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DG vs DLTR
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Dollar General (DG) vs. Dollar Tree (DLTR) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- DG and DLTR operate in the discount retail sector, serving price-sensitive consumers with similar store formats but differing product emphases.
- Both stocks posted earnings beats in their most recent quarters, with DLTR reporting stronger comparable sales growth of 3.5% versus modest gains at DG.
- Year-to-date through late August 2026, DLTR outperformed DG with roughly 7% gains compared to lower single-digit or flat performance for DG.
- Analyst sentiment remains constructive for both, with multiple price-target increases for DLTR and a consensus Buy rating for DG targeting around $135.
- Key contrasts include DLTR’s broader assortment and recent guidance raises versus DG’s focus on rural expansion and operational turnaround initiatives.
- Market positioning favors stability for both amid consumer spending caution, though DLTR has shown relatively firmer momentum in recent weeks.
Introduction
Discount retailers DG and DLTR offer investors exposure to value-oriented consumer spending patterns. This comparison examines their business models, recent financial results, and relative stock performance in the current market environment. Institutional and retail investors evaluating sector allocation or pair trades may find the analysis relevant for assessing positioning within the consumer discretionary space.
DG Overview and Recent Performance
Dollar General operates thousands of small-format stores primarily in rural and suburban U.S. locations, focusing on everyday consumables and general merchandise. In recent market activity, the stock has traded near $123, reflecting modest year-to-date gains amid ongoing turnaround efforts. The company reported first-quarter 2026 results that exceeded earnings expectations, supported by strategic initiatives in non-consumables and digital channels. Sentiment has been influenced by analyst commentary highlighting potential tailwinds from employment trends and store productivity improvements, though the shares continue to trade below longer-term highs.
DLTR Overview and Recent Performance
Dollar Tree manages a large network of stores offering a mix of fixed-price and multi-price merchandise across consumables and discretionary categories. Recent performance shows the stock around $131–132, with year-to-date returns near 7%. First-quarter 2026 results featured 7.2% net sales growth and a 3.5% increase in comparable store sales, prompting an upward revision to full-year adjusted earnings guidance. Positive analyst revisions and multiple price-target increases have supported sentiment, reflecting confidence in margin expansion and share-repurchase activity.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both companies compete in the discount retail sector with overlapping customer bases, yet DG emphasizes smaller rural stores while DLTR maintains larger footprints with broader product variety. Growth drivers differ: DG focuses on store expansion and operational efficiencies, whereas DLTR benefits from assortment flexibility and recent comparable-sales momentum. Recent performance shows DLTR delivering stronger sales growth and more frequent analyst upgrades. Risk factors include consumer spending sensitivity for both, with DG facing additional exposure to rural economic conditions. Market sentiment has tilted slightly more positive toward DLTR on the back of guidance improvements.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as recent sales momentum, guidance revisions, and relative price stability, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a modestly higher probability of favorable positioning to DLTR over the near term. DG demonstrates steady operational progress that could support longer-term consistency. This assessment reflects comparative trend data rather than definitive outcomes.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is DG is a StrongBuy and DLTR is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
DG’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileDLTR’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- DG’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- DLTR’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
DG’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while DLTR’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DG’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
- DLTR’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
DG (@Discount Stores) experienced а +6.61% price change this week, while DLTR (@Discount Stores) price change was -0.20% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Discount Stores industry was +2.17%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.20%, and the average quarterly price growth was +6.36%.
Reported Earning Dates
DG is expected to report earnings on Dec 03, 2026.
DLTR is expected to report earnings on Nov 24, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Discount Stores (+2.17% weekly)Companies in the discount stores industry specialize in offering substantial discounts on a vast array of retail products. Some companies in this industry also operate general merchandise warehouse clubs. Products sold at discount stores are typically similar to those of any department store, but the pricing of the goods is generally much lower (and hence the name “discount”). Think Dollar General Corporation, Dollar Tree, Inc. and Five Below, Inc. Many discount stores target low-income households and/or price-sensitive consumers as their potential market. Discount stores’ profitability could hinge on factors like competitive pricing, sufficient locations, healthy revenue per square foot, and effective advertisement. These store operators could have an edge over other retailers during financial crises or recessions, when many consumers could be looking for less expensive alternatives.
| DG | DLTR | DG / DLTR | |
| Capitalization | 28.9B | 24.8B | 117% |
| EBITDA | 3.32B | 2.42B | 137% |
| Gain YTD | -0.019 | 7.235 | -0% |
| P/E Ratio | 17.00 | 16.17 | 105% |
| Revenue | 43.1B | 19.7B | 219% |
| Total Cash | 1.35B | 1.01B | 134% |
| Total Debt | 15.8B | 7.59B | 208% |
DG | DLTR | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 24 | 70 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 71 Overvalued | 88 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 80 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 47 | 29 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 45 | 30 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 66 | 77 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
DG's Valuation (71) in the Discount Stores industry is in the same range as DLTR (88). This means that DG’s stock grew similarly to DLTR’s over the last 12 months.
DLTR's Profit vs Risk Rating (80) in the Discount Stores industry is in the same range as DG (100). This means that DLTR’s stock grew similarly to DG’s over the last 12 months.
DLTR's SMR Rating (29) in the Discount Stores industry is in the same range as DG (47). This means that DLTR’s stock grew similarly to DG’s over the last 12 months.
DLTR's Price Growth Rating (30) in the Discount Stores industry is in the same range as DG (45). This means that DLTR’s stock grew similarly to DG’s over the last 12 months.
DG's P/E Growth Rating (66) in the Discount Stores industry is in the same range as DLTR (77). This means that DG’s stock grew similarly to DLTR’s over the last 12 months.
| DG | DLTR | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 67% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 68% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 69% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 69% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 72% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 70% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 23 days ago 64% | 8 days ago 66% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 53% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 62% |
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