Hershey Co vs LTC Properties Inc — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $170.42 (market cap $34.83B), while LTC Properties Inc trades at $42.68 (market cap $2.15B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 16.2× LTC Properties Inc's market cap, and LTC Properties Inc pays the higher dividend (5.44%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | LTC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $2.15B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Real Estate |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $41.92 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $33.98 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | $2.99B |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 5.44% |
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.
LTC Properties trades at $41.92, up 0.41% with a bullish technical outlook. The REIT shows strong fundamentals with 2025 revenue of $263M and net income of $118M, supported by a 67.3% gross margin. Recent acquisitions expand its SHOP portfolio, targeting demographic trends in senior housing. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 27% buy ratings amid recent earnings misses.
Outlook: Growth driven by strategic acquisitions and aging demographics, but execution risks and debt levels warrant caution. Near-term focus on Q2 2026 earnings (expected EPS $0.48) as a key catalyst. Dividend yield of ~5.4% provides income appeal.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →LTC Properties Inc is a healthcare facility real estate investment trust. The company operates one segment that works to invest in healthcare facilities through mortgage loans, property lease transactions, and other investments. LTC generates all of its revenue in the United States. LTC is an active capital provider in the seniors housing and health care real estate industry. The company has been actively engaged with its operating partners to create a growing pipeline of projects. LTC considers merger and acquisition investment as a component of its operational growth strategy.
Read more on LTC →