Hershey Co vs Iron Mountain Inc — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $170.11 (market cap $34.83B), while Iron Mountain Inc trades at $127.36 (market cap $36.96B). The key difference: Hershey Co and Iron Mountain Inc are close in size by market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.38%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | IRM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $36.96B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Real Estate |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $133.06 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $78.86 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | $56.10B |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 2.78% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Hershey (HSY) trades at $171.72, showing modest daily gains of 0.18%. The stock faces bearish technical signals with recent price action near support at $170, while fundamentals reveal mixed performance with strong earnings beats but compressed margins. Recent Q1 2026 EPS of $2.35 exceeded expectations by 15%, though net income margin declined to 7.55% in 2025 from 19.82% in 2024 due to cocoa cost pressures. The company maintains solid cash flow generation with $2.28B operating cash flow in 2025.
Hershey presents a cautious opportunity as margin recovery begins in Q2 2026, with analyst consensus target of $208.42 offering 21% upside. However, volume concerns and competitive pressures pose near-term risks. The 3.3% dividend yield provides income support while investors await evidence of sustained sales volume recovery and margin expansion in upcoming earnings.
Iron Mountain (IRM) trades at $124.38, up 0.45% for the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong recent earnings beats. The stock has rallied 30.2% over three months, supported by data center growth and recurring storage revenue. However, the company faces high debt levels, with a debt-to-asset ratio of 74.39% in 2024, and a P/E ratio of 134.59 suggests elevated valuation. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $138.67 price target, though the RSI_6 at 84.86 indicates potential overbought conditions near-term.
Outlook remains positive due to consistent earnings outperformance and data center expansion, but risks include significant leverage and declining paper storage demand. The stock offers a dividend yield with a recent $0.86 payment, yet investors should weigh high valuation multiples against growth prospects in a competitive information services sector.
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 →Iron Mountain Inc is a record management services provider. The firm is organized as a REIT. Most of its revenue comes from its storage business, with the rest coming from value-added services. The firm primarily caters to enterprise clients in developed markets. Its business segments include Global RIM Business
Read more on IRM →