SFD
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Agricultural Farm Products
Market Cap$10.29B
5Y Perf.+21.7%
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Stock Comparison
SFD vs CAG
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CAG
Conagra Brands, Inc.
Packaged Foods
Market Cap$6.73B
5Y Perf.-45.7%
SFD vs CAG — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | SFD | CAG |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Agricultural Farm Products | Packaged Foods |
| Market Cap | $10.29B | $6.73B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $15.56B | $11.18B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.01B | $13M |
| Gross Margin | 13.4% | 24.6% |
| Operating Margin | 8.6% | 13.1% |
| Forward P/E | 9.8x | 8.3x |
| Total Debt | $2.40B | $8.31B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.54B | $68M |
SFD vs CAG — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
SFD
CAG
| Stock | Jan 25 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smithfield Foods, I… (SFD) | 100 | 121.7 | +21.7% |
| Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG) | 100 | 54.3 | -45.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: SFD vs CAG
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: SFD leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Conagra Brands, Inc. 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.
SFD
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
The Growth Play
SFD carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 7.3%, EPS growth 18.0%
- 34.1% 10Y total return vs CAG's -27.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.30, Low D/E 33.9%, current ratio 2.97x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
CAG
Conagra Brands, Inc.
The Income Pick
CAG is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 6 yrs, beta 0.06, yield 9.9%
- Beta 0.06, yield 9.9%, current ratio 0.71x
- Lower P/E (8.3x vs 9.8x)
Best for: income & stability and defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SFD | 7.3% revenue growth vs CAG's -4.8% |
| Value | CAG | Lower P/E (8.3x vs 9.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | SFD | 6.5% margin vs CAG's 0.1% |
| Stability / Safety | CAG | Beta 0.06 vs SFD's 0.30 |
| Dividends | CAG | 9.9% yield, 6-year raise streak, vs SFD's 3.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | SFD | +22.3% vs CAG's -33.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SFD | 8.6% ROA vs CAG's 0.1%, ROIC 12.2% vs 6.0% |
SFD vs CAG — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
SFD vs CAG — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLSFDLAGGINGCAG
CAGConagra Brands, Inc.
2leads
SFDSmithfield Foods, Inc.
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CAGMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CAG5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
SFD8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
SFD6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
CAG2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — SFD and CAG each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SFD and CAG operate at a comparable scale, with $15.6B and $11.2B in trailing revenue. SFD is the more profitable business, keeping 6.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CAG's 0.1%. On growth, SFD holds the edge at +0.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | SFDSmithfield Foods,… | CAGConagra Brands, I… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $15.6B | $11.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.6B | $1.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.0B | $13M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $813M | $634M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +13.4% | +24.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +8.6% | +13.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +6.5% | +0.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +5.2% | +5.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +0.8% | -6.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.9% | -3.4% |
Evenly matched — SFD and CAG each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CAG leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.8x trailing earnings, CAG trades at a 44% valuation discount to SFD's 10.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, SFD's 6.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CAG's 8.5x.
| Metric | SFDSmithfield Foods,… | CAGConagra Brands, I… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $10.3B | $6.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $11.1B | $15.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 10.43x | 5.84x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 9.83x | 8.28x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.84x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 6.86x | 8.53x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.66x | 0.58x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.45x | 0.75x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 14.33x | 5.17x |
CAG leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SFD leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SFD delivers a 14.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $15 in annual profit, vs $0 for CAG. SFD carries lower financial leverage with a 0.34x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CAG's 0.93x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CAG scores 6/9 vs SFD's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | SFDSmithfield Foods,… | CAGConagra Brands, I… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +14.7% | +0.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +8.6% | +0.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +12.2% | +6.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +12.4% | +8.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.34x | 0.93x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $857M | $8.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.5B | $68M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.4B | $8.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 34.71x | 1.56x |
SFD leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SFD leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SFD five years ago would be worth $13,413 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,463 for CAG. Over the past 12 months, SFD leads with a +22.3% total return vs CAG's -33.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SFD at 10.3% vs CAG's -21.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SFDSmithfield Foods,… | CAGConagra Brands, I… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +19.6% | -14.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +22.3% | -33.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +34.1% | -51.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +34.1% | -45.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +34.1% | -27.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +10.3% | -21.5% |
SFD leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — SFD and CAG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CAG is the less volatile stock with a 0.06 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SFD's 0.30 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SFD currently trades 87.8% from its 52-week high vs CAG's 59.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | SFDSmithfield Foods,… | CAGConagra Brands, I… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.30x | 0.06x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $29.80 | $23.56 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $21.08 | $13.61 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +87.8% | +59.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 42.2 | 34.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.5M | 14.1M |
Evenly matched — SFD and CAG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
CAG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SFD as "Buy" and CAG as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 24.7% upside for CAG (target: $18) vs 22.3% for SFD (target: $32). For income investors, CAG offers the higher dividend yield at 9.94% vs SFD's 3.85%.
| Metric | SFDSmithfield Foods,… | CAGConagra Brands, I… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $32.00 | $17.55 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 4 | 25 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.9% | +9.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 6 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.01 | $1.40 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.0% |
CAG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CAG leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). SFD leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 2 tied.
Best OverallSmithfield Foods, Inc. (SFD)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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SFD vs CAG: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SFD or CAG a better buy right now?
Conagra Brands, Inc.
(CAG) offers the better valuation at 5. 8x trailing P/E (8. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Smithfield Foods, Inc. (SFD) 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.
02Which has the better valuation — SFD or CAG?
On trailing P/E, Conagra Brands, Inc.
(CAG) is the cheapest at 5. 8x versus Smithfield Foods, Inc. at 10. 4x. On forward P/E, Conagra Brands, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SFD or CAG?
Over the past 5 years, Smithfield Foods, Inc.
(SFD) delivered a total return of +34. 1%, compared to -45. 4% for Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SFD returned +34. 1% versus CAG's -27. 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 — SFD or CAG?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Conagra Brands, Inc.
(CAG) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 06β versus Smithfield Foods, Inc. 's 0. 30β — meaning SFD is approximately 389% more volatile than CAG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Smithfield Foods, Inc. (SFD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 34% versus 93% for Conagra Brands, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — SFD or CAG?
Conagra Brands, Inc.
(CAG) is the more profitable company, earning 9. 9% net margin versus 6. 4% for Smithfield Foods, Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CAG leads at 11. 8% versus 8. 3% for SFD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CAG leads at 25. 9%, 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.
06Is SFD or CAG more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Conagra Brands, Inc.
(CAG) trades at 8. 3x forward P/E versus 9. 8x for Smithfield Foods, Inc. — 1. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CAG: 24. 7% to $17. 55.
07Which pays a better dividend — SFD or CAG?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG) offers the highest yield at 9. 9%, versus 3. 9% for Smithfield Foods, Inc. (SFD).
08Is SFD or CAG better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Conagra Brands, Inc.
(CAG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 06), 9. 9% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CAG: -27. 6%, SFD: +34. 1%), 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.
09What are the main differences between SFD and CAG?
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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