Hershey Co vs NextEra Energy, Inc. — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $171.66 (market cap $34.83B), while NextEra Energy, Inc. trades at $87.99 (market cap $183.53B). The key difference: NextEra Energy, Inc. is far larger — about 5.3× Hershey Co's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.38%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | NEE | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $183.53B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Utilities |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $97.88 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $69.77 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | $285.94B |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 2.83% |
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.
NextEra Energy (NEE) trades at $87.82, down 1.1% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The company reported mixed Q1 2026 earnings, beating estimates with $1.09 EPS versus $1.03 expected, but missed Q4 2025. Revenue for 2025 reached $27.41B with a net income margin of 29.37%. Recent news highlights a planned $59B annual capex through 2032 and a merger filing with Dominion Energy to expand market reach.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus price target of $101.88 (16% upside), supported by 66.7% buy ratings. Key risks include high capital expenditures straining cash flow and regulatory hurdles for the Dominion merger. The stock offers growth potential from clean energy investments but faces execution and debt concerns.
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 →NextEra Energy's regulated utility, Florida Power & Light, distributes power to more than 5 million customers in Florida. FP&L contributes more than 60% of the group's operating earnings. The renewable energy segment generates and sells power throughout the United States and Canada. Consolidated generation capacity totals more than 50 gigawatts and includes natural gas, nuclear, wind, and solar assets.
Read more on NEE →