Becton Dickinson and Co vs Hershey Co — how do they compare? Becton Dickinson and Co trades at $178.73 (market cap $49.41B), while Hershey Co trades at $180.3 (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 $179.63, up 1.57% with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages. The company reported strong Q3 2026 earnings, beating estimates with $3.23 EPS versus $3.14 expected, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue growth remains steady at 4.4% FX-neutral, though margins face pressure from tariffs. Analysts maintain a mixed consensus with 47% buy ratings and a $183 price target, suggesting modest upside from current levels.
The stock presents a balanced opportunity with solid fundamentals and dividend stability, but faces headwinds from margin compression and competitive pressures. Near-term catalysts include continued execution on growth initiatives, while risks include tariff impacts and healthcare regulatory changes. The current valuation at 31.39 P/E appears fair given growth prospects.
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
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 →