HSY vs. KHC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at HSY and KHC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | HSY | KHC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Hershey Company | The Kraft Heinz Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Food Products | Food Products |
| Market Capitalization | 36.78 billion USD | 32.45 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | July 6, 2015 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of HSY and KHC 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 | HSY | KHC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.70% | -0.83% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 19.92% | -1.65% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 11.31% | -6.26% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -8.12% | -22.45% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.53% | -0.15% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 7.13% | -10.71% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.47M | 10.70M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.73M | 13.33M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 29.51% | 24.45% |
| Beta | 0.25 | 0.15 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
KHC
-11.20%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 27.15%
- Q3
- 15.66%
- Median
- 10.47%
- Q1
- 7.82%
- Min
- -2.46%
KHC has a negative Return on Equity of -11.20%. 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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
KHC
-20.83%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 18.44%
- Q3
- 9.92%
- Median
- 6.38%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -0.92%
KHC has a negative Net Profit Margin of -20.83%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
KHC
-27.34%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 24.83%
- Q3
- 14.27%
- Median
- 9.73%
- Q1
- 6.26%
- Min
- -0.10%
KHC has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -27.34%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | HSY | KHC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 33.77% | -11.20% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.51% | -6.05% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.54% | -20.83% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.28% | -27.34% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 40.13% | 34.31% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
KHC
1.07
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.40
- Median
- 1.61
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.55
KHC’s Current Ratio of 1.07 falls into the lower quartile for the Food Products industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
KHC
0.51
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 1.87
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.48
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
KHC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.51 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
KHC
1.99
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 70.39
- Q3
- 32.08
- Median
- 9.51
- Q1
- 4.55
- Min
- -1.69
In the lower quartile for the Food Products industry, KHC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.99 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | HSY | KHC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.53 | 1.07 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.85 | 0.63 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.25 | 0.51 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 15.93 | 1.99 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
HSY
2.92%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 7.43%
- Q3
- 4.12%
- Median
- 2.67%
- Q1
- 1.57%
- Min
- 0.00%
HSY’s Dividend Yield of 2.92% is consistent with its peers in the Food Products industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
KHC
5.88%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 7.43%
- Q3
- 4.12%
- Median
- 2.67%
- Q1
- 1.57%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 5.88%, KHC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Food Products industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
KHC
48.86%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 202.50%
- Q3
- 109.53%
- Median
- 67.28%
- Q1
- 39.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
KHC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 48.86% 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 | HSY | KHC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.92% | 5.88% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 70.84% | 48.86% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
HSY
24.29
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 35.81
- Q3
- 22.88
- Median
- 17.13
- Q1
- 13.91
- Min
- 2.77
A P/E Ratio of 24.29 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.
KHC
--
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 35.81
- Q3
- 22.88
- Median
- 17.13
- Q1
- 13.91
- Min
- 2.77
P/E Ratio data for KHC is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
HSY
3.29
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.63
- Q3
- 1.86
- Median
- 1.14
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.12
HSY’s P/S Ratio of 3.29 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.
KHC
1.28
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.63
- Q3
- 1.86
- Median
- 1.14
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.12
KHC’s P/S Ratio of 1.28 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
KHC
0.74
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 5.01
- Q3
- 2.76
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.52
KHC’s P/B Ratio of 0.74 is in the lower quartile for the Food Products industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | HSY | KHC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 24.29 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.29 | 1.28 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.45 | 0.74 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.41 | 9.31 |