HRL vs. NDSN
HRL (Hormel Foods Corporation) and NDSN (Nordson Corporation) are both stocks. HRL operates in Packaged Foods (Consumer Defensive), while NDSN operates in Specialty Industrial Machinery (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, HRL returned -1.22%/yr vs 13.93%/yr for NDSN. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
HRL vs. NDSN - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HRL achieves a 2.45% return, which is significantly lower than NDSN's 17.74% return. Over the past 10 years, HRL has underperformed NDSN with an annualized return of -1.22%, while NDSN has yielded a comparatively higher 13.93% annualized return.
HRL
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 15.66%
- YTD
- 2.45%
- 6M
- 1.81%
- 1Y
- -19.05%
- 3Y*
- -13.32%
- 5Y*
- -10.42%
- 10Y*
- -1.22%
NDSN
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- -0.47%
- YTD
- 17.74%
- 6M
- 21.16%
- 1Y
- 33.24%
- 3Y*
- 7.98%
- 5Y*
- 6.07%
- 10Y*
- 13.93%
HRL vs. NDSN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRL Hormel Foods Corporation | 2.45% | -21.27% | 1.21% | -27.49% | -4.67% | 6.99% | 5.38% | 7.85% | 19.68% | 6.72% |
NDSN Nordson Corporation | 17.74% | 17.03% | -20.15% | 12.39% | -5.93% | 28.09% | 24.45% | 37.88% | -17.65% | 31.83% |
Correlation
The correlation between HRL and NDSN is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 1990 | 0.24 |
The correlation between HRL and NDSN shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (10 years) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
HRL:
$13.02B
NDSN:
$15.84B
HRL:
$0.85
NDSN:
$9.36
HRL:
27.88
NDSN:
30.15
HRL:
1.07
NDSN:
5.48
HRL:
1.20
NDSN:
4.95
HRL:
$12.22B
NDSN:
$2.90B
HRL:
$1.92B
NDSN:
$1.60B
HRL:
$868.07M
NDSN:
$744.50M
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
HRL vs. NDSN — Risk / Return Rank
HRL
NDSN
HRL vs. NDSN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) and Nordson Corporation (NDSN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| HRL | NDSN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.90 | 1.27 | -0.37 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.56 | 2.36 | -2.92 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.88 | 7.57 | -8.45 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| HRL | NDSN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.65 | 1.61 | -2.25 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.43 | 0.25 | -0.68 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.05 | 0.49 | -0.54 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.37 | 0.38 | 0.00 |
Drawdowns
HRL vs. NDSN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HRL drawdown since its inception was -58.46%, smaller than the maximum NDSN drawdown of -73.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HRL and NDSN.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| HRL | NDSN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.46% | -73.62% | +15.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -34.29% | -14.15% | -20.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -46.94% | -39.15% | -7.79% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -58.46% | -39.15% | -19.31% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -58.46% | -44.24% | -14.22% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -50.26% | -5.42% | -44.84% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.86% | -13.25% | +1.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 21.78% | 4.40% | +17.38% |
Volatility
HRL vs. NDSN - Volatility Comparison
Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) has a higher volatility of 13.15% compared to Nordson Corporation (NDSN) at 6.53%. This indicates that HRL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NDSN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| HRL | NDSN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.15% | 6.53% | +6.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.71% | 15.06% | +5.65% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 29.60% | 20.84% | +8.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.08% | 24.66% | -0.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.32% | 28.43% | -5.11% |
Dividends
HRL vs. NDSN - Dividend Comparison
HRL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.93%, more than NDSN's 1.15% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRL Hormel Foods Corporation | 4.93% | 4.89% | 3.60% | 3.43% | 2.28% | 2.01% | 2.00% | 1.86% | 1.76% | 1.87% | 1.67% | 1.26% |
NDSN Nordson Corporation | 1.15% | 1.66% | 1.02% | 1.01% | 0.98% | 0.71% | 0.77% | 0.90% | 1.09% | 0.78% | 0.91% | 1.43% |
Financials
HRL vs. NDSN - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Hormel Foods Corporation and Nordson Corporation. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
HRL vs. NDSN - Profitability Comparison
HRL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Hormel Foods Corporation reported a gross profit of 518.51M and revenue of 2.97B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 17.4%.
NDSN - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nordson Corporation reported a gross profit of 404.08M and revenue of 740.85M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 54.5%.
HRL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Hormel Foods Corporation reported an operating income of 217.11M and revenue of 2.97B, resulting in an operating margin of 7.3%.
NDSN - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nordson Corporation reported an operating income of 197.20M and revenue of 740.85M, resulting in an operating margin of 26.6%.
HRL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Hormel Foods Corporation reported a net income of 157.50M and revenue of 2.97B, resulting in a net margin of 5.3%.
NDSN - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Nordson Corporation reported a net income of 117.32M and revenue of 740.85M, resulting in a net margin of 15.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions
HRL and NDSN have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HRL has higher volatility (13.15%) compared to NDSN (6.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HRL dropped -58.46% vs NDSN's -73.62%.
NDSN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs -0.65), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
Find the right allocation for HRL and NDSN
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer