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 $170.5 (market cap $34.83B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $125.86 (market cap $307.25B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 8.8× Hershey Co's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.38%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $307.25B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | $350.66B |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 2.73% |
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 $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.
MRK trades at $125.85, down 1.29% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $137.30 suggesting 9% upside. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, with Q1 2026 loss narrower than forecast. The company maintains strong profitability with a 73.91% gross margin and 18.97% ROE, while actively expanding its pipeline through acquisitions like Terns Pharmaceuticals.
Outlook remains positive driven by earnings beats and strategic M&A, but risks include rising debt levels and patent expirations. The stock offers a dividend yield with upcoming payment, supported by institutional accumulation. Valuation multiples are elevated, requiring sustained growth to justify current levels amid competitive and regulatory pressures.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →
