Hershey Co vs IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $183 (market cap $36.56B), while IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. trades at $571 (market cap $46.22B). The key difference: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Hershey Co pays a 3.19% dividend while IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | IDXX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.56B | $46.22B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $766.68 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $526.44 |
Enterprise Value | $41.70B | $47.12B |
Dividend Yield | 3.19% | — |
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.
IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX) trades at $570.58, down 4.23% over 24 hours, with a bullish technical signal and strong fundamentals. The stock has consistently beaten earnings estimates, with Q2 2026 EPS of $4.27 surpassing the $3.94 expectation. Revenue growth remains robust, supported by a 74.21% ROE and expanding diagnostic offerings. Recent news highlights product expansion, including a dual-species cardiac test, reinforcing its market leadership in veterinary diagnostics.
The outlook is positive, driven by durable competitive advantages and international growth potential. However, elevated valuation multiples and competitive pressures pose risks. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $683.33 price target, suggesting significant upside from current levels, though investors should monitor execution on guidance and macroeconomic headwinds.
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 →Idexx Laboratories primarily develops, manufactures, and distributes diagnostic products, equipment, and services for pets and livestock. Its key product lines include single-use canine and feline test kits that veterinarians can employ in the office, benchtop chemistry and hematology analyzers for test-panel analysis on-site, reference lab services, and tests to detect and manage disease in livestock. The firm also offers vet practice management software and consulting services to animal hospitals. Idexx gets about 38% of its revenue from outside the United States.
Read more on IDXX →