Hershey Co vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $184.8 (market cap $36.56B), while Williams-Sonoma, Inc. trades at $250.52 (market cap $29.51B). The key difference: Hershey Co is the larger of the two by market cap, and Hershey Co pays the higher dividend (3.19%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | WSM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.56B | $29.51B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $251.81 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $168.64 |
Enterprise Value | $41.70B | $30.35B |
Dividend Yield | 3.19% | 1.21% |
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.
Williams-Sonoma (WSM) trades at $245.16, down 2.26% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but overbought RSI readings. The company maintains strong profitability with a 13.81% net income margin and 54.01% ROE, supported by recent earnings beats. Recent news highlights investor interest and a CEO stock sale, while cash flow trends show variability, with 2025 net cash flow at -$49 million.
Outlook remains positive with consistent earnings performance and a 'Moderate Buy' analyst consensus, though risks include consumer discretionary sector volatility and competitive pressures. The stock trades above the consensus price target of $231.10, suggesting limited near-term upside based on current valuations.
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 →With a wide retail and direct-to-consumer presence, Williams-Sonoma is a leader in the $300 billion domestic home category, focused on expanding its exposure in the B2B, marketplace, and franchise areas. Namesake Williams-Sonoma (175 stores) offers high-end cooking essentials, while Pottery Barn (189) provides casual home accessories. Brand extensions include Pottery Barn Kids (52) and PBteen. West Elm (121) is an emerging concept for young professionals, and Rejuvenation (9) offers lighting and house parts. Williams-Sonoma also has a business-to-business team that supports projects that range from residential to large-scale commercial.
Read more on WSM →