Big Decline for KHC, but Do CALM’s Margins and Growth Give It the Edge?
Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Kraft Heinz (KHC), suggesting you may be better off investing in CALM
- CALM’s quarterly revenue growth was 72.2%, vs. KHC’s -1.9%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 83.2%, ahead of KHC’s -3.8%.
- CALM leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 36.0% and 3-year average of 26.7%.
KHC manufactures and markets food and beverage products globally, including condiments, dairy, meals, and meats, sold via direct sales and independent brokers, agents, and distributors. CALM produces, grades, packages, and distributes specialty shell eggs, including nutritionally enhanced, cage-free, organic, and brown varieties to retailers and foodservice distributors.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| KHC | CALM | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 6.0 | 3.7 | CALM |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | -1.9% | 72.2% | CALM |
| Last 12 Months | -3.8% | 83.2% | CALM |
| Last 3 Year Average | -0.3% | 44.7% | CALM |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 20.4% | 36.0% | CALM |
| Last 3 Year Average | 19.5% | 26.7% | CALM |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | -19.5% | 165.2% | CALM |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: KHC Revenue Comparison | CALM Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: KHC Operating Income Comparison | CALM Operating Income Comparison
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell CALM Stock to see if Cal-Maine Foods’s edge holds up under the hood or if Kraft Heinz still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell KHC Stock).
That is one way to look at stocks. Trefis High Quality Portfolio evaluates much more, and is designed to reduce stock-specific risk while giving upside exposure
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| KHC Return | 14% | 8% | 18% | -5% | -13% | -12% | 14% | ||
| CALM Return | -12% | -1% | 52% | 14% | 87% | 21% | 240% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 9% | 100% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| KHC Win Rate | 75% | 50% | 67% | 50% | 42% | 43% | 54% | ||
| CALM Win Rate | 25% | 42% | 75% | 67% | 75% | 86% | 62% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 57% | 62% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| KHC Max Drawdown | -36% | -8% | -5% | -22% | -15% | -14% | -17% | ||
| CALM Max Drawdown | -28% | -9% | 0% | -14% | -6% | -20% | -13% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 9/2/2025 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read KHC Dip Buyer Analyses to see how the stock has fallen and recovered in the past.