Hershey Co vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $162.74 (market cap $32.66B), while Wendys Co trades at $6.23 (market cap $1.19B). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 27.4× Wendys Co's market cap, and Wendys Co pays the higher dividend (4.49%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Hershey Co for 135 Days and Wendys Co for 77 Days on average.
| HSY | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.66B | $1.19B |
Volume | 1,578,237 | 5,622,905 |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $9.33 |
52-Week Low | $157.61 | $6.10 |
Typical Hold Time | 135 Days | 77 Days |
Enterprise Value | $37.79B | $4.92B |
Dividend Yield | 3.57% | 4.49% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Hershey (HSY) trades at $162.54, up 1.37% with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with 12.24% net margin and 32.81% ROE, though 2025 net income declined to $883M. Analyst consensus targets $204.62 with 65.72% hold ratings, while recent news highlights dividend resumption and international leadership changes.
HSY offers value near 52-week lows with 25% upside to consensus target, supported by consistent earnings outperformance and brand strength. Key risks include cocoa cost pressures, margin compression from 2025 results, and technical bearish momentum. The dividend yield of 3.57% provides income support during market volatility.
WEN trades at $6.22, up 1.8% today, but remains near multi-year lows amid bearish technical signals and fundamental pressures. The stock shows low valuation multiples (P/E 9.45, P/S 0.54) and a high ROE of 108.04%, yet faces declining net income margins (7.58% in 2025) and negative sentiment from recent franchisee bankruptcies. Earnings have consistently beaten estimates, but same-store sales declines and high debt levels ($2.66B long-term) weigh on investor confidence.
The outlook is cautious; while valuation appears cheap and dividend yield offers income, competitive pressures, shrinking sales, and leveraged balance sheet pose significant risks. Analyst consensus is 'Hold' with a $7.58 price target, suggesting limited upside without operational turnaround under new leadership.
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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 →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →