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DG vs KO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Dollar General (DG) vs. Coca-Cola (KO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Dollar General (DG) delivered strong Q4 fiscal 2025 results with revenue up 5.9% to $10.91 billion and EPS of $1.93, beating estimates, though shares declined post-earnings on tempered fiscal 2026 guidance of 3.7%-4.2% sales growth.
- Coca-Cola (KO) reported full-year 2025 net revenue of $47.9 billion with organic growth of 5%, guiding for 4%-5% organic revenue growth in 2026 amid stable demand for beverages.
- DG YTD return stands at approximately 6%, with a 1-year gain of 56%, trading at $124.52; KO shows 8% YTD and 10% over 1 year at $74.75, reflecting greater stability.
- Discount retail exposure gives DG cyclical upside in value-seeking environments, while KO's consumer staples positioning offers defensive qualities and consistent dividends.
- Analyst targets suggest upside for both: DG average $149, KO $83, with KO favored for lower volatility.
- Recent market activity highlights DG's recovery momentum versus KO's steady performance amid broader consumer shifts.
Introduction
This stock comparison between Dollar General (DG) and The Coca-Cola Company (KO) evaluates two consumer-facing giants: a discount retailer targeting budget-conscious shoppers and a global beverage leader with staple products. Traders seeking cyclical recovery plays may eye DG, while long-term investors prioritizing stability and dividends often favor KO. In the current market environment, marked by selective consumer spending and economic uncertainty, understanding their relative performance, growth drivers, and risk profiles aids informed positioning in stock comparison analysis. This review draws on recent earnings, guidance, and market data for a balanced view of their trajectories.
DG Overview and Recent Performance
Dollar General (DG), headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, operates over 20,000 discount stores primarily in rural U.S. communities, offering consumables, home products, and seasonal items at low prices. In recent market activity, DG reported robust Q4 fiscal 2025 results, with net sales rising 5.9% to $10.91 billion and same-store sales up 4.3%, driven by traffic growth in nonfood categories and holiday promotions. EPS reached $1.93, surpassing expectations. However, fiscal 2026 guidance for 3.7%-4.2% net sales growth and 2.2%-2.7% same-store sales tempered enthusiasm, citing selective spending among low-income consumers and competition, leading to post-earnings share pressure. Shares trade around $124 within a 52-week range of $82-$158, with YTD gains near 6% amid sector challenges. Sentiment reflects optimism on store expansions and efficiencies but caution over macroeconomic headwinds influencing budget retail performance.
KO Overview and Recent Performance
The Coca-Cola Company (KO), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a leading nonalcoholic beverage producer with iconic brands like Coca-Cola, Sprite, and emerging lines in water, sports drinks, and plant-based options, distributed globally via bottling partners. Recent performance underscores resilience, with full-year 2025 net revenues at $47.9 billion and organic growth of 5%, fueled by pricing, premium mixes, and volume gains in emerging markets. Q4 results showed adjusted EPS of $0.58 meeting views, though revenue slightly missed amid a BODYARMOR impairment. Fiscal 2026 outlook projects 4%-5% organic revenue growth and 7%-8% comparable EPS expansion, supported by innovation and system efficiencies. Trading at $74.75 in a 52-week range of $65-$82, KO has posted 8% YTD returns, bolstered by steady demand and dividend reliability. Market sentiment favors its defensive positioning amid fluctuating consumer preferences.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Dollar General (DG) and Coca-Cola (KO) diverge in business models: DG’s discount retail thrives on high-frequency, low-margin consumables sales in underserved areas, contrasting KO’s asset-light concentrate model with global bottler leverage for steady royalties. Growth drivers for DG include store remodels and nonfood expansion amid value shifts, while KO relies on pricing power, emerging markets, and portfolio diversification. Recent momentum shows DG rebounding sharply over one year (56%) post-lows but volatile after guidance, versus KO’s consistent 10% annual gains. Risk factors highlight DG’s sensitivity to discretionary pullbacks and competition from big-box rivals, against KO’s exposure to commodity costs and health trends. Sector-wise, DG ties to cyclical retail, KO to resilient staples. Sentiment leans toward KO for reliability, DG for relative value in recoveries.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors Coca-Cola (KO) over Dollar General (DG), based on superior trend consistency, lower volatility, and stronger positioning in defensive consumer staples amid uncertain spending. KO’s reliable organic growth outlook and global diversification edge out DG’s higher-beta recovery potential, which faces headwinds from conservative guidance. Probabilistic models highlight KO’s catalysts like innovation and dividends for sustained outperformance in varied conditions.
