Compare Hershey Co (HSY) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Hershey Co vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $162.74 (market cap $32.66B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $145.6 (market cap $351.28B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 10.8× Hershey Co's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.57%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Hershey Co for 135 Days and Merck & Co., Inc. for 98 Days on average.
| HSY | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.66B | $351.28B |
Volume | 1,578,237 | 7,969,665 |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $156.43 |
52-Week Low | $157.61 | $82.49 |
Typical Hold Time | 135 Days | 98 Days |
Enterprise Value | $37.79B | $398.04B |
Dividend Yield | 3.57% | 2.39% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Hershey (HSY) trades at $162.54, up 1.37% with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with 12.24% net margin and 32.81% ROE, though 2025 net income declined to $883M. Analyst consensus targets $204.62 with 65.72% hold ratings, while recent news highlights dividend resumption and international leadership changes.
HSY offers value near 52-week lows with 25% upside to consensus target, supported by consistent earnings outperformance and brand strength. Key risks include cocoa cost pressures, margin compression from 2025 results, and technical bearish momentum. The dividend yield of 3.57% provides income support during market volatility.
Merck (MRK) trades at $142.40, down 0.28% on the day, with a bearish technical signal and key support at $140. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 EPS expected at $2.14. Revenue grew to $65.01B in 2025, and net income reached $18.25B, though the P/E ratio is elevated at 113.9. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline.
The outlook for MRK is mixed, with solid fundamentals and analyst optimism countered by high valuation and bearish technicals. The consensus price target of $158.78 suggests upside potential, but investors face risks from competitive pressures and integration challenges from recent M&A activity. Earnings growth and pipeline developments remain key catalysts.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
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About Hershey Co
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 →About Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent hepatitis B and pediatric diseases as well as HPV and shingles. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the firm's sales are generated in the United States.
Read more on MRK →
