Hershey Co vs Synchrony Financial — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $171.51 (market cap $34.83B), while Synchrony Financial trades at $73 (market cap $24.69B). The key difference: Hershey Co is the larger of the two by market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.38%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | SYF | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $24.69B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Financials |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $88.47 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $63.78 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | — |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 1.63% |
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.
Synchrony Financial (SYF) trades at $73.41, down 0.29% with a bearish technical signal. The stock shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 7.62, net income margin of 24.06%, and consistent earnings beats. Recent corporate actions include a $0.30 dividend payment in May 2026. Cash flow remains positive despite projected 2026 challenges. Technical indicators show mixed signals with RSI at neutral levels but bearish moving averages.
SYF presents value opportunity with attractive valuation metrics and strong profitability, though facing near-term technical headwinds. Key risks include economic sensitivity as a consumer lender and potential margin pressure from rising rates. Analyst consensus remains bullish with $86.38 price target representing 17.7% upside potential from current levels.
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 →Synchrony Financial is a premier consumer financial services company and the largest provider of private-label credit cards in the United States. Spun off from GE Capital in 2014, it operates through a unique B2B2C model, embedding its financing products within the ecosystems of major partners like Amazon, Lowe’s, and PayPal. Synchrony leverages deep data analytics and a diverse multi-platform strategy—spanning retail, health, and auto—to drive customer loyalty and provide specialized credit solutions at the point of sale.
Read more on SYF →