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. Disclaimers and Limitations
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 Hold and KO is a Buy.
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 1 FA rating(s) are green whileKO’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- DG’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- KO’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 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KO’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DG’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- KO’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
DG (@Discount Stores) experienced а +0.48% price change this week, while KO (@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic) price change was +1.90% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Discount Stores industry was +0.71%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.87%, and the average quarterly price growth was +11.43%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Beverages: Non-Alcoholic industry was +2.02%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.13%, and the average quarterly price growth was +164976.25%.
Reported Earning Dates
DG is expected to report earnings on May 21, 2026.
KO is expected to report earnings on Apr 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Discount Stores (+0.71% 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.
@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic (+2.02% weekly)Non-alcoholic drinks include traces of alcohol or low alcohol content or without alcohol or alcohol removed. Functional Beverages, Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSDs), Sports Drinks, Fruit Beverages, and Bottled Water are some common types of non-alcoholic beverages. The largest segment in this market is soft drinks (think Pepsi and Coke). Many established companies in this space have also been stepping up production of low to zero-calorie varieties in recent years, to cater to a rising number of health-conscious consumers. Coca-Cola Company, Pepsico Inc, Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. and Monster Beverage Corporation are some major non-alcoholic beverage makers.
| DG | KO | DG / KO | |
| Capitalization | 26.4B | 336B | 8% |
| EBITDA | 3.24B | 18.7B | 17% |
| Gain YTD | -8.992 | 12.598 | -71% |
| P/E Ratio | 17.48 | 25.72 | 68% |
| Revenue | 42.7B | 47.9B | 89% |
| Total Cash | N/A | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 15.7B | 45.5B | 35% |
DG | KO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 7 | 13 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 33 Fair valued | 43 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 9 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 45 | 20 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 57 | 34 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 55 | 70 | |
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 (33) in the Discount Stores industry is in the same range as KO (43) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry. This means that DG’s stock grew similarly to KO’s over the last 12 months.
KO's Profit vs Risk Rating (9) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is significantly better than the same rating for DG (100) in the Discount Stores industry. This means that KO’s stock grew significantly faster than DG’s over the last 12 months.
KO's SMR Rating (20) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is in the same range as DG (45) in the Discount Stores industry. This means that KO’s stock grew similarly to DG’s over the last 12 months.
KO's Price Growth Rating (34) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is in the same range as DG (57) in the Discount Stores industry. This means that KO’s stock grew similarly to DG’s over the last 12 months.
DG's P/E Growth Rating (55) in the Discount Stores industry is in the same range as KO (70) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry. This means that DG’s stock grew similarly to KO’s over the last 12 months.
| DG | KO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 56% | 1 day ago 46% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 27% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 32% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 54% | 1 day ago 30% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 38% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 36% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 62% | 1 day ago 39% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 14 days ago 64% | 21 days ago 29% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | 1 day ago 22% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 24% |
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| EEMV | 67.74 | 0.12 | +0.18% |
| iShares MSCI Emerg Mkts Min Vol Fctr ETF | |||
| PMAP | 26.88 | 0.03 | +0.11% |
| PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April | |||
| BDDXF | 8.75 | N/A | N/A |
| Deutsche Bank AG (London Branch) | |||
| VIDI | 37.66 | -0.02 | -0.05% |
| Vident International Equity Strategy ETF | |||
| SOVF | 27.45 | -0.08 | -0.31% |
| Sovereign's Capital Flourish Fund | |||
DG and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, DG has been loosely correlated with DLTR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 43% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if DG jumps, then DLTR could also see price increases.
KO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KO has been loosely correlated with CCEP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 60% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KO jumps, then CCEP could also see price increases.