HSY vs. KR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at HSY and KR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Hershey Company | The Kroger Co. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Food Products | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 36.44 billion USD | 43.76 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of HSY and KR 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 | KR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 6.09% | 3.52% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 0.68% | -4.28% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 9.74% | -1.16% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -2.85% | 11.97% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.64% | 4.84% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 5.82% | 9.09% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.00M | 5.87M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.62M | 6.77M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.84% | 20.71% |
| Beta | 0.17 | 0.58 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
HSY
29.44%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 30.51%
- Q3
- 16.47%
- Median
- 10.51%
- Q1
- 7.01%
- Min
- -1.37%
In the upper quartile for the Food Products industry, HSY’s Return on Equity of 29.44% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
KR
27.70%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 38.03%
- Q3
- 20.64%
- Median
- 13.48%
- Q1
- 6.46%
- Min
- -9.87%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, KR’s Return on Equity of 27.70% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
HSY
11.84%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 15.24%
- Q3
- 9.30%
- Median
- 6.45%
- Q1
- 3.54%
- Min
- -1.56%
A Net Profit Margin of 11.84% places HSY in the upper quartile for the Food Products industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
KR
1.86%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.41%
- Q3
- 3.85%
- Median
- 2.53%
- Q1
- 1.66%
- Min
- -0.70%
KR’s Net Profit Margin of 1.86% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
HSY
16.85%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 24.83%
- Q3
- 14.27%
- Median
- 9.47%
- Q1
- 5.68%
- Min
- 0.39%
An Operating Profit Margin of 16.85% 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.
KR
2.72%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.53%
- Median
- 3.90%
- Q1
- 2.53%
- Min
- -0.11%
KR’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.72% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 29.44% | 27.70% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.05% | 4.92% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.84% | 1.86% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.85% | 2.72% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 37.74% | 23.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
HSY
1.36
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 4.14
- Q3
- 2.43
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.57
HSY’s Current Ratio of 1.36 aligns with the median group of the Food Products industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
KR
0.95
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.52
KR’s Current Ratio of 0.95 aligns with the median group of the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
HSY
1.18
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 1.84
- Q3
- 0.91
- Median
- 0.50
- 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 1.18. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
KR
1.93
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.58
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 1.07
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
KR’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.93. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
HSY
15.93
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 70.39
- Q3
- 32.08
- Median
- 9.51
- Q1
- 4.71
- 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.
KR
6.59
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 5.55
- Q1
- 2.86
- Min
- -5.51
KR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.59 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.36 | 0.95 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 0.49 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.18 | 1.93 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 15.93 | 6.59 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
HSY
2.98%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 8.11%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 2.72%
- Q1
- 1.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
HSY’s Dividend Yield of 2.98% is consistent with its peers in the Food Products industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
KR
2.02%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.30%
- Q3
- 3.28%
- Median
- 1.64%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
KR’s Dividend Yield of 2.02% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
HSY
79.75%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 206.40%
- Q3
- 114.83%
- Median
- 77.75%
- Q1
- 44.21%
- Min
- 0.00%
HSY’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 79.75% is within the typical range for the Food Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
KR
32.45%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 188.48%
- Q3
- 100.66%
- Median
- 57.10%
- Q1
- 29.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
KR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.45% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.98% | 2.02% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.75% | 32.45% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
HSY
26.72
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 44.72
- Q3
- 26.73
- Median
- 17.87
- Q1
- 12.82
- Min
- 2.90
HSY’s P/E Ratio of 26.72 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.
KR
16.10
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 50.51
- Q3
- 32.01
- Median
- 21.81
- Q1
- 16.98
- Min
- 4.41
In the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, KR’s P/E Ratio of 16.10 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
HSY
3.16
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.24
- Q3
- 1.88
- Median
- 1.05
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.16
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.
KR
0.30
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.38
- Min
- 0.06
In the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, KR’s P/S Ratio of 0.30 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
HSY
8.18
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 4.92
- Q3
- 2.92
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 1.27
- Min
- 0.47
At 8.18, 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.
KR
4.97
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 8.68
- Q3
- 4.65
- Median
- 2.72
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- 0.46
KR’s P/B Ratio of 4.97 is in the upper tier for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.72 | 16.10 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.16 | 0.30 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 8.18 | 4.97 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.03 | 19.60 |