What does trailing twelve-month (TTM) EPS indicate about Weis Markets and Dole plc?

TTM EPS measures how much profit a company generates per share over the last four quarters. For Weis Markets, it is 4.02, signalling steady profitability. Dole plc's context is reflected in its earnings per share for the same period, helping compare earnings efficiency. Use EPS to assess relative profitability but consider revenue and costs for a fuller view.

How should I read dividend yield in this comparison?

Dividend yield shows the annual dividend as a percentage of the share price. Weis Markets offers a stable yield around 1.92%, indicating shareholder return without high payout risk. Compare to growth potential and debt; a higher yield can signal income but may reflect lower growth or higher risk.

What does a company’s net profit margin tell us in this context?

Net profit margin reveals how much of revenue becomes profit after expenses. Weis Markets’ margin of 2.23% suggests modest profitability, while Dole plc’s 1.3% indicates tighter margins. A higher margin can reflect pricing power or cost control; compare margins alongside revenue trends for a clearer picture.

Why is debt-to-equity relevant when comparing these stocks?

Debt-to-equity shows leverage used to fund operations. Dole plc’s higher ratio around 69% suggests greater financial leverage and potential risk if earnings falter. Weis Markets’ lower leverage implies more conservatism. Balance debt with cash flow stability and interest coverage for a complete risk assessment.

How should I weigh earnings surprises against price movements?

Earnings surprises, like Dole plc beating expectations, can indicate business momentum, yet stock prices may fall due to sentiment or guidance. Consider the broader context: how the surprise aligns with long‑term strategy, whether revenues are sustainable, and how the market priced in risk over time.

What does a low beta tell us about these stocks?

A low beta, such as Weis Markets’ 0.48, suggests less sensitivity to overall market swings, potentially steadier returns but slower upside. It does not guarantee safety in downturns. Use beta with earnings stability, liquidity, and industry cycles to form a balanced view.

How important is revenue growth in this comparison?

Revenue growth highlights top-line expansion and market demand. Dole plc reported a 14.3% year‑over‑year revenue rise, indicating diversification and scale benefits. Weis Markets’ revenue trend is less explicit here, so compare growth rates alongside margins, profitability, and capital returns.

What role do market expectations play in interpreting these results?

Market expectations reflect analyst views and futures prices. Positive earnings or revenue results can be overshadowed by higher guidance or macro concerns. For both stocks, compare actual results to prior guidance and market commentary to gauge whether the narrative supports future performance.

How do sector dynamics influence these two companies?

Both operate in consumer-focused sectors with consumer demand and supply chain volatility affecting earnings. Food retail (Weis Markets) relies on local market share and operating efficiency, while packaged foods and beverages (Dole plc) face commodity costs and currency exposure. Sector trends shape risk and opportunity for each.

What should a novice look for when comparing these two stocks side by side?

Start with profitability (EPS, net margin), leverage (debt-to-equity), and returns (dividend yield). Then assess growth indicators (revenue trends, guidance) and risk signals (beta, price trends). This helps form a structured view without implying buy or sell advice.

Does this page offer a recommendation or financial advice?

No. The page presents a neutral, educational comparison of Weis Markets and Dole plc, focusing on business models, financial performance, and market context. Any investment decision should be made based on your own goals and risk tolerance.

Weis Markets vs Dole

Weis Markets runs a dense network of Mid-Atlantic grocery stores with a focus on private-label penetration and operational discipline, while Dole ships fresh fruit and vegetables across global supply chains with exposure to weather, currency, and logistics risks. Both operate in thin-margin food businesses where execution and scale determine survival. The Weis Markets vs Dole comparison breaks down how a regional grocer's consistency stacks up against a global agricultural brand navigating volatile input costs.

