Hershey Co vs First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Idx Fd — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $170.16 (market cap $34.83B), while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Idx Fd trades at $53.23. The key difference: Hershey Co pays a 3.38% dividend while First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Idx Fd pays none, and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Idx Fd is trading nearer its 52-week high, Hershey Co nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | QCLN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | — |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $68.47 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $34.31 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | — |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | — |
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.
QCLN, a clean energy ETF, trades at $51.25, down 1.9% over 24 hours amid a bearish technical signal. The ETF faces headwinds from stalled U.S. renewable permits and supply chain pressures, though long-term demand for clean energy remains strong due to data center growth and global energy security concerns. Technical indicators show oversold conditions with RSI at 29.51, while moving averages signal a downtrend.
The outlook is cautious near-term due to policy uncertainty and cost inflation, but structural growth in low-emission power supports potential recovery. Risks include regulatory delays and Chinese trade tensions, while analyst sentiment is mixed with clean energy ETFs gaining attention for long-term energy transition themes.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →QCLN invests in U.S.-listed companies engaged in clean energy technologies. It focuses on solar power, wind, electric vehicles, and energy storage, with major holdings in firms like Tesla, ON Semiconductor, and Rivian.
Read more on QCLN →