Compare Hershey Co (HSY) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Hershey Co vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $183 (market cap $36.56B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $226.5 (market cap $90.68B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is far larger — about 2.5× Hershey Co's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.19%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.56B | $90.68B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Industrials |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $41.70B | $113.47B |
Dividend Yield | 3.19% | 1.56% |
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 $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.
WM trades at $226.19, down 0.18% today, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates at $2.02 per share, driven by pricing discipline and margin gains. Revenue growth is steady, with 2025 revenue at $25.20 billion, though net income margin dipped to 10.74%. The stock shows a bullish analyst consensus with a $263.43 price target, supported by 20 buy ratings and no sell recommendations. Institutional activity includes mixed trades, such as Bank of America reducing holdings by 6.1% in Q1 2026 (SEC filing, 2026-08-01).
Outlook remains positive due to consistent earnings beats and operational efficiency, but risks include high valuation ratios like a P/E of 59.74 and rising debt levels, with total liabilities at $36.31 billion in 2024. Investors should weigh growth potential against margin pressures and macroeconomic headwinds affecting waste volumes.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 Waste Management, Inc.
Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →
