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HRL vs HSY
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Hormel Foods (HRL) vs. The Hershey Company (HSY) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Hormel Foods (HRL) and The Hershey Company (HSY) both operate in the consumer defensive packaged foods sector but differ in product focus, with HRL emphasizing protein-based items and HSY centered on confectionery.
- In recent weeks, HSY delivered a strong Q1 2026 earnings beat with revenue growth of 10.6%, while HRL has faced analyst price target reductions amid reports of softer sales trends.
- HSY shares have shown relative resilience with an approximate 8.56% year-to-date return as of late May 2026, compared to HRL’s more mixed performance and notable decline from earlier 2026 levels.
- Both stocks offer attractive dividend yields, though HRL’s yield near 5.5% stands out amid broader market volatility in the sector.
- Market sentiment in recent market activity reflects HSY benefiting from positive earnings momentum, while HRL contends with ongoing adjustments in analyst expectations.
- Relative positioning favors stability in HSY’s recent results versus HRL’s exposure to protein category pressures.
Introduction
Investors and traders often compare stocks within the same industry to assess relative value, performance drivers, and risk profiles in evolving market conditions. Hormel Foods (HRL) and The Hershey Company (HSY) provide a focused lens into the packaged foods space, where both companies navigate consumer spending patterns, input costs, and competitive dynamics. This comparison appeals to income-oriented investors seeking dividend exposure, growth-focused traders monitoring earnings momentum, and those evaluating defensive sector allocations amid broader economic uncertainty. By examining recent performance, business models, and sentiment indicators, market participants can better understand the trade-offs between these two established names.
HRL Overview and Recent Performance
Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) produces and markets a range of branded food products, with emphasis on protein items including meats and prepared meals. In recent weeks, the stock has traded near the lower end of its 52-week range, reflecting pressure from softer sales trends and multiple analyst price target reductions. Market activity has highlighted challenges in certain categories, contributing to tempered sentiment. The company maintains a high dividend yield that continues to attract income seekers, though broader performance metrics show underperformance relative to the S&P 500 over longer periods. Upcoming quarterly results are anticipated to provide further clarity on operational adjustments.
HSY Overview and Recent Performance
The Hershey Company (HSY) manufactures and sells confectionery and snack products globally. Recent market activity has been supported by a robust Q1 2026 earnings report that exceeded expectations on both revenue and earnings per share. This positive development contributed to firmer sentiment in recent weeks, with the stock maintaining a position within its wider 52-week trading band. The company reaffirmed its full-year outlook following the report, underscoring resilience in core segments. Performance metrics indicate relative stability compared to some sector peers, with dividend characteristics remaining a consistent feature for long-term holders.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Hormel Foods (HRL) and The Hershey Company (HSY) share consumer defensive sector exposure yet pursue distinct business models: HRL centers on protein and refrigerated products, while HSY focuses on confectionery with broader international reach. Growth drivers differ accordingly, with HSY recently demonstrating stronger top-line expansion through its earnings beat. Recent momentum has tilted toward HSY following positive quarterly results, contrasting with HRL’s more challenged sales environment and analyst adjustments. Risk factors include commodity cost volatility for both, though HRL carries additional exposure to meat protein markets. Market sentiment reflects greater near-term stability at HSY, while HRL’s higher dividend yield offers a potential offset for income-focused strategies. Overall positioning highlights trade-offs between earnings resilience and yield considerations.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including recent earnings consistency, relative price stability, and positive catalysts, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probability of favorable positioning to The Hershey Company (HSY) over Hormel Foods (HRL). This assessment draws from HSY’s demonstrated revenue growth and earnings outperformance in the latest quarter, alongside steadier market activity in recent weeks, versus HRL’s noted sales pressures and target revisions. The evaluation remains probabilistic and tied to prevailing data trends rather than guarantees of future outcomes.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is HRL is a Buy and HSY is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
HRL’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileHSY’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- HRL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- HSY’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
HRL’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HSY’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HRL’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- HSY’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
HRL (@Food: Major Diversified) experienced а -1.91% price change this week, while HSY (@Food: Specialty/Candy) price change was -5.64% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food: Major Diversified industry was -0.50%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.47%, and the average quarterly price growth was -9.80%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food: Specialty/Candy industry was +0.22%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +4.28%, and the average quarterly price growth was -10.62%.
Reported Earning Dates
HRL is expected to report earnings on Aug 27, 2026.
HSY is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Food: Major Diversified (-0.50% weekly)Companies in this industry usually make a diverse range of agricultural and/or processed food. Some prominent names in this segment are Mondelez International, which makes chocolates, biscuits, cookies etc. The Kraft Heinz Company specializes in ketchups, sauces, fruit drink pouches and many more. General Mills, Inc. sells flour and cereal. Kellogg is famous for its snacks and breakfast cereal. And so on down the line. As more and more consumers are looking for healthier options in food in recent years, several legacy food companies have responded by revamping brands to include organic and no-added-sugar versions, and/or acquiring healthy food firms, and even streamlining operations.
@Food: Specialty/Candy (+0.22% weekly)A specialty/candy manufacturer specializes in one or more of the following: chocolate, candies, pasta, condiments, seasonings, among other items. Hershey Company, McCormick & Company and J.M. Smucker Company are some of the major firms in this segment. Demand for this industry’s products comes from both institutions/restaurants as well as households.
| HRL | HSY | HRL / HSY | |
| Capitalization | 13.6B | 36.4B | 37% |
| EBITDA | 1B | 2.23B | 45% |
| Gain YTD | 4.492 | -4.751 | -95% |
| P/E Ratio | 28.36 | 31.82 | 89% |
| Revenue | 12.2B | 12B | 102% |
| Total Cash | 860M | 877M | 98% |
| Total Debt | 2.86B | 5.68B | 50% |
HRL | HSY | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 15 | 52 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 13 Undervalued | 27 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 88 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 84 | 41 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 47 | 62 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 31 | 20 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
HRL's Valuation (13) in the Food Meat Or Fish Or Dairy industry is in the same range as HSY (27) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry. This means that HRL’s stock grew similarly to HSY’s over the last 12 months.
HSY's Profit vs Risk Rating (88) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is in the same range as HRL (100) in the Food Meat Or Fish Or Dairy industry. This means that HSY’s stock grew similarly to HRL’s over the last 12 months.
HSY's SMR Rating (41) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is somewhat better than the same rating for HRL (84) in the Food Meat Or Fish Or Dairy industry. This means that HSY’s stock grew somewhat faster than HRL’s over the last 12 months.
HRL's Price Growth Rating (47) in the Food Meat Or Fish Or Dairy industry is in the same range as HSY (62) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry. This means that HRL’s stock grew similarly to HSY’s over the last 12 months.
HSY's P/E Growth Rating (20) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is in the same range as HRL (31) in the Food Meat Or Fish Or Dairy industry. This means that HSY’s stock grew similarly to HRL’s over the last 12 months.
| HRL | HSY | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 53% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 57% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 51% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 58% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 43% | 2 days ago 56% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 41% | 12 days ago 63% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 58% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 35% | 2 days ago 58% |
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HRL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HRL has been loosely correlated with GIS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 46% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if HRL jumps, then GIS could also see price increases.
HSY and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HSY has been loosely correlated with KHC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 58% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if HSY jumps, then KHC could also see price increases.