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DG or KMB or KO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Dollar General (DG) vs. Kimberly-Clark (KMB) vs. Coca-Cola (KO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- DG has shown robust year-to-date gains around 10-15%, driven by strong same-store sales growth and raised fiscal guidance, positioning it as a discount retail leader amid consumer value-seeking.
- KMB trades at a relatively attractive P/E of about 21.5x with YTD performance near 3-4%, supported by transformation initiatives and organic sales growth despite a one-year decline.
- KO offers stability with a market cap over $330B, YTD returns around 10%, a 2.7% dividend yield, and consistent organic revenue growth of 5%.
- All three consumer staples stocks exhibit low betas under 0.4, highlighting defensive qualities, but DG leads in recent momentum while KO excels in scale and dividend reliability.
- Recent earnings beats across the board signal resilience, with DG anticipating Q4 revenue of $10.78B and KMB projecting mid-single-digit profit growth.
- Valuation sensitivity favors KMB on P/E, but DG's 25x P/E reflects growth potential in recent market activity.
Introduction
This stock comparison evaluates DG (Dollar General), KMB (Kimberly-Clark), and KO (Coca-Cola), three defensive consumer staples plays with distinct business models in discount retail, personal care products, and beverages. Investors seeking relative performance insights in a volatile market—particularly those focused on value, stability, and dividend income—will find value here. Amid shifting consumer sentiment toward affordability and essentials, these stocks offer contrasts in growth drivers, momentum, and risk profiles, aiding decisions on market positioning and portfolio allocation.
DG Overview and Recent Performance
Dollar General (DG), a leading discount retailer serving rural and suburban U.S. communities, operates over 19,000 stores focusing on consumables and everyday essentials. In recent market activity, DG shares have traded around $146, with YTD gains of approximately 10-15% and a one-year surge exceeding 76-112%. Same-store sales rose 2.5-2.8% in recent quarters, fueled by traffic increases amid value-seeking consumers. Q3 fiscal 2025 net sales hit $10.6B (up 4.6%), with operating profit up 31.5% and raised full-year guidance to 4.7-4.9% sales growth and $6.30-6.50 EPS. Upcoming Q4 earnings on March 12 anticipate $10.78B revenue, influencing sentiment through inventory management and shrinkage reductions. Beta of 0.22 underscores low volatility, though P/E near 25x reflects growth expectations.
KMB Overview and Recent Performance
Kimberly-Clark (KMB), a global leader in personal care and consumer tissue products like Huggies and Kleenex, emphasizes hygiene essentials. Shares hover near $104-105, with modest YTD performance around 3-4% but a 24% one-year decline, trading at a P/E of 21.5x. Recent quarters showed organic sales growth of 1.7-2.1%, with Q4 2025 net sales at $4.1B (down 0.6% reported but +2.1% organic) and adjusted EPS up 24% to $1.86. Transformation efforts, including efficiency gains targeting 18-20% operating margins by 2030, bolster sentiment. Guidance points to 2026 organic growth in line with or ahead of 2% category trends and mid-to-high single-digit profit expansion. Low beta and undervaluation relative to peers support defensive appeal.
KO Overview and Recent Performance
The Coca-Cola Company (KO), the world's largest beverage firm, boasts a vast portfolio across sodas, waters, and juices with global reach. Trading near $77, KO has delivered YTD returns of about 10%, a P/E of 25.3x, market cap over $330B, and 2.7% dividend yield. Full-year 2025 organic revenues grew 5%, with Q4 net revenues up 2% to $11.8B and comparable EPS up 6% to $0.58. Leadership transitions and a 4% dividend hike reinforce stability. 2026 outlook projects 4-5% organic revenue growth and 7-8% comparable EPS rise, driven by price/mix and volume in key segments like Coke Zero Sugar (up 13-14%). Beta of 0.33 highlights resilience.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
DG, KMB, and KO operate in consumer staples but diverge in models: DG's retail faces shrinkage risks yet benefits from traffic in downturns; KMB's branded essentials drive recurring demand; KO's scale enables global pricing power. Growth drivers include DG's 2.5% comps vs. peers' organic 2-5%. Recent momentum favors DG (YTD +10-15%) over KMB (+3%), with KO steady at +10%. Risks: DG valuation sensitivity post-surge; KMB channel shifts; KO currency headwinds. All share low betas (<0.4), but KMB offers cheapest P/E (21.5x), KO superior yield (2.7%). Sentiment tilts positive on earnings beats, with trade-offs in volatility vs. growth.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors DG due to superior recent momentum, consistent same-store growth, and raised guidance signaling trend strength and catalysts in value retail. While KO leads in stability and KMB in valuation, DG's relative positioning offers higher probabilistic upside in the near term based on observable patterns.
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 Disclaimers and Limitations.
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 whileKMB’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s), and KO’s FA Score reflects 2 green FA rating(s).
- DG’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- KMB’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KMB’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s), and KO’s TA Score reflects 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DG’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
- KMB’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- KO’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
DG (@Discount Stores) experienced а -2.89% price change this week, while KMB (@Household/Personal Care) price change was +1.20% , and KO (@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic) price fluctuated +0.98% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Discount Stores industry was -0.78%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.41%, and the average quarterly price growth was +9.75%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Household/Personal Care industry was +2.76%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.20%, and the average quarterly price growth was -8.38%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Beverages: Non-Alcoholic industry was +1.66%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.85%, and the average quarterly price growth was +164975.86%.
Reported Earning Dates
DG is expected to report earnings on May 21, 2026.
KMB is expected to report earnings on Apr 28, 2026.
KO is expected to report earnings on Apr 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Discount Stores (-0.78% 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.
@Household/Personal Care (+2.76% weekly)Household/Personal Care companies sell products for home cleaning and/or personal hygiene and grooming purposes. Products of this industry include detergents, shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, fabric conditioners and infant care fragrances. Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Estee Lauder and Colgate-Palmolive are some of the biggest names in the business. A lot of the products become a necessary part of people’s daily routine, and therefore the industry is relatively less vulnerable to macroeconomic downturns. At the same time, product quality, consumer safety, and ease of use are extremely critical factors for a company to survive competition and earn recognition in this industry.
@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic (+1.66% 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 | KMB | KO | |
| Capitalization | 25.5B | 32.3B | 333B |
| EBITDA | 3.24B | 3.11B | 18.7B |
| Gain YTD | -12.047 | -2.387 | 11.576 |
| P/E Ratio | 16.89 | 20.02 | 25.48 |
| Revenue | 42.7B | 16.4B | 47.9B |
| Total Cash | N/A | 774M | N/A |
| Total Debt | 15.7B | 7.3B | 45.5B |
DG | KMB | KO | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 5 | 62 | 10 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 31 Undervalued | 16 Undervalued | 42 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | 10 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 45 | 11 | 20 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 59 | 62 | 34 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 62 | 50 | 74 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 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.
KMB's Valuation (16) in the Household Or Personal Care industry is in the same range as DG (31) in the Discount Stores industry, and is in the same range as KO (42) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry. This means that KMB's stock grew similarly to DG’s and similarly to KO’s over the last 12 months.
KO's Profit vs Risk Rating (10) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry is significantly better than the same rating for KMB (100) in the Household Or Personal Care industry, and 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 KMB’s and significantly faster than DG’s over the last 12 months.
KMB's SMR Rating (11) in the Household Or Personal Care industry is in the same range as KO (20) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for DG (45) in the Discount Stores industry. This means that KMB's stock grew similarly to KO’s and somewhat faster than 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 (59) in the Discount Stores industry, and is in the same range as KMB (62) in the Household Or Personal Care industry. This means that KO's stock grew similarly to DG’s and similarly to KMB’s over the last 12 months.
KMB's P/E Growth Rating (50) in the Household Or Personal Care industry is in the same range as DG (62) in the Discount Stores industry, and is in the same range as KO (74) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry. This means that KMB's stock grew similarly to DG’s and similarly to KO’s over the last 12 months.
| DG | KMB | KO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 56% | 1 day ago 40% | 1 day ago 50% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 40% | 1 day ago 33% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 72% | 1 day ago 46% | 1 day ago 33% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 52% | 1 day ago 45% | 1 day ago 36% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 43% | 1 day ago 38% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 45% | 1 day ago 36% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 62% | 3 days ago 42% | 3 days ago 39% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 13 days ago 48% | 23 days ago 29% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | 1 day ago 46% | 1 day ago 27% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 46% | 1 day ago 23% |
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| DGP | 190.69 | 2.72 | +1.45% |
| DB Gold Double Long ETN | |||
| ASMF | 25.39 | 0.06 | +0.22% |
| Virtus AlphaSimplex Managed Futures ETF | |||
| KPRO | 27.37 | N/A | -0.02% |
| KraneShares 100% KWEB Dfnd OutcmJan27ETF | |||
| VSLU | 43.39 | -0.11 | -0.25% |
| Applied Finance Valuation LgCp ETF | |||
| SLYG | 102.16 | -0.64 | -0.62% |
| State Street® SPDR® S&P 600™ Sm Cp GrETF | |||
KMB and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KMB has been loosely correlated with CL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 56% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KMB jumps, then CL 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.