LIVE
DG
Dollar General Corporation · Consumer Discretionary - Dollar Stores
$113.45
+9.63% this month
VERSUS
⟷
COMPARE
DLTR
Dollar Tree, Inc. · Consumer Discretionary - Dollar Stores
$111.65
+23.22% this month
Scoreboard verdict
Across AI score, momentum, valuation, upside, operating margin
DG
2
DLTR
3
Comparison scoreboard
DLTR LEADS 3/5AI Score
DG 40.7
DLTR ✓41.1
1Y Return
DG +0.11%
DLTR ✓+13.52%
Fwd P/E
DG ✓14.35
DLTR 14.91
Target Up.
DG ✓+14.32%
DLTR +9.65%
Op. Margin
DG 5.92%
DLTR ✓9.09%
Metrics last refreshed: 6/20/2026
Quick take
DG vs DLTR Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
DG (Dollar General) and DLTR (Dollar Tree) are the two dominant dollar store chains serving different retail niches — Dollar General focuses on everyday consumables in rural markets with flexible pricing and the largest store network in America, while Dollar Tree has its unique fixed-price-point model ($1.25) for treasure hunt shopping alongside the challenged Family Dollar acquisition. Both face execution challenges but serve the structural trend of lower-income consumers seeking maximum value.
DG vs DLTR is largest U.S. dollar store network in rural markets executing a back-to-basics recovery (Dollar General's 20,000+ rural stores with consumables focus under returning CEO working to restore same-store sales and margin performance) versus fixed price point retail concept with strategic review of challenged Family Dollar acquisition (Dollar Tree's unique $1.25 price identity with Family Dollar separation potentially unlocking significant value by allowing each banner to operate independently) — rural consumables scale versus fixed-price brand with strategic portfolio simplification.
Live analysis · updated 6/20/2026
DLTR holds the edge across 3 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. DLTR has delivered stronger 1-year price return (+13.52% vs +0.11%), though DG trades at the lower forward P/E (14.35x vs 14.91x). DLTR leads on both revenue growth (7.20%) and operating margin (9.09%), suggesting a stronger fundamental setup on both dimensions. Analyst consensus implies meaningfully more upside for DG (+14.32%) than for DLTR (+9.65%).
Normalized 1Y performance
DG
DLTR
Recent returns
DG
DLTR
Analyst price targets & sentiment
DG
Price target range
analyst mean$131.24
current price$113.45
+14.3% upside to analyst mean
DLTR
Price target range
analyst mean$125.00
current price$111.65
+9.6% upside to analyst mean
Who should consider this stock?
DG may suit investors who:
- →Believe Dollar General's back-to-basics execution recovery under returning CEO Todd Vasos will restore same-store sales trends and margins in its rural American store network
- →Value Dollar General's consumer staples-like demand characteristics (80% consumables) as providing defensive characteristics relative to more discretionary retailers during economic stress
- →See Dollar General's rural store network (often the only retail option in communities it serves) as a durable competitive position that limits competition from Walmart, Target, and other large retailers
DLTR may suit investors who:
- →See Family Dollar separation (sale or spinoff) as a significant potential catalyst — DLTR stock may be undervalued because Family Dollar's underperformance obscures the Dollar Tree banner's value; separating the two could release embedded value
- →Value the Dollar Tree banner's unique fixed-price-point treasure hunt retail concept as a differentiated format with strong consumer loyalty for party supplies, seasonal, and impulse purchases
- →Believe Dollar Tree's value offering in suburban markets provides durable consumer appeal as lower and middle income households seek maximum value
Performance & AI score
| Metric | DG | DLTR |
|---|---|---|
| AI score | 40.7 | 41.1 |
| AI rank | #1024 | #991 |
| Latest close | $113.45 | $111.65 |
| 1M return | +9.63% | +23.22% |
| 6M return | -17.17% | -13.01% |
| 1Y return | +0.11% | +13.52% |
$10,000 invested — hypothetical growth (dividends reinvested)
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | DG | DLTR |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $10.1K (+1.0%) started 2025-06-18 | $11.45K (+14.5%) started 2025-06-18 |
| 5Y ago | $6K (-40.0%) started 2021-06-21 | $11.03K (+10.3%) started 2021-06-21 |
| 10Y ago | $15.66K (+56.6%) started 2016-06-20 | $12.07K (+20.7%) started 2016-06-20 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
Valuation & upside potential
| Metric | DG | DLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Market cap | $25.32B | $21.91B |
| Trailing P/E | 16.24 | 18.33 |
| Forward P/E | 14.35 | 14.91 |
| Price/Sales | N/A | N/A |
| EV/Revenue | 0.92 | 1.44 |
| Analyst target | $131.24 | $125.00 |
| Target upside | +14.32% | +9.65% |
Growth, profitability & risk
| Metric | DG | DLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth | 3.40% | 7.20% |
| Earnings growth | 12.40% | 9.50% |
| EPS growth | +12.40% | +9.50% |
| FCF margin | +4.37% | +7.31% |
| Operating margin | 5.92% | 9.09% |
| Profit margin | 3.63% | 6.51% |
| ROIC proxy | 18.91% | 33.98% |
| Return on equity | 18.91% | 33.98% |
| Dividend yield | 2.06% | N/A |
| Beta | 0.26 | 0.66 |
| Debt/equity | 178.65 | 216.52 |
| Current ratio | 1.17 | 1.16 |
| Quick ratio | 0.19 | 0.32 |
Drawdown & downside risk
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
1Y risk snapshot
DG max drawdown34.88%
DLTR max drawdown38.53%
DG max wkly drop12.56%
DLTR max wkly drop13.52%
5Y risk snapshot
DG max drawdown72.61%
DLTR max drawdown64.84%
DG max wkly drop35.20%
DLTR max wkly drop33.38%
10Y risk snapshot
DG max drawdown72.61%
DLTR max drawdown64.84%
DG max wkly drop35.20%
DLTR max wkly drop33.38%
Performance metrics by period
| Period | Metric | DG | DLTR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growth | +1.02% | +14.48% |
| CAGR | +1.02% | +14.50% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.08 | 0.42 | |
