ACI vs. HSY: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ACI and HSY, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
HSY’s market capitalization of 35.75 billion USD is significantly greater than ACI’s 12.63 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
With betas of 0.31 for ACI and 0.28 for HSY, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | ACI | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Albertsons Companies, Inc. | The Hershey Company |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Consumer Defensive | Consumer Defensive |
| Industry | Grocery Stores | Food Confectioners |
| CEO | Susan D. Morris | Michele Gross Buck |
| Price | 21.93 USD | 176.47 USD |
| Market Cap | 12.63 billion USD | 35.75 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.31 | 0.28 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | June 26, 2020 | March 17, 1980 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ACI and HSY by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ACI
30.23%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 41.83%
- Q3
- 33.21%
- Median
- 17.57%
- Q1
- 4.85%
- Min
- -1.90%
ACI’s Return on Equity of 30.23% is on par with the norm for the Grocery Stores industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
HSY
37.42%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 37.69%
- Q3
- 37.49%
- Median
- 25.36%
- Q1
- 12.55%
- Min
- 10.29%
HSY’s Return on Equity of 37.42% is on par with the norm for the Food Confectioners industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
ACI
6.91%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 9.72%
- Q3
- 6.86%
- Median
- 5.47%
- Q1
- 3.42%
- Min
- 1.05%
In the upper quartile for the Grocery Stores industry, ACI’s Return on Invested Capital of 6.91% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
HSY
17.71%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 17.71%
- Q3
- 14.38%
- Median
- 9.80%
- Q1
- -20.38%
- Min
- -72.51%
In the upper quartile for the Food Confectioners industry, HSY’s Return on Invested Capital of 17.71% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
ACI
1.19%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 5.53%
- Q3
- 3.00%
- Median
- 1.73%
- Q1
- 1.16%
- Min
- -1.36%
ACI’s Net Profit Margin of 1.19% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Grocery Stores industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
HSY
15.32%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 15.32%
- Q3
- 13.13%
- Median
- 11.66%
- Q1
- 10.66%
- Min
- 9.88%
A Net Profit Margin of 15.32% places HSY in the upper quartile for the Food Confectioners industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
ACI
2.05%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 4.30%
- Q3
- 3.63%
- Median
- 2.32%
- Q1
- 1.32%
- Min
- 0.87%
ACI’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.05% is around the midpoint for the Grocery Stores industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
HSY
21.26%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 21.20%
- Q3
- 17.05%
- Median
- 15.39%
- Q1
- 14.29%
- Min
- 11.79%
HSY’s Operating Profit Margin of 21.26% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Food Confectioners industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ACI | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 30.23% | 37.42% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.58% | 11.80% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 6.91% | 17.71% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.19% | 15.32% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.05% | 21.26% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.06% | 42.91% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ACI
0.90
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 1.25
- Q3
- 1.20
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.90
ACI’s Current Ratio of 0.90 falls into the lower quartile for the Grocery Stores industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
HSY
1.59
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 1.59
- Q3
- 1.20
- Median
- 0.80
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.61
HSY’s Current Ratio of 1.59 is in the upper quartile for the Food Confectioners industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ACI
4.19
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 4.19
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.12
ACI’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Grocery Stores industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.19. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
HSY
1.34
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 1.59
- Q3
- 1.40
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.01
HSY’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.34 is typical for the Food Confectioners industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ACI
3.59
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 24.50
- Q3
- 16.36
- Median
- 5.08
- Q1
- 3.73
- Min
- -0.63
In the lower quartile for the Grocery Stores industry, ACI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.59 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
HSY
12.63
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 12.63
- Q3
- 11.88
- Median
- 11.13
- Q1
- 8.85
- Min
- 6.56
HSY’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.63 is in the upper quartile for the Food Confectioners industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ACI | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 0.90 | 1.59 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.22 | 1.11 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 4.19 | 1.34 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.53 | 0.45 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 3.97 | 1.91 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.59 | 12.63 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ACI and HSY. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ACI
2.46%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.38%
- Median
- 1.48%
- Q1
- 0.26%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.46%, ACI offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Grocery Stores industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
HSY
3.11%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 3.28%
- Q3
- 2.98%
- Median
- 2.80%
- Q1
- 2.16%
- Min
- 0.53%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.11%, HSY offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Food Confectioners industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ACI
30.78%
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 4,966.68%
- Q3
- 30.78%
- Median
- 24.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ACI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.78% is within the typical range for the Grocery Stores industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
HSY
65.72%
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 66.48%
- Q3
- 65.91%
- Median
- 61.19%
- Q1
- 49.66%
- Min
- 28.65%
HSY’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 65.72% is within the typical range for the Food Confectioners industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ACI | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.46% | 3.11% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 30.78% | 65.72% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ACI
13.26
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 35.78
- Q3
- 21.80
- Median
- 18.09
- Q1
- 11.47
- Min
- 8.82
ACI’s P/E Ratio of 13.26 is within the middle range for the Grocery Stores industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
HSY
21.71
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 27.38
- Q3
- 25.74
- Median
- 22.87
- Q1
- 20.36
- Min
- 19.81
HSY’s P/E Ratio of 21.71 is within the middle range for the Food Confectioners industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ACI
17.35
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 4.43
- Q3
- 3.62
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.83
- Min
- 0.05
ACI’s Forward PEG Ratio of 17.35 is exceptionally high for the Grocery Stores industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
HSY
2.05
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 11.13
- Q3
- 8.03
- Median
- 4.93
- Q1
- 2.65
- Min
- 1.94
In the lower quartile for the Food Confectioners industry, HSY’s Forward PEG Ratio of 2.05 is a positive indicator. It suggests that the stock may be attractively valued relative to its expected earnings growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ACI
0.16
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 0.69
- Q3
- 0.45
- Median
- 0.28
- Q1
- 0.22
- Min
- 0.14
In the lower quartile for the Grocery Stores industry, ACI’s P/S Ratio of 0.16 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
HSY
3.32
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 4.07
- Q3
- 3.38
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 2.35
- Min
- 2.17
HSY’s P/S Ratio of 3.32 aligns with the market consensus for the Food Confectioners industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ACI
3.75
Grocery Stores Industry
- Max
- 5.54
- Q3
- 4.47
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.41
ACI’s P/B Ratio of 3.75 is within the conventional range for the Grocery Stores industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
HSY
7.64
Food Confectioners Industry
- Max
- 7.23
- Q3
- 7.04
- Median
- 5.25
- Q1
- 3.33
- Min
- 2.77
At 7.64, HSY’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Food Confectioners industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ACI | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 13.26 | 21.71 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 17.35 | 2.05 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 0.16 | 3.32 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 3.75 | 7.64 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 16.85 | 19.63 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 7.58 | 16.24 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 0.33 | 3.77 |