Hershey Co vs Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund ETF — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $183 (market cap $36.56B), while Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund ETF trades at $85.05. The key difference: Hershey Co pays a 3.19% dividend while Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund ETF pays none, and Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Hershey Co nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | VOOG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.56B | — |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $85.42 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $65.32 |
Enterprise Value | $41.70B | — |
Dividend Yield | 3.19% | — |
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.
VOOG trades at $85.05, down 0.18% on the day but near 52-week highs, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a neutral oscillator stance. Recent news highlights institutional accumulation and strong growth ETF comparisons, though RSI levels suggest potential overbought conditions. The fund focuses on large-cap growth stocks with low expense ratios, benefiting from tech sector leadership.
Outlook remains positive due to institutional inflows and growth exposure, but risks include tech concentration and market volatility. The fund's low costs and historical performance support long-term growth appeal, though investors should monitor valuation metrics amid elevated levels.
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 →VOOG is an index-based ETF that tracks the S&P 500 Growth Index, composed of the growth-oriented companies within the S&P 500. It selects constituents based on three key metrics—sales growth, the ratio of earnings change to price, and momentum—offering a highly liquid and low-cost way to capture the high-performing 'growth slice' of the broader U.S. large-cap market.
Read more on VOOG →