| Max drawdown | 34.88% | 38.53% | |
| Max daily drop | 7.64% | 8.37% | |
| Max wkly drop | 12.56% | 13.52% | |
| 5Y | Growth | -43.67% | +10.34% |
| CAGR | -10.86% | +1.99% | |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.25 | 0.14 | |
| Max drawdown | 72.61% | 64.84% | |
| Max daily drop | 32.15% | 22.16% | |
| Max wkly drop | 35.20% | 33.38% | |
| 10Y | Growth | +39.31% | +20.73% |
| CAGR | +3.37% | +1.90% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.13 | 0.12 | |
| Max drawdown | 72.61% | 64.84% | |
| Max daily drop | 32.15% | 22.16% | |
| Max wkly drop | 35.20% | 33.38% |
Business comparison
| Category | DG | DLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Dollar General Corporation | Dollar Tree, Inc. |
| Sector | Consumer Defensive | Consumer Defensive |
| Industry | N/A | N/A |
| Core business | Dollar General is the largest dollar store chain by store count — operating 20,000+ stores primarily in rural and small-town markets across 48 states. Unlike Dollar Tree's fixed-price model, Dollar General offers a wider range of price points focused on everyday essentials (food, household products, personal care, cleaning supplies, tobacco) at prices generally under $10 with a mix of national brands and private label. Dollar General's target customer is the lower-to-middle income consumer looking for value on daily necessities. DG's DG Fresh initiative has expanded refrigerated food offerings. | Dollar Tree operates two store banners: Dollar Tree stores (fixed $1.25 price point, 8,000+ stores offering a curated assortment of party supplies, seasonal items, household goods, health/beauty, and food at a single low price) and Family Dollar stores (multi-price format similar to Dollar General, serving urban and suburban lower-income consumers, acquired by Dollar Tree in 2015 for $8.5B). Dollar Tree is exploring strategic alternatives for Family Dollar, including a potential sale or spinoff after the acquisition proved challenging. |
| Investor focus | Investors track Dollar General's same-store sales growth (driven by transaction count and basket size), new store openings and ROIC, private label penetration, the performance of Project Elevate (store productivity improvements), back-to-basics strategy under CEO Todd Vasos who returned in 2023, and operating margin recovery. | Investors track Dollar Tree banner same-store sales and the fixed price model's ability to maintain value perception after the move from $1.00 to $1.25 price points, Family Dollar's ongoing underperformance and strategic review outcome, store closures and portfolio optimization, and potential upside from separating the two banners into independent companies. |
DG strengths
- →Largest dollar store network in rural America with limited retail competition — Dollar General's 20,000+ stores in rural and small-town markets often face no direct competition (no Walmart, Target, or grocery store nearby); this captive customer base reduces competitive pressure significantly
- →Consumables focus drives frequent, recurring visits — Dollar General generates approximately 80% of sales from consumables (food, household products, health/beauty); consumables create high-frequency shopping trips (weekly or more) versus discretionary retailers
- →Demographic tailwind from lower-income consumer value seeking — Dollar General serves consumers who prioritize price above all other factors; economic pressure on lower-to-middle income households increases the value of Dollar General's offering
DLTR strengths
- →Dollar Tree banner's fixed price point creates unique consumer appeal — $1.25 (formerly $1) fixed pricing creates a treasure hunt shopping experience; consumers know every item is the same low price, encouraging impulse purchases and making it a destination for party supplies, seasonal goods, and stocking stuffers
- →Family Dollar sale or spinoff could unlock significant value — Family Dollar has been a drag on Dollar Tree's financial performance and stock since the 2015 acquisition; separating the two banners would allow each to trade on its own merits and likely benefit Dollar Tree's valuation
- →Fixed price model provides partial inflation protection — Dollar Tree can respond to inflation by reducing product size or changing suppliers rather than raising prices (in the short term), maintaining the $1.25 price integrity that defines the brand
Risks to watch — DG
- →Execution challenges and leadership instability — Dollar General replaced its CEO in 2022, experienced a proxy fight from activist investor Ancora, and has faced multiple years of same-store sales disappointment and margin pressure; operational execution has been a concern
- →Shoplifting and loss prevention costs — Dollar General stores are often understaffed and located in areas with higher theft rates; shrink (inventory loss to theft and damage) has been a significant earnings headwind
- →Labor cost pressures and store staffing challenges — Dollar General's rural store model relies on lean staffing; minimum wage increases and labor availability challenges increase labor costs in the low-margin dollar store model
Risks to watch — DLTR
- →Family Dollar persistently underperforms Dollar General in the competitive multi-price discount segment — Family Dollar stores serve similar demographics as Dollar General but with lower productivity per store; 800+ Family Dollar store closures underscore structural challenges
- →Dollar Tree's $1.00 to $1.25 price increase created brand confusion — Dollar Tree's identity was built on the $1 price point; the necessary increase to $1.25 (and multi-price items at $1.25, $3, $5) has been confusing for some consumers and created brand perception challenges
- →Urban Family Dollar stores face higher theft and security costs — Family Dollar's urban store concentration creates higher shrink losses; loss prevention costs reduce already thin margins
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