Acadia Healthcare Company Inc vs Hershey Co — how do they compare? Acadia Healthcare Company Inc trades at $31.84 (market cap $2.90B), while Hershey Co trades at $182.01 (market cap $36.56B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 12.6× Acadia Healthcare Company Inc's market cap, and Hershey Co pays a 3.19% dividend while Acadia Healthcare Company Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ACHC | HSY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $2.90B | $36.56B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $35.61 | $236.28 |
52-Week Low | $11.68 | $162.31 |
Enterprise Value | $5.29B | $41.70B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.19% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ACHC trades at $31.14, down 2.01% today, with a neutral technical signal and mixed fundamentals. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.38, beating estimates, but maintains a net loss of -$1.10B for 2025. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $36.00 price target, though ongoing legal investigations and negative profit margins present headwinds. Cash flow from operations improved to $211M in 2026, supporting operational stability amid challenges.
The outlook for ACHC hinges on execution of its turnaround strategy and resolution of legal issues. Upside potential exists if EBITDA guidance improvements and admissions growth persist, but risks from litigation and sustained losses warrant caution. The stock's current valuation at a P/E of 19.82 and P/S of 0.84 may attract value investors if profitability recovers.
Hershey (HSY) trades at $182.75, up 0.22% with a bullish technical signal and strong fundamental momentum. The stock shows consistent earnings beats with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.90 exceeding expectations by 33%, while revenue growth trends upward to $11.69 billion in 2025. Analyst consensus targets $196.78 with 69% hold ratings, reflecting cautious optimism amid margin recovery from favorable cocoa contracts and dividend growth.
The outlook remains positive with earnings rebound and pricing power, though risks include volume declines and competitive pressures. Current valuation at 24.86 P/E appears reasonable given 32.81% ROE and improving cash flow trends. Institutional sentiment is mixed with recent insider sales offset by upward guidance revisions.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Acadia Healthcare is a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services across the US and Puerto Rico. It operates a network of psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, and clinics for mental health and addiction recovery.
Read more on ACHC →Hershey is a leading confectionery manufacturer in the U.S. (around a $25 billion market), controlling around 46% of the domestic chocolate space (per IRI). Beyond its namesake label, the firm's mix has expanded over the last 85 years and now consists of 100 brands, including Reese's, Kit Kat, Kisses, and Ice Breakers. Hershey's products are sold in about 80 countries, albeit with just a high-single-digit percentage of sales coming from markets outside the U.S., including Brazil, India, and Mexico. The firm has sought inorganic opportunities to extend its reach beyond its core confection business, adding Amplify Snack Brands and its Skinny Pop ready-to-eat popcorn to its mix and Pirate Brands (including the Pirate's Booty, Smart Puffs, and Original Tings brands) over the past few years.
Read more on HSY →