SFD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.28B compared with $6.61B for Lamb Weston (LW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LW or SFD?
SFD returned -16.78% over the past 12 months, compared with -24.04% for LW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LW or SFD?
SFD has the lower trailing P/E at 6.9, versus 26.3 for LW. 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, Lamb Weston or Smithfield Foods?
Smithfield Foods has the higher yield at 6.08%, compared with 3.14% for Lamb Weston.
Are Lamb Weston and Smithfield Foods in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Staples sector, but in different industries: Packaged Foods for Lamb Weston and Meat/Poultry/Fish for Smithfield Foods.