Hershey Co vs Paycom Software Inc — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $183 (market cap $36.56B), while Paycom Software Inc trades at $211 (market cap $9.57B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 3.8× Paycom Software Inc's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.19%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | PAYC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.56B | $9.57B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Technology |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $233.89 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $113.59 |
Enterprise Value | $41.70B | $10.35B |
Dividend Yield | 3.19% | 0.71% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Hershey (HSY) trades at $184.19, up 0.79% with a bullish technical outlook and strong fundamental performance. The stock shows consistent earnings beats with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.90 exceeding expectations by 33%, while revenue growth remains steady at $11.69 billion for 2025. Technical indicators show bullish momentum with the current price near resistance at $184, supported by positive moving average signals. The company maintains robust profitability with 38.38% gross margins and 32.81% ROE, though net income declined to $883 million in 2025 from previous highs.
HSY presents a favorable risk-reward profile with analyst consensus target of $196.78 offering 7% upside potential. Recent margin recovery from favorable cocoa contracts and dividend growth support bullish sentiment, though volume declines and competitive pressures in salty snacks remain concerns. With 68.57% of analysts maintaining Hold ratings, the stock offers steady growth potential but requires monitoring of consumer demand trends and input cost management.
Paycom Software (PAYC) trades at $211.28, down 1.02% today, with a bullish technical outlook per moving averages but overbought RSI signals. The company reported strong Q2 2026 results, beating EPS estimates with $2.78 versus $2.38 expected, and raised its full-year revenue and EBITDA guidance, driven by AI-driven demand and operational efficiency.
The stock offers growth potential from robust earnings momentum and high profitability margins, but risks include valuation premiums and competitive pressures. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $219.22 price target, suggesting moderate upside from current levels amid near-term volatility.
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 →Paycom is a fast-growing provider of payroll and human capital management, or HCM, software primarily targeting clients with 50-10,000 employees in the United States. Paycom was established in 1998 and services about 18,000 clients as of 2021, based on parent company grouping. Alongside its core payroll software, Paycom offers various HCM add-on modules, including time and attendance, talent management, and benefits administration.
Read more on PAYC →