ICON vs US Foods Which Should You Buy?

ICON and US Foods are two prominent companies in the food and beverage industry, with each offering unique investment opportunities for shareholders. ICON is a leading global provider of food service equipment and solutions, while US Foods is a major distributor of food products to restaurants, healthcare facilities, and other businesses. Both companies have experienced fluctuations in their stock prices over the years, making them potential targets for investors seeking growth and profitability in the competitive market.

ICON or US Foods?

When comparing ICON and US Foods, different investors may prioritize various metrics based on their investment strategies and goals. So, ask yourself what type of investor you are. This will guide you in determining which metrics are most important for your investment decision between ICON and US Foods.

Dividend Investors:

Dividend investors look for stable and growing income streams, using dividend metrics to assess potential investments. A company's dividend yield essentially measures the size of its dividend relative to the total market value of the company. ICON has a dividend yield of -%, while US Foods has a dividend yield of -%. Beyond the yield itself, considering the growth and sustainability of these dividends is also crucial. ICON reports a 5-year dividend growth of 0.00% year and a payout ratio of 0.00%. On the other hand, US Foods reports a 5-year dividend growth of 0.00% year and a payout ratio of 0.00%.

Value Investors:

Value investors focus on financial metrics to determine a stock's intrinsic value compared to its market value. The Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio links stock price to a company's earnings per share, with ICON P/E ratio at 24.09 and US Foods's P/E ratio at 30.18. Another crucial valuation metric is the Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio, which compares stock price with book value per share. ICON P/B ratio is 1.84 while US Foods's P/B ratio is 3.77.

Growth Investors:

Growth investors prioritize metrics indicative of a company's expansion potential. Focusing on top-line growth, ICON has seen a 5-year revenue growth of 1.06%, while US Foods's is 0.33%. Return on Equity (ROE) measures how effectively a company uses equity investment to generate earnings, with ICON's ROE at 7.87% and US Foods's ROE at 11.98%.

Retail Investors:

Retail investors often consider stock affordability and company familiarity. For example, day low prices are $209.71 for ICON and $71.70 for US Foods. Over the past year, ICON's prices ranged from $183.38 to $347.72, with a yearly change of 89.62%. US Foods's prices fluctuated between $43.24 and $72.84, with a yearly change of 68.46%. Brand recognition also plays a role, as familiarity with a company can influence investment decisions.