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DG or KR or KVUE
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Dollar General (DG) vs. Kroger (KR) vs. Kenvue (KVUE) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Dollar General (DG) has delivered strong one-year gains of over 100%, driven by discount retail demand, though recent weeks show volatility ahead of Q4 earnings.
- Kroger (KR) posted Q4 earnings beats with adjusted EPS of $1.28, but revenue misses and store closures temper modest 2026 growth outlook.
- Kenvue (KVUE) beat Q4 estimates with organic sales growth and advances toward Kimberly-Clark acquisition, yet faces institutional selling and YTD underperformance.
- DG leads in relative momentum, while KR offers stability in groceries; KVUE provides defensive health exposure amid M&A catalysts.
- All three exhibit resilience in consumer staples, with discount and essential goods buffering market shifts in recent market activity.
- AI analysis favors trend consistency and catalysts, positioning one ahead in current conditions.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines Dollar General (DG), Kroger (KR), and Kenvue (KVUE) amid a volatile market environment favoring defensive consumer staples. Dollar General thrives as a discount retailer targeting value-conscious shoppers, Kroger dominates grocery retail with digital enhancements, and Kenvue leads in consumer health products. Traders seeking relative performance insights and investors eyeing sector stability will find value here, as recent earnings, expansions, and strategic shifts highlight contrasts in growth drivers, momentum, and risk profiles in the ongoing economic landscape.
DG Overview and Recent Performance
Dollar General Corporation (DG) operates over 20,900 small-format stores across the U.S. and Mexico, offering affordable essentials like groceries, household items, and seasonal goods to rural and suburban communities. Its low-cost model emphasizes streamlined operations and private labels, capturing budget shoppers.
In recent market activity, DG shares have surged over 100% in the past year, trading around $146, with YTD gains near 10%. Momentum stems from Q3 earnings beats, including EPS of $1.28 exceeding estimates by 35%, and same-store sales up 2.5%. Anticipation builds for Q4 results on March 12, projecting 4.7% revenue growth to $10.78 billion despite EPS pressure, bolstered by a positive 5.38% Earnings Surprise Prediction. Store expansions, remodels under Project Elevate, and board updates support sentiment, though short-term pullbacks reflect broader retail fluctuations.
KR Overview and Recent Performance
The Kroger Co. (KR) is one of the largest U.S. grocery retailers, operating about 2,700 supermarkets, pharmacies, and fuel centers under banners like Ralphs and Fred Meyer. It emphasizes fresh foods, private labels, and omnichannel services including delivery and pickup.
Recent weeks saw KR shares around $74, up about 19% YTD and 12% over one year, reflecting resilience. Q4 fiscal 2025 delivered adjusted EPS of $1.28 beating estimates, though sales of $34.73 billion missed slightly; identical sales without fuel rose 2.4%. New CEO Greg Foran prioritizes AI, affordable fresh foods, and e-commerce profitability for 2026, amid store closures and modest guidance. These factors drive steady performance, balancing growth in digital sales with operational efficiencies.
KVUE Overview and Recent Performance
Kenvue Inc. (KVUE), the world's largest pure-play consumer health firm, markets iconic brands like Tylenol, Neutrogena, and Listerine across self-care, skin health, and essential health segments, generating $15 billion in annual sales globally.
Shares hover near $18, with YTD gains around 7% but one-year declines of 17-22%, amid mixed sentiment. Q4 2025 net sales rose 3.2% with organic growth of 1.2% and adjusted EPS of $0.27 topping estimates by 22%; full-year profitability improved despite softer volumes. Progress toward Kimberly-Clark acquisition, expected H2 2026, alongside innovations and share gains in key regions, bolsters outlook, though institutional exits and competition weigh on recent pricing.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Dollar General (DG) and Kroger (KR) anchor discount grocery retail, with DG's small-box efficiency targeting rural value shoppers versus KR's multi-format scale and pharmacy/fuel diversification. Growth drivers differ: DG via 450+ annual openings and remodels, KR through e-commerce and AI pricing. Kenvue (KVUE) shifts to pure consumer health, contrasting retail peers with stable, recession-resistant demand but higher competition from P&G.
Recent momentum favors DG (100%+ one-year) over KR (12%) and KVUE (-20%), though all show YTD positives. Risks include DG/ KR consumer spending sensitivity versus KVUE's acquisition integration and litigation. Valuations reflect staples appeal, with KVUE potentially undervalued pre-deal; sentiment tilts toward discount plays amid economic caution.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors Dollar General (DG) based on superior trend consistency, one-year outperformance exceeding 100%, and upcoming earnings catalysts with positive surprise potential. Its discount model aligns with value-seeking in uncertain conditions, offering stronger relative positioning over KR's steady but modest growth and KVUE's acquisition uncertainties, though probabilities remain subject to market evolution.
