Hershey Co vs First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $162.34 (market cap $32.66B), while First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund trades at $329.84 (market cap $4.10B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 8× First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund's market cap, and Hershey Co pays a 3.57% dividend while First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Hershey Co for 135 Days and First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund for 40 Days on average.
| HSY | QTEC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.66B | $4.10B |
Volume | 1,578,237 | 264,303 |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $340.28 |
52-Week Low | $157.61 | $207.03 |
Typical Hold Time | 135 Days | 40 Days |
Enterprise Value | $37.79B | — |
Dividend Yield | 3.57% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Hershey (HSY) trades at $160.34, down 0.29% on the day, with the stock showing bearish technical signals despite strong recent earnings beats. The company maintains solid profitability with a 12.24% net margin and 32.81% ROE, though 2025 net income declined to $883 million from prior years. Analyst consensus remains cautious with 65.72% hold ratings, but the $204.62 price target suggests 27.6% upside potential. Recent corporate developments include international leadership changes and ongoing brand investments to drive demand.
HSY presents a mixed investment case with attractive valuation upside but near-term headwinds. The stock's current price near support levels offers entry opportunity for dividend investors, with the recent dividend resumption signaling management confidence. However, commodity cost pressures and competitive threats in the consumer staples space create execution risks. Institutional ownership trends show mixed signals with both new positions and reductions in Q2 2026.
QTEC, the First Trust NASDAQ-100-Technology Sector ETF, trades at $335.82, down 1.31% on the day. Technical indicators show a bullish trend from moving averages but caution from overbought RSI levels. The ETF provides equal-weighted exposure to the technology sector, with recent analysis highlighting its broader sector definition and liquidity advantages.
The outlook for QTEC is supported by bullish technical trends and its role in tech exposure, though overbought conditions and sector volatility present risks. Investment opportunity lies in diversified tech access, but investors face market sensitivity and valuation pressures inherent to technology stocks.
Trailing returns across standard periods
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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 →QTEC is an ETF that seeks to track the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. The fund provides targeted exposure to companies within the NASDAQ-100 that are classified as technology or telecommunications companies, focusing on firms involved in software, hardware, and related services. QTEC is a tool for investors seeking focused exposure to high-growth, large-cap technology companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange.
Read more on QTEC →