HRL vs. HSY: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at HRL and HSY, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | HRL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Hormel Foods Corporation | The Hershey Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Food Products | Food Products |
| Market Capitalization | 13.64 billion USD | 38.13 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of HRL 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 | HRL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.12% | -2.01% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -18.21% | 12.71% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -16.36% | 11.00% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -22.01% | -3.26% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.75% | 1.80% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -21.13% | 10.45% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.33M | 1.52M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.72M | 1.65M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 32.20% | 28.95% |
| Beta | 0.30 | 0.24 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
HRL
9.39%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 30.51%
- Q3
- 16.54%
- Median
- 10.46%
- Q1
- 6.76%
- Min
- -2.18%
HRL’s Return on Equity of 9.39% is on par with the norm for the Food Products industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
HSY
33.77%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 30.51%
- Q3
- 16.54%
- Median
- 10.46%
- Q1
- 6.76%
- Min
- -2.18%
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)
HRL
6.26%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 18.44%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 6.29%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -0.80%
HRL’s Net Profit Margin of 6.26% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Food Products industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
HSY
13.54%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 18.44%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 6.29%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -0.80%
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)
HRL
8.38%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 24.83%
- Q3
- 14.29%
- Median
- 9.64%
- Q1
- 6.11%
- Min
- 0.08%
HRL’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.38% is around the midpoint for the Food Products industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
HSY
18.28%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 24.83%
- Q3
- 14.29%
- Median
- 9.64%
- Q1
- 6.11%
- Min
- 0.08%
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 | HRL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.39% | 33.77% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.61% | 11.51% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.26% | 13.54% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.38% | 18.28% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.35% | 40.13% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
HRL
2.47
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.99
- Q3
- 2.39
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.23
- Min
- 0.57
HRL’s Current Ratio of 2.47 is in the upper quartile for the Food Products industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
HSY
1.53
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.99
- Q3
- 2.39
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.23
- Min
- 0.57
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)
HRL
0.35
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 1.92
- Q3
- 0.92
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.25
- Min
- 0.00
HRL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.35 is typical for the Food Products industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
HSY
1.25
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 1.92
- Q3
- 0.92
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.25
- 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)
HRL
65.06
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 65.06
- Q3
- 29.45
- Median
- 9.43
- Q1
- 4.70
- Min
- -1.69
HRL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 65.06 is in the upper quartile for the Food Products industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
HSY
15.93
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 65.06
- Q3
- 29.45
- Median
- 9.43
- Q1
- 4.70
- 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 | HRL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.47 | 1.53 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.07 | 0.85 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.35 | 1.25 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 65.06 | 15.93 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
HRL
4.61%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 8.09%
- Q3
- 4.48%
- Median
- 2.69%
- Q1
- 1.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 4.61%, HRL offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Food Products industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
HSY
2.88%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 8.09%
- Q3
- 4.48%
- Median
- 2.69%
- Q1
- 1.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
HSY’s Dividend Yield of 2.88% is consistent with its peers in the Food Products industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
HRL
83.32%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 216.00%
- Q3
- 112.15%
- Median
- 72.83%
- Q1
- 41.56%
- Min
- 0.00%
HRL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 83.32% is within the typical range for the Food Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
HSY
70.84%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 216.00%
- Q3
- 112.15%
- Median
- 72.83%
- Q1
- 41.56%
- 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 | HRL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 4.61% | 2.88% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 83.32% | 70.84% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
HRL
18.09
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 41.70
- Q3
- 24.61
- Median
- 17.81
- Q1
- 12.59
- Min
- 3.07
HRL’s P/E Ratio of 18.09 is within the middle range for the Food Products 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
24.61
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 41.70
- Q3
- 24.61
- Median
- 17.81
- Q1
- 12.59
- Min
- 3.07
HSY’s P/E Ratio of 24.61 is within the middle range for the Food Products industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
HRL
1.13
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.33
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.11
HRL’s P/S Ratio of 1.13 aligns with the market consensus for the Food Products industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
HSY
3.33
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.33
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.11
With a P/S Ratio of 3.33, HSY trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Food Products industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
HRL
1.94
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 5.01
- Q3
- 2.98
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.47
HRL’s P/B Ratio of 1.94 is within the conventional range for the Food Products 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
7.45
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 5.01
- Q3
- 2.98
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.47
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 | HRL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 18.09 | 24.61 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.13 | 3.33 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.94 | 7.45 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 21.11 | 20.68 |