Compare Hershey Co (HSY) vs Verizon Communications Inc (VZ) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Hershey Co vs Verizon Communications Inc — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $171.51 (market cap $34.83B), while Verizon Communications Inc trades at $43.4 (market cap $181.64B). The key difference: Verizon Communications Inc is far larger — about 5.2× Hershey Co's market cap, and Verizon Communications Inc pays the higher dividend (6.51%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | VZ | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $181.64B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Media |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $51.38 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $38.40 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | $369.14B |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 6.51% |
Volume | — | 22,584,735 |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
Verizon (VZ) trades at $43.51, down 0.19% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The stock shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 10.63 and consistent earnings beats, including Q1 2026 EPS of $1.28 versus $1.21 expected. Recent news highlights a restructuring involving 3,000 job cuts and retail store divestitures to franchisees, aimed at improving efficiency. Cash flow from operations remains robust at $37.14 billion for 2025, supporting a dividend yield near 6.7%.
VZ offers value with low valuation multiples and a high dividend, but faces headwinds from intense wireless competition and execution risks in restructuring. Analyst consensus is a 'Hold' with a $48.06 price target, implying 10% upside. Key risks include debt levels and market saturation, while potential catalysts include successful cost-cutting and broadband growth.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Hershey Co
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 →About Verizon Communications Inc
Verizon Communications Inc. is an integrated telecommunications company that provides wire line voice and data services, wireless services, Internet services, and published directory information. The Company also provides network services for the federal government including business phone lines, data services, telecommunications equipment, and payphones.
Read more on VZ →
