Hershey Co vs Realty Income Corp — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $171.66 (market cap $34.83B), while Realty Income Corp trades at $65 (market cap $60.78B). The key difference: Realty Income Corp is the larger of the two by market cap, and Realty Income Corp pays the higher dividend (4.99%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | O | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $60.78B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Real Estate |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $67.56 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $55.93 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | $90.58B |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 4.99% |
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.
Realty Income (O) trades at $65.04, down 1.02% today, near the analyst consensus price target of $67.50. The stock shows a bullish technical setup with strong moving average signals, though RSI levels suggest mild overbought conditions. Recent earnings have missed expectations for three consecutive quarters, but revenue growth remains steady, rising to $5.75B in 2025. The company maintains a high dividend yield with consistent payouts, supported by robust operating cash flow of $4.0B.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic with a solid dividend profile and expansion through partnerships, but elevated P/E of 53.86 and recent earnings misses pose valuation and execution risks. Debt levels have increased, with debt-to-asset ratio reaching 39.93% in 2025, adding financial leverage concerns. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 41% buy ratings, reflecting balanced views on growth potential versus rich valuations.
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 →Realty Income owns roughly 11,400 properties, most of which are freestanding, single-tenant, triple-net-leased retail properties. Its properties are located in 49 states and Puerto Rico and are leased to 250 tenants from 47 industries. Recent acquisitions have added industrial, office, manufacturing, and distribution properties, which make up roughly 17% of revenue.
Read more on O →