Discount Stores · NYSE
Current Price
$123.41
PE Ratio (TTM)
17.4x
Intrinsic Value
$124.38
+0.8% margin of safety
COMPETITIVE MOAT
↑Extensive Store Footprint
Dollar General's vast network of stores in rural and underserved areas creates a significant barrier to entry. This geographic saturation makes it difficult for competitors to replicate their reach.
↑Low-Cost Operating Model
The company's relentless focus on operational efficiency and private label brands allows for consistently low prices. This appeals to a broad, price-sensitive customer base.
↑Supply Chain Dominance
Dollar General leverages its scale to negotiate favorable terms with suppliers and optimize its distribution network. This cost advantage is difficult for smaller rivals to match.
INVESTMENT RISKS
↓Execution Risk in Strategic Initiatives
The company's success relies on effectively executing its strategies, such as expanding its fresh food offerings and improving store experiences. Any missteps could impact performance.
↓Economic Sensitivity of Core Customer
Dollar General's primary customer base is often more vulnerable to economic downturns. A significant recession could lead to reduced consumer spending and impact sales.
↓Inventory Management Challenges
Maintaining optimal inventory levels across a vast store network is complex. Stockouts or excess inventory can lead to lost sales and increased costs.
Base case
At a current price of $123.41, the base case PE valuation puts DG fair value near $124.38 per share. That figure assumes 4.2% yearly earnings growth, a target PE multiple of 17.38x, and a 10% discount rate.
Intrinsic Value
$124.38
Margin of safety
+0.8%
Expected annual return
+0.2%
Base case assumptions: 4.2% annual earnings growth, 17.38x target PE, 10% discount rate, 5 year projection. Data as of 2026-08-21.
This base case uses default assumptions and is not financial advice. The fair value changes significantly when the target PE or earnings growth rate changes. Open the calculator to set your own assumptions and see the full sensitivity range.
Adjust the target PE, earnings growth, and discount rate to see how the fair value and margin of safety for Dollar General Corporation respond.
Open PE Calculator for DGDollar General Corporation is a prominent discount retail chain that offers a wide array of merchandise across the southern, southwestern, Midwestern, and eastern regions of the United States. Its extensive product assortment primarily features consumable items. This includes household essentials such as paper products, cleaning supplies, and laundry detergents; a wide array of food options, ranging from shelf-stable groceries like cereals, pasta, canned goods, condiments, and baking ingredients, to fresh and refrigerated perishables such as milk, eggs, bread, and frozen foods, as well as alcoholic beverages like beer and wine. The selection further encompasses popular snacks (candies, cookies, crackers, and carbonated drinks), health and beauty aids (over-the-counter medications, personal care items, cosmetics, dental, and foot care products), pet food and supplies, and tobacco products. Beyond consumables, Dollar General offers seasonal merchandise, which includes holiday decorations, toys, electronics, greeting cards, stationery, prepaid phone services and accessories, gardening tools, hardware, automotive items, and home office supplies. Customers can also find various home goods, from kitchenware and small appliances to lighting, storage solutions, frames, candles, craft materials, and soft furnishings for the kitchen, bed, and bath. Lastly, the company stocks a selection of apparel, featuring everyday clothing for infants, children, women, and men, along with socks, underwear, disposable diapers, shoes, and accessories. As of February 25, 2022, Dollar General operated an impressive 18,190 stores spread across 47 U.S. states. Originally established in 1939 as J.L. Turner & Son, Inc., the company adopted its current name, Dollar General Corporation, in 1968. Its corporate headquarters are situated in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
PE Ratio (TTM)
17.4x
PEG Ratio
0.49
Earnings Yield
5.75%
ROE (TTM)
18.7%
Revenue/Share (TTM)
$195.49
Dividend Yield
1.91%
Debt/Equity
1.79x
The trailing twelve-month PE ratio of DG reflects how much investors pay per dollar of Dollar General Corporation's earnings. This metric is most useful when compared to Discount Stores peers and the company's own historical range.
DG's PE of 17.4x combined with a PEG ratio of 0.49 provides a growth-adjusted perspective. A PEG below 1.0 means the P/E is low relative to the earnings growth rate. Keep in mind that PE-based valuation works best for profitable, mature companies — for high-growth or cyclical Discount Stores, a DCF analysis may be more appropriate.
To value Dollar General Corporation using PE: (1) Compare the current PE (17.4x) against the Discount Stores median to assess relative pricing, (2) check the PEG ratio (0.49) to adjust for growth expectations, (3) review the 5-year PE range to identify where the stock sits historically, and (4) estimate fair value by multiplying a target PE by forward EPS estimates. This relative approach complements DCF's absolute valuation.
DG's PEG ratio is 0.49, calculated by dividing the PE ratio (17.4x) by the expected earnings growth rate. A PEG below 1.0 means the P/E is low relative to the expected earnings growth rate. Note that PEG accuracy depends on the reliability of growth estimates.
PE ratio gives a quick relative read — how DG is priced versus Discount Stores peers. DCF provides an absolute value based on projected free cash flows. For DG, with a strong ROE of 18.7%, both methods are worth using — PE for a market-relative check, DCF to stress-test whether fundamentals justify the price. Each method has blind spots: PE ignores capital structure and cash flow quality, while DCF is sensitive to growth and discount rate assumptions.
P/E and DCF value DG with different methods and assumptions, so the two conclusions can differ. Compare the DCF intrinsic value.
Price as of 2026-08-21. Financial data from Financial Modeling Prep (trailing twelve months) · Valuation methodology by Charlie Wang.
This is an estimate, not investment advice.