LEVI
Levi Strauss & Co.
Apparel - Manufacturers
Market Cap$8.85B
5Y Perf.+68.1%
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Stock Comparison
LEVI vs RL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
RL
Ralph Lauren Corporation
Apparel - Manufacturers
Market Cap$48.53B
5Y Perf.+374.7%
LEVI vs RL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | LEVI | RL |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Apparel - Manufacturers | Apparel - Manufacturers |
| Market Cap | $8.85B | $48.53B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $6.28B | $7.83B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $578M | $919M |
| Gross Margin | 61.7% | 69.6% |
| Operating Margin | 10.8% | 15.0% |
| Forward P/E | 15.1x | 22.0x |
| Total Debt | $2.31B | $2.67B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $758M | $1.92B |
LEVI vs RL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
LEVI
RL
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI) | 100 | 168.1 | +68.1% |
| Ralph Lauren Corpor… (RL) | 100 | 474.7 | +374.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LEVI vs RL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: RL leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Levi Strauss & Co. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
LEVI
Levi Strauss & Co.
The Income Pick
LEVI is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 1.40, yield 2.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.40, current ratio 1.55x
- Beta 1.40, yield 2.3%, current ratio 1.55x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
RL
Ralph Lauren Corporation
The Growth Play
RL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 6.7%, EPS growth 19.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 4.4%
- 324.6% 10Y total return vs LEVI's 13.7%
- 6.7% revenue growth vs LEVI's -1.2%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | RL | 6.7% revenue growth vs LEVI's -1.2% |
| Value | LEVI | Lower P/E (15.1x vs 22.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | RL | 11.7% margin vs LEVI's 9.2% |
| Stability / Safety | LEVI | Beta 1.40 vs RL's 1.53, lower leverage |
| Dividends | LEVI | 2.3% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs RL's 0.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | RL | +44.0% vs LEVI's +36.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | RL | 11.8% ROA vs LEVI's 8.4%, ROIC 20.6% vs 13.9% |
LEVI vs RL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2020
LEVI vs RL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLLEVILAGGINGRL
RLRalph Lauren Corporat…
3leads
LEVILevi Strauss & Co.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs RLMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
RL6/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
LEVI6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
RL7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
RL5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
LEVI2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
LEVI2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RL leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RL and LEVI operate at a comparable scale, with $7.8B and $6.3B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 11.7% (RL) to 9.2% (LEVI). On growth, RL holds the edge at +12.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | LEVILevi Strauss & Co. | RLRalph Lauren Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $6.3B | $7.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $884M | $1.4B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $578M | $919M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $324M | $695M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +61.7% | +69.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +10.8% | +15.0% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +9.2% | +11.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +5.2% | +8.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -4.0% | +12.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -13.0% | +24.7% |
RL leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
LEVI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 15.6x trailing earnings, LEVI trades at a 49% valuation discount to RL's 30.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, LEVI's 11.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than RL's 42.8x.
| Metric | LEVILevi Strauss & Co. | RLRalph Lauren Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $8.9B | $48.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $10.4B | $49.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 15.64x | 30.87x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 15.12x | 21.98x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.67x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.77x | 42.79x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.41x | 6.86x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.98x | 8.86x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 27.30x | 47.63x |
LEVI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
RL leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
RL delivers a 31.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $32 in annual profit, vs $25 for LEVI. LEVI carries lower financial leverage with a 1.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to RL's 1.03x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), RL scores 8/9 vs LEVI's 7/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | LEVILevi Strauss & Co. | RLRalph Lauren Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +25.4% | +31.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +8.4% | +11.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +13.9% | +20.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +14.8% | +18.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.01x | 1.03x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.5B | $746M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $758M | $1.9B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.3B | $2.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 14.05x | 23.25x |
RL leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
RL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in RL five years ago would be worth $27,197 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,395 for LEVI. Over the past 12 months, RL leads with a +44.0% total return vs LEVI's +36.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors RL at 48.8% vs LEVI's 19.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | LEVILevi Strauss & Co. | RLRalph Lauren Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +10.3% | -0.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +36.1% | +44.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +71.6% | +229.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -16.1% | +172.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +13.7% | +324.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +19.7% | +48.8% |
RL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LEVI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LEVI is the less volatile stock with a 1.40 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than RL's 1.53 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | LEVILevi Strauss & Co. | RLRalph Lauren Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.40x | 1.53x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $24.82 | $393.41 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $16.50 | $246.08 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +91.4% | +91.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 59.5 | 44.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.7M | 534K |
LEVI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
LEVI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates LEVI as "Buy" and RL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 22.0% upside for LEVI (target: $28) vs 19.7% for RL (target: $429). For income investors, LEVI offers the higher dividend yield at 2.35% vs RL's 0.88%.
| Metric | LEVILevi Strauss & Co. | RLRalph Lauren Corp… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $27.67 | $429.13 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 17 | 48 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.3% | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 4 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.53 | $3.14 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.7% | +1.0% |
LEVI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
RL leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). LEVI leads in 3 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility).
Best OverallLevi Strauss & Co. (LEVI)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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LEVI vs RL: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LEVI or RL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) is the stronger pick with 6.
7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 2% for Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI). Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI) offers the better valuation at 15. 6x trailing P/E (15. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI) a "Buy" — based on 17 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — LEVI or RL?
On trailing P/E, Levi Strauss & Co.
(LEVI) is the cheapest at 15. 6x versus Ralph Lauren Corporation at 30. 9x. On forward P/E, Levi Strauss & Co. is actually cheaper at 15. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — LEVI or RL?
Over the past 5 years, Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) delivered a total return of +172.
0%, compared to -16. 1% for Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RL returned +324. 6% versus LEVI's +13. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — LEVI or RL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Levi Strauss & Co.
(LEVI) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 40β versus Ralph Lauren Corporation's 1. 53β — meaning RL is approximately 9% more volatile than LEVI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 101% versus 103% for Ralph Lauren Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — LEVI or RL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) is pulling ahead at 6.
7% versus -1. 2% for Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Levi Strauss & Co. grew EPS 178. 8% year-over-year, compared to 19. 4% for Ralph Lauren Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, RL leads at 4. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — LEVI or RL?
Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) is the more profitable company, earning 10.
5% net margin versus 9. 2% for Levi Strauss & Co. — meaning it keeps 10. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: RL leads at 13. 2% versus 10. 8% for LEVI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RL leads at 68. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is LEVI or RL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Levi Strauss & Co.
(LEVI) trades at 15. 1x forward P/E versus 22. 0x for Ralph Lauren Corporation — 6. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LEVI: 22. 0% to $27. 67.
08Which pays a better dividend — LEVI or RL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI) offers the highest yield at 2. 3%, versus 0. 9% for Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL).
09Is LEVI or RL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (0.
9% yield, +324. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (RL: +324. 6%, LEVI: +13. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between LEVI and RL?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: LEVI is a small-cap deep-value stock; RL is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(LEVI: -4.0% · RL: 12.2%)Net Margin>
%
(LEVI: 9.2% · RL: 11.7%)P/E Ratio<
x
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