Hershey Co vs 22nd Century Group Inc — how do they compare? Hershey Co trades at $184.8 (market cap $37.02B), while 22nd Century Group Inc trades at $4.07 (market cap $1.49M). The key difference: Hershey Co is far larger — about 24845.6× 22nd Century Group Inc's market cap, and Hershey Co pays a 3.15% dividend while 22nd Century Group Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HSY | XXII | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $37.02B | $1.49M |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Technology |
52-Week High | $236.28 | $801.00 |
52-Week Low | $162.31 | $3.72 |
Enterprise Value | $42.15B | -$6.74M |
Dividend Yield | 3.15% | — |
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.
22nd Century Group (XXII) trades at $4.31, down 0.92% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and bearish moving averages. The company shows deep unprofitability with a gross margin of -52.19% and net margin of -65.76%, though revenue was $7.05M in 2025. Recent corporate actions include a 20:1 reverse stock split in June 2026, and news highlights retail expansion for VLN reduced-nicotine cigarettes in California and New York.
The outlook remains speculative with high execution risk amid persistent losses, but analyst sentiment is bullish with 75% buy ratings. Key risks include negative cash flow from operations, regulatory hurdles for tobacco products, and the need for successful commercialization of VLN to achieve profitability.
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 →22nd Century Group is a plant biotechnology company that uses genetic engineering and gene editing to control the levels of nicotine in tobacco plants. Its flagship product line, VLN®, is the first and only combustible cigarette authorized by the FDA as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP), containing 95% less nicotine than traditional cigarettes to help adult smokers smoke less.
Read more on XXII →