Hormel Foods Corporation
NYSE: HRL · CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · PACKAGED FOODS
Updated 2026-06-05
Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) Stock Valuation Analysis
Fair value estimate, historical valuation range, and quality signals for HRL.
Current price exceeds what fundamentals support. Risk/reward skewed unfavorably.
HRL historical valuation range
Where current P/E sits in HRL's own 5Y range.
HRL intrinsic value (DCF)
DCF-based fair value estimate vs current market price.
Intrinsic value calculated using discounted cash flow (DCF) model based on projected free cash flows, discount rate, and terminal growth assumptions. A positive margin of safety indicates the current price is below estimated fair value, providing a cushion against estimation error.
HRL valuation signals
Quick-read green flags, caution flags, and risks based on current metrics.
P/E Ratio — History
Current: 29.12x
P/S Ratio — History
Current: 1.11x
Is HRL overvalued in 2026?
Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) currently trades at $20.16 per share with a market capitalization of $13,620,295,000.00. Based on our multi-factor framework, the stock appears richly valued with a Smart Value Score of 49/100. This score blends growth quality, financial health, and price attractiveness into a single institutional-grade read.
The stock trades at a P/E ratio of 29.1x, above its 5-year median of 23.9x. The PEG ratio of 1.85 points to a price that reasonably reflects expected earnings growth.
Looking at its own history, HRL is currently trading more expensive than 93% of the last 5Y on P/E. This places it in the 93th percentile of its historical range, a zone where forward returns have typically been muted.
Our discounted cash flow model estimates HRL's intrinsic value at $46.15 per share, against the current market price of $20.16. This implies a margin of safety of +48.10%. A meaningful cushion exists against model error, making this a reasonable risk-adjusted entry.
The Piotroski F-Score of 4/9 puts financial quality in a middling range, neither a standout strength nor an obvious red flag.
Bottom line: HRL appears richly valued on our framework, with a Smart Value Score of 49/100. At current levels the risk/reward is skewed against the buyer. A materially lower price or significant operational improvement would be needed to change the picture.
Frequently asked questions
Is HRL overvalued?
HRL scores 49/100 on our Smart Value Score (Grade C), a weak overall profile. The DCF also shows a positive margin of safety, so price and fundamentals line up reasonably well.
What is HRL's fair value?
Our DCF model estimates HRL's intrinsic value at $46.15 per share, versus the current price of $20.16, a margin of safety of +48.10%. Fair value is the present value of the cash flows we project the business to produce, so a price below it means the market is pricing the stock below that conservative estimate.
What P/E ratio does HRL trade at?
HRL trades at a P/E of 29.1x on trailing twelve-month earnings, against a 5-year median of 23.9x. P/E is what you pay per dollar of profit, and sitting above its own median means the stock is pricier than usual relative to its earnings.
Is HRL a buy based on valuation?
Our Smart Value rating for HRL is Sell, from a Smart Value Score of 49/100 that blends growth, quality, and valuation. The profile skews cautious, and a better price or clearer operating improvement would strengthen the case. This is research to inform your decision, not personalized financial advice.
How does HRL's valuation compare to its history?
On P/E, HRL sits in the 93rd percentile of its own 5Y range, historically expensive relative to where it has traded. A high percentile means today's multiple is near the top of its historical band.
What is HRL's Smart Value Score?
HRL's Smart Value Score is 49/100. It is a proprietary WallStSmart metric blending growth quality, financial health, and valuation into a single 0-100 read, and scores above 75 are rare, signaling strong multi-factor alignment.