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COST or HSY or MNST
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs. The Hershey Company (HSY) vs. Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- COST shares trade around $998 with a market cap exceeding $443 billion, buoyed by strong Q2 earnings of $4.58 EPS and 9% revenue growth, alongside membership fee increases driving stability.
- HSY leads YTD performance at 24.45% with shares near $225 and a $45.6 billion market cap, fueled by 28% salty snacks growth and Q4 EPS beat of $1.71.
- MNST lags YTD at 1.38% with shares at $75.61 and $74 billion market cap, post a 9% post-earnings drop despite Q4 sales up 17.6% to $2.13 billion.
- All three exhibit premium valuations with P/E ratios above 38—COST at 53.5, HSY at 51.8, MNST at 39—reflecting consumer staples resilience amid market volatility.
- Recent momentum favors defensive plays like COST and HSY over growth-oriented MNST, with tariff refunds and snack diversification as key catalysts.
- Sector exposure highlights COST's retail stability versus HSY and MNST's beverage/confectionery sensitivity to input costs.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines COST, HSY, and MNST—leaders in consumer staples spanning warehouse retail, confectionery, and energy beverages. These stocks appeal to traders seeking relative performance in volatile markets and investors prioritizing defensive growth with high margins. Recent earnings beats and strategic shifts, such as membership hikes at Costco and salty snacks expansion at Hershey, underscore their positioning amid tariff concerns and commodity pressures. This analysis highlights price behavior, sentiment, and market dynamics for informed relative positioning decisions.
COST Overview and Recent Performance
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) operates a membership-based warehouse club model, generating high-margin fees from 81+ million members while offering bulk goods at low markups. This treasury-hunt merchandising drives rapid inventory turnover and loyalty, with Kirkland Signature private label bolstering profitability. In recent market activity, shares around $998 reflect resilience, up 15.74% YTD despite broader retail pressures. Q2 results showcased 9.1% net sales growth to levels supporting $4.58 EPS, beating estimates, with comparable sales up 7.4% ex-fuel. Membership fee revenue surged 14%, fueled by executive tier penetration. Sentiment benefits from tariff refund potential lowering prices and e-commerce gains, though elevated P/E near 53 signals premium pricing amid expansion plans.
HSY Overview and Recent Performance
The Hershey Company (HSY) dominates confectionery with icons like Reese's and Hershey's, diversifying into salty snacks via acquisitions like Dot's Pretzels. Its business emphasizes brand strength, pricing power, and supply chain efficiency to counter cocoa volatility. Shares near $225 have surged 24.45% YTD, trading at a $45.6 billion market cap with P/E of 51.8. Recent weeks highlight salty snacks up 28%, driving Q4 revenue to $3.09 billion (7% YoY) and adjusted EPS of $1.71, topping forecasts. Analysts raised targets amid resilient demand and 2026 guidance for 4-5% sales growth. Positive momentum stems from innovation pipeline and margin recovery efforts, though commodity costs pose risks.
MNST Overview and Recent Performance
Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) leads energy drinks via Monster Energy, leveraging Coca-Cola distribution for global reach and focusing on zero-sugar variants and international expansion. Growth drivers include flavor innovation and sports drink diversification. Shares at $75.61 command a $74 billion market cap with P/E of 39, but trail YTD at 1.38% following a 9% post-earnings dip. Q4 net sales hit $2.13 billion (up 17.6%), with EPS rising 65% to $0.46 amid 18.9% Monster segment growth. Elevated costs like aluminum and tariffs weighed on sentiment, prompting regional CEO hires for execution. Relative underperformance contrasts strong fundamentals in a high-growth category.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
COST’s membership model offers unmatched stability versus HSY and MNST’s brand-driven consumer products, with retail scale insulating against input volatility but exposing to membership renewal risks. Growth drivers diverge: Costco via warehouse expansion and fees, Hershey through snacks diversification amid cocoa swings, Monster on international energy drink penetration facing tariffs. Recent momentum favors HSY’s YTD surge, while MNST contends with post-earnings pressure. Risk profiles highlight Costco’s low beta steadiness against beverages’ commodity sensitivity. Valuations cluster at premiums—COST highest—tied to staples appeal, with sentiment buoyed by earnings beats yet tempered by macro costs.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI leans toward COST in the current environment, citing superior trend consistency from membership revenue, Q2 earnings stability, and tariff refund catalysts positioning it favorably relative to peers. While HSY shows strong salty snacks momentum and MNST boasts sales growth, Costco’s defensive retail exposure and lower volatility offer probabilistic edge amid uncertainty.
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.
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).
COST’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileHSY’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s), and MNST’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).
- COST’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- HSY’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- MNST’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.
COST’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HSY’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s), and MNST’s TA Score reflects 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- COST’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- HSY’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- MNST’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
COST (@Discount Stores) experienced а +1.73% price change this week, while HSY (@Food: Specialty/Candy) price change was -3.12% , and MNST (@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic) price fluctuated +2.74% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Discount Stores industry was +3.52%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +5.09%, and the average quarterly price growth was +10.18%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Food: Specialty/Candy industry was -5.83%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.82%, and the average quarterly price growth was +0.11%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Beverages: Non-Alcoholic industry was -1.29%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.30%, and the average quarterly price growth was +83822.82%.
Reported Earning Dates
COST is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
HSY is expected to report earnings on Apr 30, 2026.
MNST is expected to report earnings on Apr 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Discount Stores (+3.52% weekly)Companies in the discount stores industry specialize in offering substantial discounts on a vast array of retail products. Some companies in this industry also operate general merchandise warehouse clubs. Products sold at discount stores are typically similar to those of any department store, but the pricing of the goods is generally much lower (and hence the name “discount”). Think Dollar General Corporation, Dollar Tree, Inc. and Five Below, Inc. Many discount stores target low-income households and/or price-sensitive consumers as their potential market. Discount stores’ profitability could hinge on factors like competitive pricing, sufficient locations, healthy revenue per square foot, and effective advertisement. These store operators could have an edge over other retailers during financial crises or recessions, when many consumers could be looking for less expensive alternatives.
@Food: Specialty/Candy (-5.83% 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.
@Beverages: Non-Alcoholic (-1.29% weekly)Non-alcoholic drinks include traces of alcohol or low alcohol content or without alcohol or alcohol removed. Functional Beverages, Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSDs), Sports Drinks, Fruit Beverages, and Bottled Water are some common types of non-alcoholic beverages. The largest segment in this market is soft drinks (think Pepsi and Coke). Many established companies in this space have also been stepping up production of low to zero-calorie varieties in recent years, to cater to a rising number of health-conscious consumers. Coca-Cola Company, Pepsico Inc, Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. and Monster Beverage Corporation are some major non-alcoholic beverage makers.
| COST | HSY | MNST | |
| Capitalization | 443B | 38.8B | 75.5B |
| EBITDA | 14.1B | 1.94B | 2.53B |
| Gain YTD | 15.871 | 5.895 | 0.730 |
| P/E Ratio | 51.89 | 44.11 | 39.81 |
| Revenue | 286B | 11.7B | 8.29B |
| Total Cash | 18.2B | 926M | 2.77B |
| Total Debt | 8.17B | 5.74B | 199M |
COST | HSY | MNST | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 17 | 55 | 69 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 94 Overvalued | 34 Fair valued | 93 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 11 | 72 | 24 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 32 | 46 | 35 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 35 | 59 | 50 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 71 | 7 | 63 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 | 75 |
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.
HSY's Valuation (34) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is somewhat better than the same rating for MNST (93) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for COST (94) in the Specialty Stores industry. This means that HSY's stock grew somewhat faster than MNST’s and somewhat faster than COST’s over the last 12 months.
COST's Profit vs Risk Rating (11) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as MNST (24) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for HSY (72) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry. This means that COST's stock grew similarly to MNST’s and somewhat faster than HSY’s over the last 12 months.
COST's SMR Rating (32) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as MNST (35) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry, and is in the same range as HSY (46) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry. This means that COST's stock grew similarly to MNST’s and similarly to HSY’s over the last 12 months.
COST's Price Growth Rating (35) in the Specialty Stores industry is in the same range as MNST (50) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry, and is in the same range as HSY (59) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry. This means that COST's stock grew similarly to MNST’s and similarly to HSY’s over the last 12 months.
HSY's P/E Growth Rating (7) in the Food Specialty Or Candy industry is somewhat better than the same rating for MNST (63) in the Beverages Non Alcoholic industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for COST (71) in the Specialty Stores industry. This means that HSY's stock grew somewhat faster than MNST’s and somewhat faster than COST’s over the last 12 months.
| COST | HSY | MNST | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 43% | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 79% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 61% | 1 day ago 47% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 52% | N/A | 1 day ago 52% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | N/A | 1 day ago 65% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 58% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 57% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 63% | 13 days ago 64% | 1 day ago 58% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 38% | 6 days ago 56% | 7 days ago 47% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 47% | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 43% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 50% | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 48% |
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MNST and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MNST has been loosely correlated with CCEP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 46% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if MNST jumps, then CCEP could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MNST | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MNST | 100% | +0.66% | ||
| CCEP - MNST | 46% Loosely correlated | -1.52% | ||
| KO - MNST | 43% Loosely correlated | -0.34% | ||
| PEP - MNST | 42% Loosely correlated | -0.43% | ||
| CELH - MNST | 36% Loosely correlated | -4.17% | ||
| KDP - MNST | 31% Poorly correlated | -0.11% | ||
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