Global Payments Inc vs Hershey Co — how do they compare? Global Payments Inc trades at $80.34 (market cap $21.40B), while Hershey Co trades at $176.27 (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.
| GPN | HSY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $21.40B | $34.54B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $90.01 | $236.28 |
52-Week Low | $62.47 | $162.31 |
Enterprise Value | $39.11B | $39.34B |
Dividend Yield | 1.28% | 3.41% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Global Payments (GPN) trades at $79.67, up 4.98% today, with a bullish technical outlook and strong earnings beats in recent quarters. The company shows robust operating cash flow of $2.66B in 2025 and benefits from strategic initiatives like the Worldpay integration and AI-powered POS expansions. However, net income margin turned negative at -7.97% for 2026, reflecting margin pressures amid rising costs and competitive fintech landscape.
GPN presents a mixed outlook: analyst consensus is bullish with a $81.56 price target (58% buy ratings), but investors face risks from debt growth (debt-to-asset ratio rising to 41.57% in 2025) and profitability challenges. Near-term catalysts include continued execution on commerce technology deals, while volatility may persist from macroeconomic headwinds.
HSY trades at $174.84, up 1.97% in the last session, with a bearish technical signal but recent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with a 9.12% net income margin and 23.23% ROE, though its P/E of 31.71 suggests premium valuation. Recent news highlights margin recovery and new product launches, with Q2 2026 earnings due July 30, 2026.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic as easing cocoa costs and innovation drive growth, but high debt and valuation pose risks. Analyst consensus is a $209.25 price target with a 'Hold' bias, offering potential upside if earnings momentum continues amid competitive and economic pressures.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Global Payments is a leading provider of payment processing and software solutions and focuses on serving small and midsize merchants. The company operates in 30 countries and generates about one fourth of its revenue from outside North America, primarily in Europe and Asia. In 2019, Global Payments merged with Total System Services in an all-stock deal that gave Total System Services shareholders 48% of the combined company's shares.
Read more on GPN →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 →