Hershey Co vs State Street PDR S&P Retail ETF — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $170.49 (market cap $34.83B), while State Street PDR S&P Retail ETF trades at $88.61. The key difference: Hershey Co pays a 3.38% dividend while State Street PDR S&P Retail ETF pays none, and State Street PDR S&P Retail ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Hershey Co nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | XRT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.83B | — |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $90.88 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $77.28 |
Enterprise Value | $39.63B | — |
Dividend Yield | 3.38% | — |
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.
XRT trades at $88.94, down 0.54% today, with a bullish technical outlook from moving averages but neutral oscillators. Recent retail sales data shows five consecutive months of growth, supporting the ETF's consumer discretionary exposure. The fund offers diversified retail sector access but lacks specific valuation metrics in current data.
The ETF benefits from sustained consumer spending trends but faces headwinds from inflation and weak sentiment. Technical strength suggests near-term upside potential, though overbought RSI signals caution. Risks include macroeconomic pressures and sector volatility.
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 →XRT is an equal-weighted ETF that tracks the U.S. retail sector. It provides diversified exposure to apparel, automotive, and online retailers, including well-known names like Amazon, Target, and Costco.
Read more on XRT →