Hershey Co vs Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $170.11 (market cap $34.83B), while Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. trades at $87.71 (market cap $13.60B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 2.6× Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.'s market cap, and Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.79%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | SWK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $13.60B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | — |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $94.12 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $62.12 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | $19.77B |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 3.79% |
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.
Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) trades at $87.52, down 2.94% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a neutral RSI. The company has beaten earnings estimates for the last three quarters, with Q2 2026 results expected soon. Revenue has stabilized around $15.1B in 2025, while net income improved to $402M. The stock carries a P/E of 36.95 and a dividend yield supported by recent payouts.
SWK shows operational resilience with consistent cash flow and debt reduction, but faces headwinds in Tools & Outdoor demand. Analyst sentiment is mixed with a consensus hold rating; the stock offers value and momentum potential amid ongoing cost-saving initiatives and aerospace growth, though high debt and consumer weakness pose risks to near-term 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 →Stanley Black & Decker Inc is a manufacturer of hand and power tools. The company operates three business segments: tools and storage, security, and industrial. Tools and storage, the largest segment by revenue, sells hand tools and power tools to professional end-users, distributors, retail consumers, and industrial customers. Security installs electronic security systems and provides electronic security services including alarm monitoring and video surveillance. Industrial sells engineered fastening products such as stud-welding systems, blind inserts and tools, and engineered plastic and mechanical fasteners. The largest end market is the United States of America.
Read more on SWK →