Hershey Co vs Marathon Petroleum Corp — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $180.49 (market cap $36.56B), while Marathon Petroleum Corp trades at $340.94 (market cap $94.48B). The key difference: Marathon Petroleum Corp 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 | MPC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.56B | $94.48B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Energy |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $336.42 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $159.11 |
Enterprise Value | $41.70B | $121.00B |
Dividend Yield | 3.19% | 1.19% |
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.
Marathon Petroleum (MPC) trades at $320.32, up 7.42% in 24 hours, reflecting strong momentum after Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations by 22.1%. The stock is in a bullish technical trend, supported by robust refining margins and disciplined operations. Recent news highlights MPC's advantage from global refining tightness and geopolitical disruptions. Valuation ratios like P/E of 11.67 and P/S of 0.65 suggest potential undervaluation relative to earnings growth.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus at Buy (75.76%) and a $332.70 price target, though risks include volatile energy markets and debt levels. Earnings growth and cash returns via dividends and buybacks are key catalysts, but investors should monitor refining margin sustainability and 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 →Marathon Petroleum is an independent refiner with 13 refineries in the midcontinent, West Coast, and Gulf Coast of the United States with total throughput capacity of 2.9 million barrels per day. Its Dickinson, ND, facility produces 184 million gallons a year of renewable diesel. Its Martinez, CA, facility will have the ability to produce 730 million gallons a year of renewable diesel once converted. The firm also owns and operates midstream assets primarily through its listed MLP, MPLX.
Read more on MPC →