Dollar General vs Kroger (DG vs KR)
Dollar General (DG) vs Kroger (KR) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Dollar General (DG) and Kroger (KR) compete in retail. Here are Dollar General and Kroger side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Dollar General or Kroger.
Dollar General vs Kroger: the figures
| Figure | Dollar General | Kroger |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $141.64 (November 4, 2026) | $68.97 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $31.2 billion | $40.7 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 18.4x | 38.3x |
| Forward P/E | 17.0x | 12.6x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +5.2% | +2.0% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 3.9% | 0.7% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 4.0x | 2.8x |
| Dividend yield | 1.81% | 2.34% |
| Beta | 0.19 | 0.36 |
Dollar General and Kroger figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Dollar General or Kroger figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Dollar General and Kroger
- Valuation: Kroger trades at 38.3x its annual earnings and Dollar General at 18.4x; the market pays more for each dollar of Kroger profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Debt: Dollar General owes 4.0x its annual operating profit (EBITDA), while Kroger owes 2.8x its EBITDA.
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Dollar General keeps 3.9 as net profit and Kroger keeps 0.7.
Dollar General or Kroger: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Dollar General is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Kroger pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Kroger has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Dollar General trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Dollar General nor Kroger wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Dollar General and Kroger make money
Dollar General (DG)
Dollar General runs a large network of small-format discount stores across the United States, mostly in rural towns. It groups sales into consumables, the biggest category, covering food, cleaning supplies and paper products, plus seasonal items, home products and apparel. It also operates the pOpshelf store concept. Full Dollar General analysis.
Kroger (KR)
Kroger is a U.S. supermarket chain operating under banners such as Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter and King Soopers. Beyond groceries, it fills prescriptions at in-store pharmacies, sells fuel at its gas stations and pushes its own private labels, including Simple Truth and Private Selection. Full Kroger analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Dollar General vs Kroger
Is Dollar General or Kroger the better stock?
Choosing between Dollar General and Kroger depends on what you are looking for. Dollar General is growing faster right now, and Dollar General trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Dollar General or Kroger: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Dollar General or Kroger?
As of November 4, 2026, Kroger yields 2.34% and Dollar General yields 1.81%. Also check how much of their profit Dollar General and Kroger pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Dollar General or Kroger?
On P/E, Kroger (38.3x) is more expensive than Dollar General (18.4x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both Dollar General and Kroger?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Dollar General and Kroger, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Dollar General or Kroger.
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More companies like Dollar General and Kroger: retail stocks. Educational content about Dollar General and Kroger, not investment advice.