HSY vs. MO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at HSY and MO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | HSY | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Hershey Company | Altria Group, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Food Products | Tobacco |
| Market Capitalization | 36.81 billion USD | 113.53 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 MO 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 | MO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.74% | 3.10% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 15.99% | 13.64% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 12.92% | 26.04% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -7.90% | 31.68% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.44% | 9.11% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 7.23% | 29.24% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.60M | 8.12M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.74M | 8.64M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 29.50% | 17.70% |
| Beta | 0.25 | 0.59 |
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.
MO
149.65%
Tobacco Industry
- Max
- 49.48%
- Q3
- 49.48%
- Median
- 7.92%
- Q1
- 5.28%
- Min
- 4.04%
MO’s Return on Equity of 149.65% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Tobacco 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)
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.
MO
37.24%
Tobacco Industry
- Max
- 21.36%
- Q3
- 18.49%
- Median
- 11.05%
- Q1
- 6.80%
- Min
- 5.37%
MO’s Net Profit Margin of 37.24% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Tobacco industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
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.
MO
46.84%
Tobacco Industry
- Max
- 14.35%
- Q3
- 12.68%
- Median
- 11.00%
- Q1
- 10.58%
- Min
- 10.58%
MO’s Operating Profit Margin of 46.84% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Tobacco 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 | HSY | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 33.77% | 149.65% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.51% | 25.57% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.54% | 37.24% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.28% | 46.84% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 40.13% | 61.41% |
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.
MO
0.39
Tobacco Industry
- Max
- 3.20
- Q3
- 1.83
- Median
- 0.83
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.57
MO’s Current Ratio of 0.39 is notably low, falling beneath the typical range for the Tobacco industry. This suggests a heightened liquidity risk and could indicate potential challenges in meeting its short-term obligations.
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.
MO
8.67
Tobacco Industry
- Max
- 2.19
- Q3
- 2.19
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.26
- Min
- 0.01
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 8.67, MO operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Tobacco industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
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.
MO
36.48
Tobacco Industry
- Max
- 36.48
- Q3
- 28.54
- Median
- 7.02
- Q1
- 6.32
- Min
- -11.45
MO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 36.48 is in the upper quartile for the Tobacco industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | HSY | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.53 | 0.39 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.85 | 0.24 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.25 | 8.67 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 15.93 | 36.48 |
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.
MO
6.07%
Tobacco Industry
- Max
- 6.71%
- Q3
- 6.06%
- Median
- 5.48%
- Q1
- 3.91%
- Min
- 3.27%
With a Dividend Yield of 6.07%, MO offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Tobacco 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.
MO
78.29%
Tobacco Industry
- Max
- 77.64%
- Q3
- 76.55%
- Median
- 50.14%
- Q1
- 47.08%
- Min
- 42.39%
At 78.29%, MO’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Tobacco industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | HSY | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.92% | 6.07% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 70.84% | 78.29% |
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.
MO
12.90
Tobacco Industry
- Max
- 42.16
- Q3
- 36.45
- Median
- 20.93
- Q1
- 10.52
- Min
- 9.15
MO’s P/E Ratio of 12.90 is within the middle range for the Tobacco 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)
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.
MO
4.80
Tobacco Industry
- Max
- 10.48
- Q3
- 5.39
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.59
MO’s P/S Ratio of 4.80 aligns with the market consensus for the Tobacco 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.
MO
27.09
Tobacco Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 4.76
- Median
- 2.18
- Q1
- 1.70
- Min
- 1.06
At 27.09, MO’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Tobacco 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 | HSY | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 24.29 | 12.90 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.29 | 4.80 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.45 | 27.09 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.41 | 12.98 |