Hershey Co vs Select Medical Holdings Corporation — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $171.66 (market cap $34.83B), while Select Medical Holdings Corporation trades at $16.51 (market cap $2.05B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 17× Select Medical Holdings Corporation's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.38%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | SEM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $2.05B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $16.66 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $11.77 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | $5.01B |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 1.51% |
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.
Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM) trades at $16.51, unchanged on the day, following its recent acquisition completion by a consortium led by Robert A. Ortenzio and Martin F. at $16.50 per share. The stock exhibits a mixed technical picture with a bullish overall signal but bearish moving averages. Fundamentally, the company reported 2025 revenue of $5.45 billion with a net income margin of 2.42%, while valuation ratios like a P/E of 15.43 and P/S of 0.36 appear reasonable. Recent earnings show two misses in the last three quarters against expectations.
The investment outlook is dominated by the completed acquisition, effectively capping upside near the $16.50 deal price. Risks include ongoing shareholder litigation alleging fiduciary breaches by the board regarding the buyout fairness. Analyst sentiment is neutral with a Hold-heavy consensus, while the stock's future price action will largely hinge on legal outcomes surrounding the acquisition terms rather than operational performance.
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 →Select Medical Holdings Corporation is one of the largest operators of critical illness recovery hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and occupational health centers in the United States. The company's services focus on treating patients with serious illnesses, injuries, and post-acute care needs. SEM provides specialized care across various settings, aiming to help patients recover and return home.
Read more on SEM →