ODP vs HNI

For growth investors, HNI Corporation (HNI) is the stronger pick with 12.

4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -10. 6% for The ODP Corporation (ODP). HNI Corporation (HNI) offers the better valuation at 31. 3x trailing P/E (8. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate The ODP Corporation (ODP) a "Buy" — based on 4 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.

On forward P/E, HNI Corporation is actually cheaper at 8.

6x.

Over the past 5 years, HNI Corporation (HNI) delivered a total return of -7.

3%, compared to -36. 9% for The ODP Corporation (ODP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HNI returned +9. 3% versus ODP's -49. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), HNI Corporation (HNI) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

07β versus The ODP Corporation's 1. 53β — meaning ODP is approximately 43% more volatile than HNI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, HNI Corporation (HNI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 89% versus 131% for The ODP Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), HNI Corporation (HNI) is pulling ahead at 12.

4% versus -10. 6% for The ODP Corporation (ODP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: HNI Corporation grew EPS -61. 5% year-over-year, compared to -102. 5% for The ODP Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, HNI leads at 6. 3% 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.

HNI Corporation (HNI) is the more profitable company, earning 1.

9% net margin versus -0. 0% for The ODP Corporation — meaning it keeps 1. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HNI leads at 8. 4% versus 2. 3% for ODP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HNI leads at 41. 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.

On forward earnings alone, HNI Corporation (HNI) trades at 8.

6x forward P/E versus 9. 9x for The ODP Corporation — 1. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

In this comparison, HNI (3.

7% yield) pays a dividend. ODP does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, HNI Corporation (HNI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

07), 3. 7% yield). The ODP Corporation (ODP) carries a higher beta of 1. 53 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (HNI: +9. 3%, ODP: -49. 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (ODP (Consumer Cyclical) and HNI (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: ODP is a small-cap quality compounder stock; HNI is a small-cap income-oriented stock. HNI pays a dividend while ODP 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.