Estee Lauder Companies Inc vs Hershey Co — how do they compare? Estee Lauder Companies Inc trades at $82.54 (market cap $29.78B), while Hershey Co trades at $171.32 (market cap $34.54B). The key difference: Hershey Co is the larger of the two by market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.41%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| EL | HSY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $29.78B | $34.54B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $119.61 | $236.28 |
52-Week Low | $67.23 | $162.31 |
Enterprise Value | $35.95B | $39.34B |
Dividend Yield | 1.7% | 3.41% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Estée Lauder (EL) trades at $80.86, down 0.36% on the day, with a bearish technical signal and recent earnings beats. The stock shows a high P/E of 147.8 and negative net income margin of -1.67%, though revenue remains substantial at $14.33 billion for 2025. Recent news highlights innovation in beauty trends, but cash flow trends show net outflows over recent years.
Outlook is mixed: analyst consensus targets $90.60 with 44% buy ratings, but high valuation and profitability challenges pose risks. Recovery depends on margin improvement and sustained revenue growth amid competitive pressures.
Hershey (HSY) trades at $171.46, down 2.16% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamental performance. The stock has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $2.35 exceeding expectations. Revenue growth remains steady, and the company benefits from easing cocoa costs and margin recovery. Recent corporate actions include a $1.45 dividend payment scheduled for June 2026.
The outlook for HSY is cautiously optimistic, driven by margin improvement and innovation, though near-term price pressure and competitive risks persist. The consensus price target of $209.25 suggests upside potential, but investors should monitor execution on H2 2026 guidance and input cost trends.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Estee Lauder is the world leader in the global prestige beauty market, participating across skincare (56% of fiscal 2022 sales), makeup (26%), fragrance (14%), and haircare (4%) categories, with popular brands such as Estee Lauder, Clinique, MAC, La Mer, Jo Malone, Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Too Faced, Origins, Dr. Jart+, and The Ordinary. The firm operates in 150 countries, with 26% of fiscal 2022 revenue stemming from the Americas, 43% from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and 31% from Asia-Pacific. The company sells its products through department stores, travel retail, multi-brand specialty beauty stores, brand-dedicated freestanding stores, e-commerce, salons/spas, and perfumeries.
Read more on EL →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 →