Hershey Co vs Philip Morris International Inc. — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $183 (market cap $36.56B), while Philip Morris International Inc. trades at $185.89 (market cap $290.24B). The key difference: Philip Morris International Inc. is far larger — about 7.9× Hershey Co's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.19%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | PM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.56B | $290.24B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $200.17 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $144.33 |
Enterprise Value | $41.70B | $333.36B |
Dividend Yield | 3.19% | 3.16% |
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.
Philip Morris International (PM) trades at $186.00, down 1.88% on the day, with a neutral technical signal. The stock shows strong profitability with a 25.56% net income margin and has beaten earnings estimates in two of the last three quarters. Recent news highlights a $500 million impairment charge and a lowered profit forecast due to cost pressures, though the IQOS brand was recognized as a top global brand. Analyst consensus remains bullish with a $211.17 price target.
The outlook is mixed; strong cash flow and brand strength support long-term value, but near-term headwinds from cost inflation and illicit market growth pose risks. The current valuation at a P/E of 25.57 appears fair given earnings resilience, making PM a hold for investors tolerant of sector-specific 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 →Philip Morris International is an international tobacco company with a product portfolio primarily consisting of cigarettes and reduced-risk products, including heat-not-burn, vapor and oral nicotine products, which are sold in markets outside the United States. The company diversified away from nicotine products with the acquisition of Vectura, a provider of innovative inhaled drug delivery solutions, in 2021.
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