Hershey Co vs J M Smucker Co — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $171.69 (market cap $34.83B), while J M Smucker Co trades at $117.77 (market cap $12.37B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 2.8× J M Smucker Co's market cap, and J M Smucker Co pays the higher dividend (3.87%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | SJM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $12.37B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $117.05 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $89.53 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | $19.40B |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 3.87% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Hershey (HSY) trades at $170.63, down 0.46% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported revenue of $11.69B for 2025 with a net income margin of 9.12%, though margins have compressed from prior years. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, and the company announced a $1.45 dividend payable in June 2026. Analyst consensus is a 'Hold' with a price target of $207.82, indicating potential upside from current levels.
The outlook for HSY hinges on margin recovery as high cocoa costs cycle out. While valuation multiples appear elevated, consistent earnings beats and a solid dividend yield of approximately 3.4% provide support. Key risks include persistent volume weakness and competitive pressures. The stock presents a cautious opportunity for investors betting on a fundamental rebound in the second half of 2026.
SJM trades at $115.75, up 3.34% today, showing strong momentum near resistance levels. The company maintains positive cash flow despite recent net losses, with operating cash flow of $1.21 billion in 2025. Recent dividend increases and analyst consensus support a bullish outlook, though profitability metrics remain challenged with negative ROE and net margins. Technical indicators show bullish momentum with the stock trading above key moving averages.
The investment case balances strong cash generation and dividend growth against profitability challenges. Analyst consensus targets $125.50 with 52% buy ratings, suggesting 8.4% upside potential. Key risks include persistent negative margins, high debt levels at 43.7% debt-to-asset ratio, and competitive pressures in the consumer staples sector. The company's Uncrustables division remains a key growth driver with nearly $1 billion in annual sales.
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 →J.M. Smucker is a packaged food company that primarily operates in the U.S. retail channel (87% of fiscal 2022 revenue), but also in U.S. food-service (7%), and international (6%). Its largest segment is pet food and treats (36% of 2022 revenue), with popular brands such as Milk-Bone, Meow Mix, 9Lives, Kibbles 'n Bits, Nature's Recipe, and Rachael Ray Nutrish. Its second-largest category is coffee (35% across channels) with the number-two brand Folgers and number-six Dunkin'. Other large categories are peanut butter (10%), with number-one Jif, fruit spreads (5%) with number-one Smucker's, and frozen hand-held foods (6%) with number-one Uncrustables.
Read more on SJM →