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HSY vs MKC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? The Hershey Company (HSY) vs. McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- HSY, a leader in confectionery, has experienced a recent 10% share price pullback amid commodity cost pressures, trading at a P/E ratio (price-to-earnings ratio) of 42.87 compared to MKC's lower 8.26.
- MKC, focused on spices and flavors, is undergoing a transformative merger with Unilever's Foods business, potentially boosting growth but contributing to recent stock weakness.
- Both stocks operate in the defensive consumer staples sector, with low betas (HSY 0.17, MKC 0.71) indicating relative stability versus the broader market.
- HSY shows mixed AI signals with upward trend potential ahead of Q1 earnings on April 30, while MKC displays oversold recovery signs but persistent downward momentum.
- Analyst average price targets suggest upside: HSY at $224.61 (20% potential) versus MKC at $62.69 (24% potential).
- Tickeron's comparison tool views HSY as a stronger long-term buy relative to MKC.
Introduction
The Hershey Company (HSY) and McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC) are prominent players in the consumer staples sector, offering essential food products—chocolate and confectionery for HSY, spices and seasonings for MKC. This stock comparison is relevant for defensive investors seeking stability amid market volatility, as both exhibit low beta values and dividend yields above 3%. Traders may find value in analyzing their relative performance, growth catalysts, and AI-driven signals in the current environment of rising input costs and shifting consumer trends.
HSY Overview and Recent Performance
The Hershey Company is a global leader in chocolate, candy, and confectionery products, with iconic brands like Hershey's Kisses and Reese's. In recent market activity, HSY shares have pulled back approximately 10% over the past 30 days, closing at $186.49 on April 27, 2026, amid concerns over higher cocoa and commodity costs pressuring margins. Year-to-date returns stand at 3.15%, with a market cap of $37.8 billion and a trailing P/E of 42.87. Key influences include anticipation for Q1 2026 earnings on April 30, expected at $3.03 billion in revenue and $2.06 EPS, alongside strategic shifts in sustainability and AI applications in marketing. Sentiment reflects caution from analysts like Morgan Stanley, who lowered price targets due to input pressures, though the stock's low beta of 0.17 underscores its defensive positioning.
MKC Overview and Recent Performance
McCormick & Company, Incorporated dominates the flavor industry with brands like McCormick spices and Frank's RedHot. MKC shares have faced prolonged weakness, trading at $50.40 on April 27, 2026, down from a 52-week high of $78.16, with a market cap of $13.55 billion and an attractive trailing P/E of 8.26. Recent developments center on a major merger with Unilever's Foods business, aimed at global expansion and sales growth of 12-16% in fiscal 2026 constant currency. Q1 results showed revenue beating estimates at $1.87 billion, but share price momentum has lagged, with YTD returns at 25.34% offset by broader declines. Higher profit margins of 23.12% and a dividend yield of 3.81% support appeal, though integration risks temper sentiment.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
HSY and MKC both thrive in consumer staples, providing recession-resistant exposure, but differ in business models: HSY's focus on indulgent confectionery drives volume sensitivity to pricing and trends like GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, while MKC's essential flavorings offer steadier demand. Growth drivers contrast sharply—MKC's Unilever merger promises expanded scale and margins, versus HSY's reliance on pricing power amid cocoa volatility. Recent momentum favors neither decisively, with HSY's 10% pullback versus MKC's steeper declines from highs, though HSY boasts higher YTD stability in some metrics. Risk factors include commodity inflation for HSY and merger integration for MKC, both mitigated by strong balance sheets (HSY debt/equity 123.76%, MKC higher ROE at 25.35%). Market sentiment leans toward HSY's trend consistency per AI tools, while MKC's lower valuation signals potential value trade-off.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI analysis currently favors HSY over MKC, citing superior long-term trend consistency, oversold bounce potential via RSI and Stochastic signals, and relative stability in the consumer staples sector despite recent pullbacks. MKC shows recovery hints from oversold conditions but faces stronger downward Aroon and momentum indicators. Observable factors like HSY's upward Bollinger Band trajectory and higher analyst upside position it probabilistically ahead in the near term, subject to earnings outcomes and sector 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 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 MKC is a Hold.
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 1 FA rating(s) are green whileMKC’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- HSY’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- MKC’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 MKC’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HSY’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- MKC’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
HSY (@Food: Specialty/Candy) experienced а +1.33% price change this week, while MKC (@Food: Major Diversified) price change was -4.08% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food: Specialty/Candy industry was +0.74%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -7.81%, and the average quarterly price growth was -1.24%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food: Major Diversified industry was -1.48%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +4.98%, and the average quarterly price growth was +3629.08%.
Reported Earning Dates
HSY is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
MKC is expected to report earnings on Jun 25, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Food: Specialty/Candy (+0.74% 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 (-1.48% 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 | MKC | HSY / MKC | |
| Capitalization | 37.9B | 12.5B | 303% |
| EBITDA | 2.23B | 1.35B | 165% |
| Gain YTD | 4.217 | -31.342 | -13% |
| P/E Ratio | 34.82 | 7.60 | 458% |
| Revenue | 12B | 7.11B | 169% |
| Total Cash | N/A | 178M | - |
| Total Debt | 5.68B | 4.92B | 115% |
HSY | MKC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 17 | 57 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 35 Fair valued | 21 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 74 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 41 | 36 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 57 | 65 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 13 | 98 | |
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.
MKC's Valuation (21) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is in the same range as HSY (35). This means that MKC’s stock grew similarly to HSY’s over the last 12 months.
HSY's Profit vs Risk Rating (74) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is in the same range as MKC (100). This means that HSY’s stock grew similarly to MKC’s over the last 12 months.
MKC's SMR Rating (36) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is in the same range as HSY (41). This means that MKC’s stock grew similarly to HSY’s over the last 12 months.
HSY's Price Growth Rating (57) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is in the same range as MKC (65). This means that HSY’s stock grew similarly to MKC’s over the last 12 months.
HSY's P/E Growth Rating (13) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is significantly better than the same rating for MKC (98). This means that HSY’s stock grew significantly faster than MKC’s over the last 12 months.
| HSY | MKC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 67% | 3 days ago 50% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 50% | 3 days ago 40% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 66% | 3 days ago 62% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 69% | 3 days ago 64% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 59% | 3 days ago 55% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 54% | 3 days ago 53% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 62% | N/A |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 57% | 5 days ago 55% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 54% | 3 days ago 57% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 53% |
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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.