Hershey Co vs VF Corp — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $183 (market cap $36.56B), while VF Corp trades at $14.63 (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 $184.19, up 0.79% with a bullish technical outlook and strong fundamental performance. The stock shows consistent earnings beats with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.90 exceeding expectations by 33%, while revenue growth remains steady at $11.69 billion for 2025. Technical indicators show bullish momentum with the current price near resistance at $184, supported by positive moving average signals. The company maintains robust profitability with 38.38% gross margins and 32.81% ROE, though net income declined to $883 million in 2025 from previous highs.
HSY presents a favorable risk-reward profile with analyst consensus target of $196.78 offering 7% upside potential. Recent margin recovery from favorable cocoa contracts and dividend growth support bullish sentiment, though volume declines and competitive pressures in salty snacks remain concerns. With 68.57% of analysts maintaining Hold ratings, the stock offers steady growth potential but requires monitoring of consumer demand trends and input cost management.
VFC stock trades at $14.69, down 1.41% on the day, reflecting ongoing pressure from recent earnings misses and weak Vans brand performance. Technical indicators are bearish, with the price near key support at $14.00. Fundamentally, 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 is focused on deleveraging, with debt-to-asset ratio improving to 42.42% in 2025.
The outlook remains challenging due to brand-specific headwinds and macro pressures, but cost controls and a raised fiscal 2027 revenue outlook offer some optimism. Risks include persistent Vans weakness and consumer sentiment, while the consensus price target of $17.44 suggests modest upside if turnaround efforts gain traction.
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 →