Food Distribution
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HFFG vs USFD
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Food Distribution
HFFG vs USFD — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Food Distribution | Food Distribution |
| Market Cap | $97M | $19.16B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.23B | $39.68B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-39M | $677M |
| Gross Margin | 16.9% | 17.4% |
| Operating Margin | 0.5% | 3.1% |
| Forward P/E | 12.8x | 18.2x |
| Total Debt | $122M | $5.72B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $9M | $41M |
HFFG vs USFD — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| HF Foods Group Inc. (HFFG) | 100 | 25.6 | -74.4% |
| US Foods Holding Co… (USFD) | 100 | 453.9 | +353.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HFFG vs USFD
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
HFFG is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.99
- Lower volatility, beta 0.99, Low D/E 59.7%, current ratio 1.18x
- Lower P/E (12.8x vs 18.2x)
USFD carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 4.1%, EPS growth 45.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 5.0%
- 248.8% 10Y total return vs HFFG's -81.3%
- Beta 0.50, current ratio 1.16x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 4.1% revenue growth vs HFFG's 2.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (12.8x vs 18.2x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 1.7% margin vs HFFG's -3.2% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.50 vs HFFG's 0.99 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +25.7% vs HFFG's -52.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 4.8% ROA vs HFFG's -6.7%, ROIC 9.3% vs 1.2% |
HFFG vs USFD — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
HFFG vs USFD — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
USFD leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
USFD is the larger business by revenue, generating $39.7B annually — 32.3x HFFG's $1.2B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 1.7% (USFD) to -3.2% (HFFG).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.2B | $39.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $34M | $1.6B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$39M | $677M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $7M | $848M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +16.9% | +17.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +0.5% | +3.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -3.2% | +1.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +0.5% | +2.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +1.6% | +2.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +15.7% | +6.1% |
Valuation Metrics
HFFG leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, HFFG's 6.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than USFD's 14.7x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $97M | $19.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $210M | $24.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -2.51x | 29.55x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.77x | 18.20x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 6.14x | 14.67x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.08x | 0.49x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.48x | 4.64x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 14.79x | 19.98x |
Profitability & Efficiency
USFD leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
USFD delivers a 15.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $15 in annual profit, vs $-17 for HFFG. HFFG carries lower financial leverage with a 0.60x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to USFD's 1.33x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), USFD scores 7/9 vs HFFG's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -16.8% | +15.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -6.7% | +4.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.2% | +9.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.5% | +12.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.60x | 1.33x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $113M | $5.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $9M | $41M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $122M | $5.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.51x | 3.94x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
USFD leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in USFD five years ago would be worth $21,415 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $3,211 for HFFG. Over the past 12 months, USFD leads with a +25.7% total return vs HFFG's -52.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors USFD at 31.2% vs HFFG's -19.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -16.1% | +16.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -52.6% | +25.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -48.2% | +125.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -67.9% | +114.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -81.3% | +248.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -19.7% | +31.2% |
Risk & Volatility
USFD leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
USFD is the less volatile stock with a 0.50 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than HFFG's 0.99 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. USFD currently trades 85.1% from its 52-week high vs HFFG's 41.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.99x | 0.50x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $4.45 | $102.13 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.38 | $66.89 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +41.1% | +85.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 39.5 | 51.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 192K | 2.2M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates HFFG as "Buy" and USFD as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 173.2% upside for HFFG (target: $5) vs 24.7% for USFD (target: $108).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $5.00 | $108.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 25 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +5.1% |
USFD leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). HFFG leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
HFFG vs USFD: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HFFG or USFD a better buy right now?
For growth investors, US Foods Holding Corp.
(USFD) is the stronger pick with 4. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 2% for HF Foods Group Inc. (HFFG). US Foods Holding Corp. (USFD) offers the better valuation at 29. 6x trailing P/E (18. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate HF Foods Group Inc. (HFFG) a "Buy" — based on 1 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 — HFFG or USFD?
On forward P/E, HF Foods Group Inc.
is actually cheaper at 12. 8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HFFG or USFD?
Over the past 5 years, US Foods Holding Corp.
(USFD) delivered a total return of +114. 1%, compared to -67. 9% for HF Foods Group Inc. (HFFG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: USFD returned +248. 8% versus HFFG's -81. 3%. 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 — HFFG or USFD?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), US Foods Holding Corp.
(USFD) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 50β versus HF Foods Group Inc. 's 0. 99β — meaning HFFG is approximately 98% more volatile than USFD relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, HF Foods Group Inc. (HFFG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 60% versus 133% for US Foods Holding Corp. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — HFFG or USFD?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), US Foods Holding Corp.
(USFD) is pulling ahead at 4. 1% versus 2. 2% for HF Foods Group Inc. (HFFG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: US Foods Holding Corp. grew EPS 45. 5% year-over-year, compared to 20. 7% for HF Foods Group Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, USFD leads at 5. 0% 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 — HFFG or USFD?
US Foods Holding Corp.
(USFD) is the more profitable company, earning 1. 7% net margin versus -3. 2% for HF Foods Group Inc. — meaning it keeps 1. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: USFD leads at 3. 1% versus 0. 5% for HFFG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — USFD leads at 17. 4%, 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 HFFG or USFD more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, HF Foods Group Inc.
(HFFG) trades at 12. 8x forward P/E versus 18. 2x for US Foods Holding Corp. — 5. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HFFG: 173. 2% to $5. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — HFFG or USFD?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
09Is HFFG or USFD better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, US Foods Holding Corp.
(USFD) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 50), +248. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (USFD: +248. 8%, HFFG: -81. 3%), 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 HFFG and USFD?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Defensive sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
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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