Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. vs Hershey Co — how do they compare? Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. trades at $303.26 (market cap $66.70B), while Hershey Co trades at $176.66 (market cap $35.23B). The key difference: Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.34%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| APD | HSY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $66.70B | $35.23B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $314.19 | $236.28 |
52-Week Low | $230.42 | $162.31 |
Enterprise Value | $84.11B | $40.03B |
Dividend Yield | 2.42% | 3.34% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
APD trades at $299.53, up 1.24% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong analyst support. Recent earnings beats and strategic project exits, like the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex, have boosted investor confidence. The company maintains solid profitability margins but faces pressure from a negative net income in 2025 due to a pre-tax charge. Cash flow trends show volatility, with significant investing outflows for growth initiatives.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $324.89, implying ~8% upside. Risks include high debt levels, execution on new projects, and macroeconomic sensitivity. Long-term growth is supported by renewable energy investments, but near-term profitability recovery is key for sustained gains.
HSY trades at $173.66, up 1.17% with recent earnings beats and easing cocoa costs supporting fundamentals. Technicals are bearish with resistance at $175, while valuation metrics like a P/E of 32.34 suggest premium pricing. The company maintains strong cash flow and a 3.22% dividend yield, with Q2 2026 earnings due July 30, 2026, as a key catalyst.
Outlook: Upside exists to the $210.33 consensus target if margin recovery continues, but high debt and volatile input costs pose risks. Analyst sentiment is cautious with 65.7% hold ratings, reflecting balanced growth and valuation concerns amid competitive pressures.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Since its founding in 1940, Air Products has become one of the leading industrial gas suppliers globally, with operations in 50 countries and 19,000 employees. The company is the largest supplier of hydrogen and helium in the world. It has a unique portfolio serving customers in a number of industries, including chemicals, energy, healthcare, metals, and electronics. Air Products generated $10.3 billion in revenue in fiscal 2021.
Read more on APD →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 →