Becton Dickinson and Co vs Hershey Co — how do they compare? Becton Dickinson and Co trades at $181.29 (market cap $49.41B), while Hershey Co trades at $183 (market cap $36.56B). The key difference: Becton Dickinson and Co is the larger of the two by market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.19%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BDX | HSY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $49.41B | $36.56B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $185.39 | $236.28 |
52-Week Low | $138.62 | $162.31 |
Enterprise Value | $65.51B | $41.70B |
Dividend Yield | 2.32% | 3.19% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
BDX trades at $183.71, up 2.27% today, near its consensus price target of $183.00. The stock shows bullish technical signals with strong moving averages, though RSI indicates overbought conditions. Fundamentally, revenue grew to $21.84 billion in 2025, with consistent earnings beats in recent quarters, including Q3 2026 EPS of $3.23 beating estimates. The company maintains a dividend of $1.05 per share and recently raised full-year guidance, reflecting operational strength amid tariff pressures.
Outlook remains positive with raised profit guidance and segment growth, but risks include margin pressure from tariffs and a product recall. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 47% buy ratings, suggesting cautious optimism. The stock offers stability as a Dividend Aristocrat with growth catalysts from medical technology advancements, though investors should monitor margin trends and competitive dynamics.
Hershey (HSY) trades at $184.19, up 0.79% with a bullish technical outlook and strong fundamental performance. The stock shows consistent earnings beats with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.90 exceeding expectations by 33%, while revenue growth remains steady at $11.69 billion for 2025. Technical indicators show bullish momentum with the current price near resistance at $184, supported by positive moving average signals. The company maintains robust profitability with 38.38% gross margins and 32.81% ROE, though net income declined to $883 million in 2025 from previous highs.
HSY presents a favorable risk-reward profile with analyst consensus target of $196.78 offering 7% upside potential. Recent margin recovery from favorable cocoa contracts and dividend growth support bullish sentiment, though volume declines and competitive pressures in salty snacks remain concerns. With 68.57% of analysts maintaining Hold ratings, the stock offers steady growth potential but requires monitoring of consumer demand trends and input cost management.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Becton, Dickinson is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of medical surgical products, such as needles, syringes, and sharps-disposal units. The company also manufactures diagnostic instruments and reagents, as well as flow cytometry and cell-imaging systems. BD Interventional (largely the former Bard business) accounts for 23% of revenue. International revenue accounts for 44% of the company's business.
Read more on BDX →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 →