Hershey Co vs 3M Company — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $182.12 (market cap $36.56B), while 3M Company trades at $183.52 (market cap $94.44B). The key difference: 3M Company is far larger — about 2.6× Hershey Co's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.19%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | MMM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.56B | $94.44B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Industrials |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $183.13 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $141.10 |
Enterprise Value | $41.70B | $103.67B |
Dividend Yield | 3.19% | 1.7% |
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.
3M (MMM) trades at $183.58, up 0.85% with strong technical momentum and bullish moving average signals. The company delivered three consecutive quarterly earnings beats, with Q2 2026 EPS of $2.40 exceeding expectations by 6.7%, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue trends show stabilization after 2023 challenges, with 2025 revenue of $24.95B and net income margin of 13.02%. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 48% buy ratings but the stock trades above the consensus price target of $173.
The outlook remains positive with operational improvements and innovation driving growth, particularly in Safety & Industrial and Transportation segments. Key risks include litigation liabilities, macroeconomic headwinds, and valuation concerns with elevated P/E of 32.5. The EBO partnership with Microsoft presents long-term data center growth opportunities, though current pricing may limit near-term upside potential.
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 →3M Company conducts operations in electronics, telecommunications, industrial, consumer and office, health care, safety, and other markets. The Company businesses share technologies, manufacturing operations, marketing channels, and other resources. 3M serves customers worldwide.
Read more on MMM →