Hershey Co vs Mattel Inc — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $182 (market cap $36.56B), while Mattel Inc trades at $14.95 (market cap $4.30B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 8.5× Mattel Inc's market cap, and Hershey Co pays a 3.19% dividend while Mattel Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | MAT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.56B | $4.30B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $22.16 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $13.05 |
Enterprise Value | $41.70B | $6.52B |
Dividend Yield | 3.19% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Hershey (HSY) trades at $182.75, up 0.22% with a bullish technical signal and strong fundamental momentum. The stock shows consistent earnings beats with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.90 exceeding expectations by 33%, while revenue growth trends upward to $11.69 billion in 2025. Analyst consensus targets $196.78 with 69% hold ratings, reflecting cautious optimism amid margin recovery from favorable cocoa contracts and dividend growth.
The outlook remains positive with earnings rebound and pricing power, though risks include volume declines and competitive pressures. Current valuation at 24.86 P/E appears reasonable given 32.81% ROE and improving cash flow trends. Institutional sentiment is mixed with recent insider sales offset by upward guidance revisions.
Mattel (MAT) trades at $14.74, down 0.34% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and oversold RSI levels. Recent Q2 2026 earnings missed estimates despite 10% revenue growth, reflecting margin pressure from higher costs. The company maintains solid profitability with a 7.78% net margin and attractive valuation at a P/E of 11.22. Cash flow turned negative in 2025 due to increased financing outflows, though operations remain cash-generative.
Outlook is mixed: analyst consensus leans buy (53%) with a $14 price target, but rising expenses and toy market volatility pose risks. The stock's appeal hinges on execution of its entertainment-driven growth strategy and cost management amid economic headwinds.
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 →Mattel markets toy products that are sold to its wholesale customers and direct to retail consumers. The company offers products for children and families, including toys for infants and preschoolers, girls and boys, youth electronics, handheld and other games, puzzles, educational toys, media-driven products, and plush and fashion-related toys. Mattel's owned portfolio includes Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, Thomas & Friends, and American Girl. In addition, it currently manufactures toy products for its segments both internally and externally (through manufacturing partners). Just over half of its net sales are in North America, while the remainder stem from international markets.
Read more on MAT →