Hershey Co vs Walmart Stores Inc — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $169.81 (market cap $34.83B), while Walmart Stores Inc trades at $109.95 (market cap $892.90B). The key difference: Walmart Stores Inc is far larger — about 25.6× Hershey Co's market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.38%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | WMT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | $892.90B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $134.20 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $95.67 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | $956.35B |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 0.88% |
Volume | — | 5,675,288 |
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.
Walmart (WMT) trades at $114.24, down 0.62% today, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals including consistent earnings beats and robust cash flow. Revenue reached $681.0B in 2025 (source: company filings, 2025), with net income margin improving to 3.13%. Recent news highlights AI innovation and delivery expansion, while analyst consensus remains bullish with a $142.10 price target.
The outlook is positive due to earnings momentum and strategic investments, but risks include competitive pressure from Amazon and margin volatility. Wall Street's strong buy rating (72.72% of analysts) supports upside potential, though investors should monitor execution against guidance.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Walmart Inc. operates discount stores, supercenters, and neighborhood markets. The Company offers merchandise such as apparel, house wares, small appliances, electronics, musical instruments, books, home improvement, shoes, jewelry, toddler, games, household essentials, pets, pharmaceutical products, party supplies, and automotive tools. Walmart serves customers worldwide.
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