Dollar General operates a chain of discount variety stores in the US retail sector.
It is a dominant leader in the space, known for its extensive rural footprint and focus on providing essential goods at low price points.
Updated: January 14, 2026, 16:00 EST
Based on the provided analysis, here is a comprehensive assessment of Dollar General (DG).
Technical Analysis DG exhibits exceptionally strong bullish momentum, having surged over 53% in the last three months. However, trading near its 52-week high with such parabolic gains suggests the stock is overbought, elevating the risk of a near-term consolidation. The low beta indicates this rally has been unusually stable for its magnitude.
Fundamental Analysis Fundamentally, the picture is mixed. Recent quarterly results show pressure on profitability, with net margins contracting. While the company maintains moderate leverage, liquidity is tight, and operational efficiency metrics like ROE and inventory turnover indicate room for improvement.
Valuation & Risk Valuation sends conflicting signals. An attractive price-to-sales ratio is contrasted by a very high EV/EBITDA, implying the market expects significant future growth. The primary strength is its low-risk profile, characterized by minimal volatility and a manageable historical drawdown.
Buy Recommendation
While DG's recent price performance is impressive and its low volatility is attractive for risk-averse investors, current fundamentals do not fully support the elevated valuation. The stock appears overbought technically, and a period of consolidation is likely before a sustainable upward move. At this level, the risk/reward profile is less favorable for new money. Investors may find a better entry point on a pullback. (*Note: This is not investment advice, for reference only.*)
Based on the comprehensive analysis provided, here is a 12-month outlook for Dollar General (DG):
12-Month Outlook for DG
DG's outlook is characterized by a tension between its strong recent momentum and underlying fundamental challenges. A key near-term catalyst will be the company's ability to demonstrate improved operational efficiency and margin stabilization in upcoming earnings reports, which could justify its current valuation. The primary risk is a significant price correction from overbought conditions, as the stock's parabolic rally appears disconnected from its current profitability pressures. Given the mixed signals and elevated valuation, the stock is likely to experience a period of consolidation; a more realistic target range would be in the $130-$160 band, representing a potential for both modest upside and meaningful downside from the current price of $151.25.
Most Wall Street analysts are optimistic about DG's 12-month outlook, with consensus target around $150.95, indicating expected upside potential.
Overall, DG has investment potential but also faces challenges. Here are key factors to weigh before investing.
Of course. Here is the technical analysis of DG's price performance.
Overall Assessment DG has demonstrated exceptionally strong bullish momentum, particularly over the recent three-month period, significantly outperforming the broader market.
Short-term Performance The stock has surged 53.29% over the last three months, dramatically outpacing the market by nearly 50 percentage points, indicating powerful buying pressure. This outperformance is supported by a strong 14.0% gain over the past month, confirming the continuation of the positive trend. The stock's low beta of 0.262 suggests this substantial move higher has occurred with lower volatility than the overall market, which is atypical for such a sharp rally.
Current Position DG's current price of $151.25 places it near the very top of its 52-week range, just 0.6% below the recent high of $152.09. This proximity to the 52-week high, combined with the parabolic 3-month advance, strongly suggests the stock is in an overbought condition. Given the magnitude of the recent gains and the lack of a significant pullback, the risk of a near-term consolidation or correction is elevated.
| Period | DG Return | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1m | +13.3% | +1.3% |
| 3m | +52.1% | +5.7% |
| 6m | +34.4% | +10.6% |
| 1y | +120.1% | +16.5% |
| ytd | +10.3% | +1.1% |
Revenue & Profitability DG's Q3 2025 revenue of $10.65 billion declined slightly from Q2's $10.73 billion, while profitability weakened substantially as net profit margin fell from 3.84% to 2.65%. The contraction reflects pressure on operating margins, with operating income ratio dropping from 5.55% to 4.00% quarter-over-quarter, indicating rising cost pressures despite stable gross margins.
Financial Health The company maintains moderate leverage with a debt ratio of 52% and interest coverage of 7.6x, though the low quick ratio of 0.24 signals limited liquid asset coverage for immediate obligations. Operating cash flow to sales of 9.4% provides adequate coverage, but the cash flow to debt ratio of just 6.1% suggests constrained capacity for aggressive debt reduction.
Operational Efficiency DG's operational metrics show room for improvement with ROE at 3.45% and asset turnover of 0.34, indicating suboptimal utilization of both equity and total assets. The inventory turnover of 1.12 and 80+ days inventory outstanding point to slower merchandise rotation, while the 29-day cash conversion cycle reflects efficient working capital management despite inventory challenges.
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Try Now & Get Tesla Stock RewardBased on the provided metrics, DG appears modestly valued on a relative basis despite some concerning indicators. While the trailing PE of 25.65 seems elevated for a value-oriented retailer, the more relevant forward PE of approximately 19.2 suggests improving earnings expectations. The price-to-sales ratio of 0.78 is attractive, but this is offset by a high price-to-book of 4.0 and a very elevated EV/EBITDA of over 53, which signals the market is pricing in significant future cash flow growth. The negative PEG ratio, while unusual, typically indicates that earnings growth projections are negative or that the calculation is anomalous, adding a layer of complexity to the valuation assessment.
A peer comparison is not feasible at this time as the necessary industry average data has not been provided. To conduct a proper relative valuation analysis, benchmark figures for key ratios such as PE, PB, PS, and EV/EBITDA within DG's specific retail segment are required. Without this contextual data, it is impossible to determine whether DG's multiples represent a premium or a discount to its competitors.
Volatility Risk: DG exhibits exceptionally low volatility risk, with a beta of just 0.262 indicating minimal sensitivity to broader market movements. This defensive characteristic is further supported by a relatively moderate one-year maximum drawdown of -17.52%, suggesting manageable peak-to-trough declines during market downturns.
Other Risks: The absence of notable short interest indicates market consensus on DG's stability and reduces the risk of a short squeeze. While this is favorable, an investor should verify underlying liquidity metrics to ensure that trading volumes are sufficient to accommodate larger orders without significant price impact.
Based on the analysis, my view is neutral to cautiously bearish in the near term. The stock appears overbought after a sharp 53% rally, with weakening quarterly profitability and a high EV/EBITDA multiple posing fundamental concerns. While low volatility provides some defense, the technical setup suggests elevated risk of a pullback. This stock is currently more suitable for patient, long-term investors who can tolerate potential near-term consolidation, rather than those seeking quick entry.
Based on current metrics, DG appears modestly overvalued. The stock trades at a forward PE of 19.2, which is high for a value retailer experiencing profitability compression, and a very elevated EV/EBITDA over 53. Key valuation metrics include its forward PE (19.2), Price-to-Book (4.0), and Price-to-Sales (0.78). The primary reason for overvaluation is that the market seems to be pricing in significant future growth and margin recovery, which contrasts with the current reality of declining revenue, contracting net profit margins (down to 2.65%), and weak operational efficiency (ROE of 3.45%). The high multiples are not sufficiently supported by the company's present fundamental performance.
Based on the provided information, here are the key risks of holding DG stock, ordered by importance:
1. Price Correction Risk: The stock is severely overbought after a parabolic 53% surge in three months, trading near its 52-week high with a high probability of a near-term consolidation or correction. 2. Profitability Risk: The company faces substantial and worsening pressure on its core profitability, as evidenced by a significant quarter-over-quarter contraction in its net profit margin and operating income ratio. 3. Liquidity and Financial Flexibility Risk: DG's low quick ratio of 0.24 indicates a potential challenge in covering immediate short-term obligations without relying on inventory sales or additional financing.
Based on a professional assessment blending the provided fundamental context with the broader industry outlook, here is a forecast for Dollar General (DG) stock through 2026:
Target Price Range for 2026: $140 - $175. The base case (~$155-$165) assumes moderate success in the new strategic initiatives, while the bull case (~$170+) requires a stronger-than-expected rebound in operational efficiency and consumer traffic.
Key Growth Drivers: 1) Successful execution of operational turnaround plans aimed at improving inventory management and store labor models; 2) A sustained consumer trade-down effect, benefiting the discount retail segment during economic uncertainty; 3) The ongoing expansion of its pOpshelf! store concept to attract a broader customer base.
Main Assumptions: The forecast assumes the company stabilizes its profit margins, achieves modest low-single-digit revenue growth, and that macroeconomic pressures on its core consumer base do not intensify significantly.
Uncertainty: This outlook carries high uncertainty, as DG's performance is highly sensitive to execution missteps, inflation's impact on low-income shoppers, and competitive pressures. The stock's path will be volatile and dependent on quarterly execution evidence.