Compare Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Hershey Co (HSY) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Costco Wholesale Corporation vs Hershey Co — how do they compare? Costco Wholesale Corporation trades at $922.57 (market cap $408.78B), while Hershey Co trades at $171.07 (market cap $34.78B). The key difference: Costco Wholesale Corporation is far larger — about 11.8× Hershey Co's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.39%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| COST | HSY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $408.78B | $34.78B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $1.09K | $236.28 |
52-Week Low | $849.63 | $162.31 |
Enterprise Value | $396.92B | $39.58B |
Dividend Yield | 0.64% | 3.39% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) trades at $923.76, down 0.29% on the day, as technical indicators signal a bearish trend with the price near pivot point support. Fundamentally, the company shows consistent revenue growth, reaching $275.24B in 2025, and strong cash flow generation of $13.34B from operations, though valuation metrics like a P/E of 46.37 appear elevated. Recent news highlights a March sales surge of 11.3% year-over-year and the first membership fee increase in seven years, which analysts view positively for future profit growth.
The investment outlook balances strong business fundamentals against a high valuation and near-term technical weakness. Upside potential is supported by robust membership renewal rates, expanding margins, and a consensus price target of $1,120. Key risks include sensitivity to consumer spending, competitive pressures in retail, and the stock's premium valuation requiring sustained execution to justify further gains.
Hershey (HSY) trades at $175.24, up 0.91% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamental performance. The stock has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, including Q1 2026 EPS of $2.35 versus $2.04 expected. Revenue growth is steady, with 2025 revenue at $11.69 billion, though net income margin compressed to 9.12% from prior years. Analyst consensus price target is $209.25, implying significant upside, supported by a 3.3% dividend yield and recent margin recovery trends.
The outlook for HSY is cautiously optimistic, with earnings momentum and valuation support offset by near-term technical weakness. Investment opportunity lies in continued execution on margin improvement and innovation, such as new REESE'S PIECES products. Key risks include persistent input cost pressures, competitive threats, and macroeconomic sensitivity. Wall Street sentiment is mixed, with 65.7% hold ratings reflecting balanced risk-reward amid recovery phase.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Costco Wholesale Corporation
The leading warehouse club, Costco has 815 stores worldwide (at the end of fiscal 2021), with most sales derived in the United States (72%) and Canada (14%). It sells memberships that allow customers to shop in its warehouses, which feature low prices on a limited product assortment. Costco mainly caters to individual shoppers, but roughly 20% of paid members carry business memberships. Food and sundries accounted for 40% of fiscal 2021 sales, with non-food merchandise 29%, warehouse ancillary and other businesses (such as fuel and pharmacy) nearly 17%, and fresh food 14%. Costco's warehouses average around 146,000 square feet
Read more on COST →About Hershey Co
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 →
