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HSY vs KHC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? The Hershey Company (HSY) vs. The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- HSY reported Q1 2026 earnings that beat expectations, with revenue up 10.6% year-over-year to $3.10 billion, driven by pricing strategies despite volume declines.
- KHC shows stronger year-to-date performance at 5.70% compared to HSY's 0.86%, amid anticipation for its upcoming Q1 results.
- HSY trades at a higher price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 33.89 versus KHC's more attractive valuation, reflecting differing growth expectations.
- Recent market activity has seen HSY decline about 10% over the past month, while KHC has risen slightly by 0.72%.
- Both stocks offer defensive exposure in consumer staples, but KHC provides a higher dividend yield around 7.11%.
- HSY boasts a larger market capitalization of $37 billion compared to KHC's $26.6 billion.
Introduction
Consumer staples stocks like HSY and KHC provide stability in volatile markets, appealing to defensive investors seeking reliable dividends and resilience against economic downturns. This comparison analyzes their recent performance, business models, and market positioning in the current environment. With shifting consumer preferences toward premium products and value options, traders can evaluate relative momentum, valuation metrics, and growth drivers. Year-to-date returns highlight divergent paths, while upcoming catalysts like earnings reports influence sentiment. Investors balancing growth and income may find insights into sector trade-offs here.
HSY Overview and Recent Performance
The Hershey Company (HSY) is a leading confectionery firm focused on chocolate, snacks, and gum, with strong North American brand loyalty. In recent market activity, HSY has faced headwinds, declining about 10% over the past month amid broader consumer staples pressures. Its Q1 2026 results showed revenue growth to $3.10 billion, surpassing forecasts, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.35 beating estimates by 14%. Pricing actions and premium product expansion offset volume declines, bolstered by strong Easter sales and innovation in mints amid health trends. Sentiment reflects caution over input costs like cocoa, which have risen, contributing to year-to-date gains lagging at 0.86% and a 52-week range of $150-$239.
KHC Overview and Recent Performance
The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) operates a diverse portfolio of packaged foods, condiments, and beverages under iconic brands. Recent weeks have seen modest gains, with a 0.72% monthly rise and year-to-date return of 5.70%, outperforming HSY. The stock trades near its 52-week low of $21-$29, supported by cost-saving initiatives and Berkshire Hathaway's stake. Q4 FY25 EPS beat estimates at $0.67, with focus shifting to Q1 2026 results due May 6. Challenges include volume softness and margin pressures, but new products like Capri Sun Hydrate aim to counter declining sales trends. Dividend yield remains attractive at 7.11%.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
HSY and KHC both anchor the consumer staples sector, but diverge in business models: HSY's premium chocolate focus yields pricing power and brand moats, while KHC's broad portfolio spans everyday essentials for scale via cost efficiencies. Growth drivers contrast—HSY leverages innovation and holidays, KHC pursues turnaround through product launches amid volume headwinds. Recent momentum favors KHC with steadier gains versus HSY's pullback post-earnings. Risk factors include commodity inflation for HSY and sales declines for KHC; sector exposure is similar, but KHC's higher yield appeals to income seekers. Market sentiment tilts toward value in KHC's lower valuation versus HSY's growth premium, highlighting trade-offs in stability versus upside potential.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI currently leans toward KHC based on superior recent momentum, including positive monthly performance and stronger year-to-date returns, alongside attractive valuation and dividend positioning. HSY's earnings strength provides stability, but trend consistency and relative market outperformance give KHC an edge in probabilistic short-term scenarios. Observable catalysts like KHC's impending earnings could shift dynamics.
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. Disclaimers and Limitations
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 HSY is a Hold and KHC 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).
HSY’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileKHC’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- HSY’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- KHC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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.
HSY’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KHC’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HSY’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- KHC’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
HSY (@Food: Specialty/Candy) experienced а -1.58% price change this week, while KHC (@Food: Major Diversified) price change was +8.02% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food: Specialty/Candy industry was +11.75%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -7.24%, and the average quarterly price growth was -8.95%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food: Major Diversified industry was +2.21%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.04%, and the average quarterly price growth was -13.68%.
Reported Earning Dates
HSY is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
KHC is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Food: Specialty/Candy (+11.75% 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.
@Food: Major Diversified (+2.21% 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.
| HSY | KHC | HSY / KHC | |
| Capitalization | 36.8B | 28.9B | 127% |
| EBITDA | 2.23B | -3.52B | -63% |
| Gain YTD | 1.252 | 4.119 | 30% |
| P/E Ratio | 33.83 | 13.04 | 259% |
| Revenue | 12B | 25B | 48% |
| Total Cash | 877M | 4.09B | 21% |
| Total Debt | 5.68B | 21.1B | 27% |
HSY | KHC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 61 | 27 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 27 Undervalued | 5 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 82 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 41 | 95 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 61 | 49 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 17 | 63 | |
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.
KHC's Valuation (5) in the Food Major Diversified industry is in the same range as HSY (27) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry. This means that KHC’s stock grew similarly to HSY’s over the last 12 months.
HSY's Profit vs Risk Rating (82) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is in the same range as KHC (100) in the Food Major Diversified industry. This means that HSY’s stock grew similarly to KHC’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 KHC (95) in the Food Major Diversified industry. This means that HSY’s stock grew somewhat faster than KHC’s over the last 12 months.
KHC's Price Growth Rating (49) in the Food Major Diversified industry is in the same range as HSY (61) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry. This means that KHC’s stock grew similarly to HSY’s over the last 12 months.
HSY's P/E Growth Rating (17) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is somewhat better than the same rating for KHC (63) in the Food Major Diversified industry. This means that HSY’s stock grew somewhat faster than KHC’s over the last 12 months.
| HSY | KHC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 74% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 39% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 45% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 45% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 49% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 48% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 58% | 10 days ago 55% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | 2 days ago 54% |
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KHC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KHC has been loosely correlated with GIS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 64% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if KHC jumps, then GIS could also see price increases.