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 whileKR’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s), and KVUE’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).
- DG’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- KR’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- KVUE’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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 KR’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s), and KVUE’s TA Score reflects 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DG’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- KR’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- KVUE’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
DG (@Discount Stores) experienced а +0.48% price change this week, while KR (@Food Retail) price change was -2.76% , and KVUE (@Household/Personal Care) price fluctuated +1.69% 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 @Food Retail industry was +0.96%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.32%, and the average quarterly price growth was +3.18%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Household/Personal Care industry was +2.02%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.74%, and the average quarterly price growth was -7.71%.
Reported Earning Dates
DG is expected to report earnings on May 21, 2026.
KR is expected to report earnings on Jun 11, 2026.
KVUE is expected to report earnings on May 13, 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.
@Food Retail (+0.96% weekly)The food retail industry includes companies that sell food, beverage and household products. Items sold include grocery, gourmet food, fresh produce, and frozen food. Kroger Co., George Weston Ltd., Grocery Outlet Holding Corp., and Sprouts Farmers Markets, Inc. are examples of major food retailers. While e-commerce companies like Amazon have increasingly been ramping-up offerings in the food retail space, several traditional players have also been expanding their online presence to stand their ground against rising competition.
@Household/Personal Care (+2.02% 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.
| DG | KR | KVUE | |
| Capitalization | 26.4B | 43.1B | 33.4B |
| EBITDA | 3.24B | 5.43B | 2.99B |
| Gain YTD | -8.992 | 13.161 | 2.201 |
| P/E Ratio | 17.48 | 45.68 | 22.93 |
| Revenue | 42.7B | 147B | 15.1B |
| Total Cash | N/A | 879M | 1.06B |
| Total Debt | 15.7B | 25.2B | 8.67B |
DG | KR | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 7 | 55 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 33 Fair valued | 57 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 21 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 45 | 77 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 57 | 50 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 55 | 8 | |
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 KR (57) in the Food Retail industry. This means that DG’s stock grew similarly to KR’s over the last 12 months.
KR's Profit vs Risk Rating (21) in the Food Retail industry is significantly better than the same rating for DG (100) in the Discount Stores industry. This means that KR’s stock grew significantly faster than DG’s over the last 12 months.
DG's SMR Rating (45) in the Discount Stores industry is in the same range as KR (77) in the Food Retail industry. This means that DG’s stock grew similarly to KR’s over the last 12 months.
KR's Price Growth Rating (50) in the Food Retail industry is in the same range as DG (57) in the Discount Stores industry. This means that KR’s stock grew similarly to DG’s over the last 12 months.
KR's P/E Growth Rating (8) in the Food Retail industry is somewhat better than the same rating for DG (55) in the Discount Stores industry. This means that KR’s stock grew somewhat faster than DG’s over the last 12 months.
| DG | KR | KVUE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 56% | 1 day ago 63% | 1 day ago 62% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 58% | 1 day ago 58% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 47% | 1 day ago 54% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 54% | 1 day ago 41% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 47% | 1 day ago 55% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 61% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 62% | 4 days ago 57% | 1 day ago 55% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 14 days ago 64% | 1 day ago 46% | 11 days ago 64% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | 1 day ago 69% | 1 day ago 50% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 56% | 1 day ago 61% |
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| HVAC | 37.58 | 0.76 | +2.06% |
| Advisorshares HVAC And Industrials ETF | |||
| QCLR | 27.34 | 0.14 | +0.50% |
| Global X NASDAQ 100® Collar 95-110 ETF | |||
| FTRB | 25.28 | 0.03 | +0.14% |
| Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF | |||
| SJNK | 25.12 | 0.02 | +0.08% |
| State Street® SPDR® Blmbg ST HY Bd ETF | |||
| MVFD | 29.50 | 0.02 | +0.06% |
| Monarch Volume Factor Dividend Tree ETF | |||
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.
KR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KR has been loosely correlated with ACI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 57% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KR jumps, then ACI could also see price increases.
KVUE and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KVUE has been loosely correlated with KMB. These tickers have moved in lockstep 39% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KVUE jumps, then KMB could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To KVUE | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KVUE | 100% | +0.52% | ||
| KMB - KVUE | 39% Loosely correlated | +0.99% | ||
| CL - KVUE | 31% Poorly correlated | +0.57% | ||
| PG - KVUE | 30% Poorly correlated | +1.21% | ||
| UL - KVUE | 28% Poorly correlated | +0.36% | ||
| CLX - KVUE | 28% Poorly correlated | +1.85% | ||
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