Hershey Co vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $162.41 (market cap $32.66B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $567.43 (market cap $24.12B). The key difference: Hershey Co is the larger of the two by market cap, and Hershey Co pays a 3.57% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Hershey Co for 135 Days and Ulta Beauty Inc for 92 Days on average.
| HSY | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.66B | $24.12B |
Volume | 1,578,237 | 457,598 |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $157.61 | $450.75 |
Typical Hold Time | 135 Days | 92 Days |
Enterprise Value | $37.79B | $26.43B |
Dividend Yield | 3.57% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Hershey (HSY) trades at $161.88, up 0.96% with a bearish technical outlook. The stock shows strong profitability with 12.24% net margin and 32.81% ROE, though Q3 2026 earnings are pending. Recent news highlights brand investments and dividend resumption after a near 2-year freeze. Valuation metrics include P/E of 22.2 and P/S of 2.72, with analyst consensus price target at $204.62 representing 26% upside potential.
HSY presents a mixed investment case with strong fundamentals offset by near-term headwinds. The opportunity lies in consistent dividend growth potential and market leadership, while risks include commodity cost pressures and competitive challenges. Analyst sentiment leans cautious with 66% hold ratings, suggesting patience for earnings catalysts and margin stabilization.
ULTA Beauty trades at $570.02, up 4.5% today, showing strong momentum with a bullish technical setup and positive analyst sentiment. The company delivered Q2 2026 earnings beat ($6.55 actual vs. $6.22 expected) and raised 2026 guidance, supported by robust e-commerce growth. Valuation metrics show a P/E of 20.55 and P/S of 1.92, while profitability remains solid with 39.3% gross margins and 46.1% ROE. Recent news highlights expansion into wellness categories and omnichannel strength.
Outlook remains positive with consensus price target of $624.93 (9.6% upside), though margin pressure and flat store traffic pose execution risks. The stock's current price near resistance at $572 suggests potential near-term consolidation before further gains. Institutional ownership trends show mixed activity with recent CEO share sales offset by pension fund accumulation.
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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 →With more than 1,300 stores and a partnership with Target, Ulta Beauty is the largest specialized beauty retailer in the U.S. The firm offers makeup (43% of 2021 sales), fragrances, skin care, and hair care products (20% of 2021 sales), and bath and body items. Ulta offers private-label products and merchandise from more than 500 vendors. It also offers salon services, including hair, makeup, skin, and brow services, in all stores. Most Ulta stores are approximately 10,000 square feet and are in suburban strip centers. Ulta was founded in 1990 and is based in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Read more on ULTA →