EL vs. HSY: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EL and HSY, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | EL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. | The Hershey Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Personal Care Products | Food Products |
| Market Capitalization | 34.27 billion USD | 36.50 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 17, 1995 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EL 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | EL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.43% | -3.97% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 45.75% | 7.45% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 48.24% | 18.20% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 10.51% | -9.37% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.06% | -3.26% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 27.05% | 6.32% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.88M | 1.72M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.20M | 1.78M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 44.30% | 30.92% |
| Beta | 1.16 | 0.25 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
EL
-18.42%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 31.59%
- Q3
- 20.42%
- Median
- 11.01%
- Q1
- 3.26%
- Min
- -18.42%
EL has a negative Return on Equity of -18.42%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
HSY
33.77%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 27.15%
- Q3
- 15.66%
- Median
- 10.47%
- Q1
- 7.82%
- Min
- -2.46%
HSY’s Return on Equity of 33.77% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Food Products industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
EL
-5.89%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 15.12%
- Q3
- 12.06%
- Median
- 9.26%
- Q1
- 5.50%
- Min
- -0.40%
EL has a negative Net Profit Margin of -5.89%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
HSY
13.54%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 18.44%
- Q3
- 9.92%
- Median
- 6.38%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -0.92%
A Net Profit Margin of 13.54% places HSY in the upper quartile for the Food Products industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
EL
-4.25%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 19.80%
- Q3
- 17.96%
- Median
- 13.14%
- Q1
- 7.58%
- Min
- -4.25%
EL has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -4.25%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
HSY
18.28%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 24.83%
- Q3
- 14.27%
- Median
- 9.73%
- Q1
- 6.26%
- Min
- -0.10%
An Operating Profit Margin of 18.28% places HSY in the upper quartile for the Food Products industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | EL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -18.42% | 33.77% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -4.22% | 11.51% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -5.89% | 13.54% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.25% | 18.28% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 73.85% | 40.13% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
EL
1.41
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 4.26
- Q3
- 2.61
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.76
EL’s Current Ratio of 1.41 aligns with the median group of the Personal Care Products industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
HSY
1.53
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.40
- Median
- 1.61
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.55
HSY’s Current Ratio of 1.53 aligns with the median group of the Food Products industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
EL
1.68
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 1.13
- Q3
- 0.63
- Median
- 0.26
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.68, EL operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Personal Care Products industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
HSY
1.25
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 1.87
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.48
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
HSY’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Food Products industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.25. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
EL
4.66
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 96.53
- Q3
- 59.91
- Median
- 22.25
- Q1
- 7.85
- Min
- -1.93
In the lower quartile for the Personal Care Products industry, EL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.66 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
HSY
15.93
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 70.39
- Q3
- 32.08
- Median
- 9.51
- Q1
- 4.55
- Min
- -1.69
HSY’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 15.93 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Food Products industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | EL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.41 | 1.53 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.89 | 0.85 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.68 | 1.25 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.66 | 15.93 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EL
2.19%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 4.08%
- Q3
- 2.46%
- Median
- 1.82%
- Q1
- 0.83%
- Min
- 0.00%
EL’s Dividend Yield of 2.19% is consistent with its peers in the Personal Care Products industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
HSY
3.04%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 7.43%
- Q3
- 4.12%
- Median
- 2.67%
- Q1
- 1.57%
- Min
- 0.00%
HSY’s Dividend Yield of 3.04% is consistent with its peers in the Food Products industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
EL
79.25%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 207.61%
- Q3
- 115.17%
- Median
- 69.37%
- Q1
- 47.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
EL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 79.25% is within the typical range for the Personal Care Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
HSY
70.84%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 202.50%
- Q3
- 109.53%
- Median
- 67.28%
- Q1
- 39.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
HSY’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 70.84% is within the typical range for the Food Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | EL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.19% | 3.04% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.25% | 70.84% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
EL
--
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 55.49
- Q3
- 36.75
- Median
- 26.49
- Q1
- 22.40
- Min
- 11.12
P/E Ratio data for EL is currently unavailable.
HSY
23.29
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 35.81
- Q3
- 22.88
- Median
- 17.13
- Q1
- 13.91
- Min
- 2.77
A P/E Ratio of 23.29 places HSY in the upper quartile for the Food Products industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
EL
2.25
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 5.35
- Q3
- 2.83
- Median
- 2.07
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.00
EL’s P/S Ratio of 2.25 aligns with the market consensus for the Personal Care Products industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
HSY
3.16
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.63
- Q3
- 1.86
- Median
- 1.14
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.12
HSY’s P/S Ratio of 3.16 is in the upper echelon for the Food Products industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
EL
5.46
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 7.32
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 2.93
- Q1
- 1.84
- Min
- 1.14
EL’s P/B Ratio of 5.46 is in the upper tier for the Personal Care Products industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
HSY
7.45
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 5.01
- Q3
- 2.76
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.52
At 7.45, HSY’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Food Products 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 | EL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 23.29 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.25 | 3.16 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.46 | 7.45 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 18.94 | 19.57 |