Compare Hershey Co (HSY) vs Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Hershey Co vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $162.74 (market cap $32.66B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $103.98 (market cap $37.19B). The key difference: Hershey Co and Paychex, Inc. are close in size by market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays the higher dividend (4.56%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Hershey Co for 135 Days and Paychex, Inc. for 56 Days on average.
| HSY | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.66B | $37.19B |
Volume | 1,578,237 | 3,344,316 |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Industrials |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $128.59 |
52-Week Low | $157.61 | $85.57 |
Typical Hold Time | 135 Days | 56 Days |
Enterprise Value | $37.79B | $40.87B |
Dividend Yield | 3.57% | 4.56% |
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 beating earnings expectations for three consecutive quarters. The stock shows strong profitability with 12.24% net margin and 32.81% ROE, though 2025 net income declined significantly. Recent news highlights dividend resumption and international leadership changes while analysts maintain a cautious stance with 65.72% hold ratings.
HSY presents a mixed outlook with solid fundamentals offset by near-term challenges. The 26% upside to consensus price target of $204.62 offers potential, but cocoa cost pressures and technical bearishness warrant caution. Dividend investors may find value given the recent payout resumption, though margin compression remains a key monitorable.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $104.46, up 2.87% on the day, showing resilience after recent volatility. The stock exhibits a mixed technical picture with a bullish overall signal but bearish moving averages, while fundamentals remain solid with consistent earnings beats, a 27.35% net income margin, and a forward P/E of 20.73. Recent news highlights strong Q1 2027 results but also concerns over dividend sustainability and labor market exposure.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic, supported by robust profitability and a consensus price target of $111, offering potential upside. Key risks include sensitivity to small business employment trends, high valuation multiples, and investor scrutiny of cash flow allocation. The stock presents a hold case for income-focused investors, balancing dividend yield against growth deceleration concerns.
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 Paychex, Inc.
Paychex is a leading provider of payroll, human capital management, and insurance solutions servicing small and midsize clients primarily in the United States. The company, established in 1979, services over 730,000 clients and pays over 1 in 12 U.S. private-sector workers. Alongside its traditional payroll services, Paychex offers HCM solutions such as benefits administration and time and attendance software, as well as human resources outsourcing and insurance agency services.
Read more on PAYX →
