Hershey Co vs 3M Company — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $171.66 (market cap $34.83B), while 3M Company trades at $168.25 (market cap $82.99B). The key difference: 3M Company is far larger — about 2.4× Hershey Co's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.38%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | MMM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $82.99B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Industrials |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $174.61 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $141.10 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | $91.39B |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 1.96% |
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.
3M (MMM) trades at $159.98, up 0.09% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and recent earnings beats. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $2.14, exceeding the $1.98 estimate, and maintains a strong net income margin of 11.14%. Analysts are divided with a 48.49% buy rating, and the consensus price target is $149.75. Recent news highlights Q2 earnings expectations and new partnerships, such as the Airbus A220 supply agreement.
The outlook for MMM is mixed; earnings momentum and cost optimization support growth, but valuation ratios like a P/E of 30.8 suggest premium pricing. Risks include consumer segment weakness and debt levels. Upside depends on Q2 results meeting the $2.27 EPS forecast, while downside could stem from macroeconomic pressures.
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 →