Hershey Co vs VF Corp — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $180.47 (market cap $36.56B), while VF Corp trades at $14.58 (market cap $5.81B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 6.3× VF Corp's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.19%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | VFC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.56B | $5.81B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $21.55 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $12.21 |
Enterprise Value | $41.70B | $10.09B |
Dividend Yield | 3.19% | 2.44% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Hershey (HSY) trades at $182.75, up 0.22% with a bullish technical signal and strong fundamental momentum. The stock shows consistent earnings beats with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.90 exceeding expectations by 33%, while revenue growth trends upward to $11.69 billion in 2025. Analyst consensus targets $196.78 with 69% hold ratings, reflecting cautious optimism amid margin recovery from favorable cocoa contracts and dividend growth.
The outlook remains positive with earnings rebound and pricing power, though risks include volume declines and competitive pressures. Current valuation at 24.86 P/E appears reasonable given 32.81% ROE and improving cash flow trends. Institutional sentiment is mixed with recent insider sales offset by upward guidance revisions.
VFC trades at $14.90, down 0.6% on the day, near the low end of analyst targets. Technical indicators are bearish, with mixed recent earnings showing a Q4 beat but Q1 and Q2 misses. Revenue has declined from $11.8B in 2022 to $9.5B in 2025, with net losses in 2024 and 2025, though 2026 projects a return to profitability. The company faces brand-specific headwinds, particularly with Vans, while maintaining a reasonable P/S ratio of 0.62.
The outlook is cautious. Deleveraging progress and a raised 2027 revenue outlook offer some optimism, but persistent Vans weakness and macro pressures pose significant risks. Analyst consensus is Hold, with a $17.44 price target suggesting limited upside from current levels amid ongoing operational challenges.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →VF designs, produces, and distributes branded apparel and accessories. Its largest apparel categories include action sports, outdoor, and workwear. Its portfolio of about a dozen brands includes Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Supreme, and Dickies. VF markets its products in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific through wholesale sales to retailers, e-commerce, and branded stores owned by the company and partners. The company has grown through multiple acquisitions and traces its roots to 1899.
Read more on VFC →