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

WMK

Metric

DOLE

$1.75B

Market Cap

$1.44B

N/A

Potential Profit

16.01%

N/A

Analyst Rating

Buy

Discover More Comparisons

Weis Markets vs Grocery Outlet

Weis Markets is a tightly run regional grocery chain in the Mid-Atlantic that generates steady operating cash flows while maintaining a conservative balance sheet that keeps it insulated from the volatility that hits over-leveraged food retailers, while Grocery Outlet operates a treasure-hunt value model that sells excess, closeout, and opportunistic inventory at deep discounts to bargain-seeking shoppers who check in frequently to see what's new on the shelves. Both supermarket formats benefit when consumers feel the pinch of persistent inflation and look for ways to stretch their grocery budget. Weis Markets vs Grocery Outlet breaks down unit economics, new store productivity, and which format scales without compromising the core customer value proposition that drives traffic.

Weis Markets vs Utz Brands

Weis Markets runs grocery stores across the Mid-Atlantic and depends on hyperlocal execution, fresh department quality, and store-level cost control to fend off Kroger and Walmart every single week. Utz Brands manufactures salty snacks and distributes them through a direct-store delivery network that reaches convenience stores and grocers across the country. Both businesses feed Americans in commodity-cost-sensitive ways where price elasticity and promotional spending constantly shape quarterly numbers. The Weis Markets vs Utz Brands comparison examines volume trends, gross margin trajectories, private-label pressure, and which food company has a more durable competitive position in a sector where scale advantages compound over time.

Weis Markets vs Universal

Weis Markets is a family-controlled regional grocery chain in the Mid-Atlantic that earns consistent but unspectacular returns from a loyal community customer base, while Universal Corporation is the world's largest leaf tobacco merchant, sourcing and processing flue-cured and burley tobacco for cigarette manufacturers globally. Both are mature, defensive businesses with stable dividends that attract income investors, but their end-market trajectories couldn't be more different. The Weis Markets vs Universal comparison examines how grocery foot traffic trends and private-label mix compare to secular volume decline in leaf tobacco when weighing two steady cash generators against each other.

Investment Analysis

Weis Markets

WMK

Pros

Weis Markets reported a trailing twelve-month EPS of 4.02, indicating consistent profitability.
The company has a strong market presence with over 22,000 employees and operations across multiple states in the US.
Weis Markets maintains a stable dividend yield of 1.92%, reflecting a commitment to shareholder returns.

Considerations

The net profit margin is modest at 2.23%, suggesting limited operating efficiency relative to revenue.
Share price has experienced some recent decline, with a 12-month trend down by approximately 1.4%.
The company has a relatively low beta of 0.48, which could signal limited growth volatility but also less market upside.

Dole

DOLE

Pros

Dole plc exceeded earnings expectations in Q2 2025 with EPS at $0.55, showing operational strength.
The company achieved a 14.3% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by a diversified business model and strategic asset sale.
Dole reported strong full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance of $380-$390 million, highlighting solid profitability prospects.

Considerations

Despite beating earnings, Dole's stock price fell nearly 5% after Q2 results, reflecting market concerns or sentiment.
Net profit margin is low at 1.3%, indicating tight profitability within a high-revenue but high-cost structure.
The company carries a relatively high debt-to-equity ratio of 69%, which may pose financial leverage risks.

About Weis Markets and Dole

Weis Markets (WMK)

Dole (DOLE)

Dole plc is a major global player in the production and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables. Headquartered in Ireland, the company sources, grows, processes, and markets a wide array of produce for customers across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Its business is built around key segments, including a Fresh Fruit division focused on bananas and pineapples, and two Diversified Fresh Produce arms covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), the Americas, and the rest of the world. By operating its own farms and partnering with local growers, Dole maintains a vertically integrated supply chain. For investors interested in the global food industry, Dole represents a significant and well-established name. As with any stock, its value can go down as well as up, and past performance is not a guarantee of future returns.

Buy WMK or DOLE in Nemo

🆓

Zero Commission

Trade stocks, ETFs, and more with zero commission. Keep more of your returns.

🔒

Trusted & Regulated

Part of Exinity Group 2015, serving over a million customers globally.

💰

6% Interest on Cash

Earn 6% AER on uninvested cash with daily interest payments.

Weis Markets vs Dole

Comparison Snapshot