National Beverage Corp. vs Hershey Co — how do they compare? National Beverage Corp. trades at $31.72 (market cap $2.89B), while Hershey Co trades at $172.43 (market cap $34.54B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 12× National Beverage Corp.'s market cap, and Hershey Co pays a 3.41% dividend while National Beverage Corp. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| FIZZ | HSY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $2.89B | $34.54B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $47.69 | $236.28 |
52-Week Low | $30.85 | $162.31 |
Enterprise Value | $2.60B | $39.34B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.41% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
FIZZ trades at $31.47, up 1.78% today, but faces bearish technical signals with three consecutive earnings misses. The company maintains solid profitability with 15.56% net margins and 34.03% ROE, though revenue growth has stalled at $1.2B annually. Recent news highlights a $3.25 special dividend announcement but also concerns about LaCroix brand decline and muted growth prospects.
The outlook remains cautious with analyst sentiment skewed bearish (50% sell ratings) and technical indicators pointing downward. While the dividend provides shareholder return, fundamental challenges including competitive pressures and stagnant revenue create headwinds for meaningful price appreciation in the near term.
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
National Beverage Corp is one of the top 10 non-alcoholic beverage companies in the U.S. Its portfolio skews toward functional drinks (that is those purporting to offer health benefits) and is anchored by the popular LaCroix sparkling water trademark. Other offerings include Rip It energy drinks, Everfresh juices, and soda brands like Shasta and Faygo. The firm controls most of its production and distribution apparatus, with very little outsourcing. In terms of go-to-market, it uses warehouse distribution for big-box retailers, direct-store-delivery for convenience stores and other small outlets, and food-service distributors for the food-service channel (schools, hospitals, restaurants). It is controlled by chairman and CEO Nick Caporella, who owns over 73% of the common stock.
Read more on FIZZ →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 →