Hershey Co vs H2O America — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $183 (market cap $36.56B), while H2O America trades at $62.3 (market cap $2.61B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 14× H2O America's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.19%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | HTO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.56B | $2.61B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Technology |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $65.43 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $44.44 |
Enterprise Value | $41.70B | $4.40B |
Dividend Yield | 3.19% | 2.83% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Hershey (HSY) trades at $184.19, up 0.79% with a bullish technical outlook and strong fundamental performance. The stock shows consistent earnings beats with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.90 exceeding expectations by 33%, while revenue growth remains steady at $11.69 billion for 2025. Technical indicators show bullish momentum with the current price near resistance at $184, supported by positive moving average signals. The company maintains robust profitability with 38.38% gross margins and 32.81% ROE, though net income declined to $883 million in 2025 from previous highs.
HSY presents a favorable risk-reward profile with analyst consensus target of $196.78 offering 7% upside potential. Recent margin recovery from favorable cocoa contracts and dividend growth support bullish sentiment, though volume declines and competitive pressures in salty snacks remain concerns. With 68.57% of analysts maintaining Hold ratings, the stock offers steady growth potential but requires monitoring of consumer demand trends and input cost management.
HTO trades at $62.57, up 2.16% with bullish technical signals and strong analyst support. The stock shows solid fundamentals with 12.91% net margin and consistent earnings beats in recent quarters. Recent transformative acquisitions in Texas water utilities drive growth potential, though execution risks and share dilution from equity issuance present challenges. Technical indicators show bullish momentum with key resistance at $63 and support at $61.
Outlook remains positive with 83% analyst buy ratings and $69.50 consensus target offering 11% upside. Dividend sustainability and acquisition integration are key watchpoints. Risks include execution challenges from Quadvest deal and potential EPS dilution from recent 11M share issuance.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →H2O America is a utility company that provides essential water and wastewater services, primarily in the United States. The company operates a network of regulated water and wastewater systems, focusing on responsible resource management and high-quality service delivery. HTO aims to expand its operational footprint through acquisitions and internal growth, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
Read more on HTO →