HLF
Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
Packaged Foods
Market Cap$1.50B
5Y Perf.-66.9%
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Stock Comparison
HLF vs MGPI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MGPI
MGP Ingredients, Inc.
Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries
Market Cap$408M
5Y Perf.-49.1%
HLF vs MGPI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | HLF | MGPI |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Packaged Foods | Beverages - Wineries & Distilleries |
| Market Cap | $1.50B | $408M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $5.13B | $521M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $240M | $-240M |
| Gross Margin | 76.5% | 36.4% |
| Operating Margin | 6.4% | -51.2% |
| Forward P/E | 5.6x | 12.1x |
| Total Debt | $2.34B | $267M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $353M | $18M |
HLF vs MGPI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
HLF
MGPI
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herbalife Nutrition… (HLF) | 100 | 33.1 | -66.9% |
| MGP Ingredients, In… (MGPI) | 100 | 50.9 | -49.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HLF vs MGPI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: HLF leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. MGP Ingredients, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
HLF
Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
The Growth Play
HLF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 0.9%, EPS growth -12.0%, 3Y rev CAGR -1.1%
- 0.9% revenue growth vs MGPI's -23.8%
- Lower P/E (5.6x vs 12.1x)
Best for: growth exposure
MGPI
MGP Ingredients, Inc.
The Income Pick
MGPI is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.63, yield 2.5%
- -17.3% 10Y total return vs HLF's -53.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.63, Low D/E 37.2%, current ratio 2.61x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | HLF | 0.9% revenue growth vs MGPI's -23.8% |
| Value | HLF | Lower P/E (5.6x vs 12.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | HLF | 4.7% margin vs MGPI's -46.0% |
| Stability / Safety | MGPI | Beta 0.63 vs HLF's 1.79 |
| Dividends | MGPI | 2.5% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | HLF | +113.4% vs MGPI's -38.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | HLF | 8.6% ROA vs MGPI's -19.1%, ROIC 24.3% vs -6.7% |
HLF vs MGPI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
HLF vs MGPI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLHLFLAGGINGMGPI
MGPIMGP Ingredients, Inc.
1leads
HLFHerbalife Nutrition L…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MGPIMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
HLF5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
HLF5/7
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
HLF4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
MGPI1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HLF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HLF is the larger business by revenue, generating $5.1B annually — 9.8x MGPI's $521M. HLF is the more profitable business, keeping 4.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MGPI's -46.0%. On growth, HLF holds the edge at +7.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | HLFHerbalife Nutriti… | MGPIMGP Ingredients, … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $5.1B | $521M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $417M | -$249M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $240M | -$240M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $374M | $54M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +76.5% | +36.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +6.4% | -51.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +4.7% | -46.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +7.3% | +10.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.8% | -12.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +16.3% | -44.0% |
HLF leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — HLF and MGPI each lead in 2 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | HLFHerbalife Nutriti… | MGPIMGP Ingredients, … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.5B | $408M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.5B | $656M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 6.59x | -3.83x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 5.63x | 12.10x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 6.19x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.30x | 0.76x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 0.57x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 5.92x | 5.37x |
Evenly matched — HLF and MGPI each lead in 2 of 4 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
HLF leads this category, winning 5 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HLF scores 5/9 vs MGPI's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | HLFHerbalife Nutriti… | MGPIMGP Ingredients, … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | — | -32.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +8.6% | -19.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +24.3% | -6.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +27.0% | -8.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 0.37x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.0B | $248M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $353M | $18M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.3B | $267M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.64x | -40.23x |
HLF leads this category, winning 5 of 7 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
HLF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MGPI five years ago would be worth $3,401 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,888 for HLF. Over the past 12 months, HLF leads with a +113.4% total return vs MGPI's -38.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors HLF at 1.0% vs MGPI's -41.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | HLFHerbalife Nutriti… | MGPIMGP Ingredients, … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +13.0% | -20.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +113.4% | -38.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +3.1% | -79.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -71.1% | -66.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -53.6% | -17.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +1.0% | -41.3% |
HLF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — HLF and MGPI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MGPI is the less volatile stock with a 0.63 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than HLF's 1.79 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. HLF currently trades 71.0% from its 52-week high vs MGPI's 54.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | HLFHerbalife Nutriti… | MGPIMGP Ingredients, … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.79x | 0.63x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $20.40 | $34.99 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.59 | $16.45 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +71.0% | +54.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 53.5 | 47.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 279K |
Evenly matched — HLF and MGPI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
MGPI leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates HLF as "Buy" and MGPI as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 51.9% upside for MGPI (target: $29) vs 10.4% for HLF (target: $16). MGPI is the only dividend payer here at 2.53% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | HLFHerbalife Nutriti… | MGPIMGP Ingredients, … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $16.00 | $29.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 26 | 14 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +2.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.48 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.5% | +0.3% |
MGPI leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
HLF leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). MGPI leads in 1 (Analyst Outlook). 2 tied.
Best OverallHerbalife Nutrition Ltd. (HLF)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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HLF vs MGPI: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HLF or MGPI a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
(HLF) is the stronger pick with 0. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -23. 8% for MGP Ingredients, Inc. (MGPI). Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (HLF) offers the better valuation at 6. 6x trailing P/E (5. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (HLF) a "Buy" — based on 26 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 — HLF or MGPI?
On forward P/E, Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
is actually cheaper at 5. 6x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HLF or MGPI?
Over the past 5 years, MGP Ingredients, Inc.
(MGPI) delivered a total return of -66. 0%, compared to -71. 1% for Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (HLF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MGPI returned -17. 3% versus HLF's -53. 6%. 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 — HLF or MGPI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), MGP Ingredients, Inc.
(MGPI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 63β versus Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. 's 1. 79β — meaning HLF is approximately 184% more volatile than MGPI relative to the S&P 500.
05Which is growing faster — HLF or MGPI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
(HLF) is pulling ahead at 0. 9% versus -23. 8% for MGP Ingredients, Inc. (MGPI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. grew EPS -12. 0% year-over-year, compared to -419. 9% for MGP Ingredients, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, HLF leads at -1. 1% 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 — HLF or MGPI?
Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
(HLF) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 5% net margin versus -20. 1% for MGP Ingredients, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HLF leads at 8. 8% versus -17. 6% for MGPI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HLF leads at 75. 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 HLF or MGPI more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
(HLF) trades at 5. 6x forward P/E versus 12. 1x for MGP Ingredients, Inc. — 6. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MGPI: 51. 9% to $29. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — HLF or MGPI?
In this comparison, MGPI (2.
5% yield) pays a dividend. HLF does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is HLF or MGPI better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, MGP Ingredients, Inc.
(MGPI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 63), 2. 5% yield). Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (HLF) carries a higher beta of 1. 79 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MGPI: -17. 3%, HLF: -53. 6%), 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 HLF and MGPI?
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.
In terms of investment character: HLF is a small-cap deep-value stock; MGPI is a small-cap quality compounder stock. MGPI pays a dividend while HLF does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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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