Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc vs Hershey Co — how do they compare? Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc trades at $228.01 (market cap $11.14B), while Hershey Co trades at $171.33 (market cap $34.78B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 3.1× Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc's market cap, and Hershey Co pays a 3.39% dividend while Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CRL | HSY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $11.14B | $34.78B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $233.60 | $236.28 |
52-Week Low | $145.57 | $162.31 |
Enterprise Value | $14.00B | $39.58B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.39% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) trades at $229.75, down 1.57% on the day, near its consensus price target of $229.80. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving average signals and support at $225. Fundamentally, CRL has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters but reported a net loss of $144.34 million in 2025, with negative profit margins. Recent news highlights collaborations in AI and NGS services, supporting growth prospects.
Outlook remains mixed: analyst consensus is strongly bullish with 72% buy ratings and a high target of $260, but profitability challenges and high P/E of 684.85 pose risks. Cash flow stability and strategic partnerships offer upside, while margin pressures and debt levels require monitoring for sustained recovery.
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.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Charles River Laboratories was founded in 1947 and is a leading provider of drug discovery and development services. The company's research model & services segment is the leading provider of animal models for laboratory testing, which breeds and delivers animal research models with specific genetic characteristics for preclinical studies around the world. The discovery & safety assessment segment includes services required to take a drug through the early development process, including discovery services. The manufacturing support segment includes microbial solutions, which provides in vitro (non-animal) testing products, biologics testing services, and avian vaccine services.
Read more on CRL →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 →