Hershey's gross margin recovered from 31.6% in 2025Q3 to 46.1% in 2026Q3, and operating margin reached 25.0%, suggesting pricing and cost relief have driven a sharp earnings recovery.
Price trend, volume and key moving averages
Start with the evidence for owning the stock and the risks that can break the thesis.
Revenue growth has decelerated to 3.0% year-over-year in 2026Q3 while gross margin rebounded to 46.1% and operating margin to 25.0%, a pattern that suggests recent profitability gains are heavily dependent on pricing and cost relief that warrants verification.
The Hershey Company reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, including mid-single-digit net and organic sales growth and very large reported earnings per share growth.
The company has strong market share and pricing power, which supports its margins and long-term growth.
Hershey is refreshing its sustainability approach to align with a growing salty snacks portfolio and tighter regulatory expectations.
Trailing total returns as of 11/8/2026, which may include dividends or other distributions. Benchmark is S&P 500 (^GSPC).
Check whether operating performance supports the current valuation.
Recent results and news deserve attention only when they alter the forward view.
| Quarter | EPS (Act vs Est) | Revenue (Act vs Est) |
|---|---|---|
Q4 2026Latest Oct 29, 2026 | $2.64+25.1% vs $2.11 | $3.3B+0.8% vs $3.2B |
Q3 2026 Jul 30, 2026 | $1.90+32.9% vs $1.43 | $2.8B+5.8% vs $2.6B |
Q2 2026 Apr 30, 2026 | $2.35+15.2% vs $2.04 | $3.1B+2.5% vs $3.0B |
Q1 2026 Feb 5, 2026 | $1.71+22.1% vs $1.40 | $3.1B+3.7% vs $3.0B |
Hershey maintains a dominant position in the North American confectionery market with a high concentration of domestic manufacturing. Coca-Cola leverages a vast global distribution network through independent bottling partners to maintain industry-leading profitability.
After reaching an important support level, Hershey (HSY) could be a good stock pick from a technical perspective. HSY surpassed resistance at the 50-day moving average, suggesting a short-term bullish trend.
The season's favorite brands return with new festive treats, beloved characters and salty additions to make holiday moments even more magical HERSHEY, Pa., Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From the first candy dish set out for the season to the last stocking filled, The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is bringing a little more magic to every holiday moment.
Colgate-Palmolive's trailing-12-month revenue grew about 6% to $21 billion, with $3.8 billion in free cash flow. Hershey's revenue rose 6.7% to $12.2 billion, and it trades at a lower forward P/E than Colgate.
Benchmark HSY against direct peers instead of judging its metrics in isolation.
Key metrics vs top competitors for The Hershey Company (HSY)
| Company | Price | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | Rev Growth (1Y) | Net Margin | ROE | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $178.08 | $36.12B | 20.03 | 4.38% | 14.63% | 38.14% | 3% | |
| $66.02 | $84.26B | 20.72 | 5.75% | 10.22% | 15.53% | 2.9% | |
| $38.97 | $2.93B | 35.12 | 1.29% | 11.36% | 8.76% | 0.92% | |
| $0.83 | $7.83M | -1.30 | -7.04% | -22.25% | -130.9% | — | |
| $48.40 | $13.01B | 8.75 | 1.73% | 19.39% | 20.93% | 3.7% | |
| $35.51 | $18.95B | -21.35 | -5.45% | -4.89% | -10.67% | 6.77% |
The Hershey Company (HSY) vs competitors — business, growth, and fundamentals comparison against the closest industry rivals.
Verify the primary filings, follow material updates, and answer the remaining questions.
The Hershey Company (HSY) SEC filings — annual & quarterly reports (10-K, 10-Q)
Oct 29, 2026·SEC
Jul 30, 2026·SEC
Jun 9, 2026·SEC
Feb 17, 2026·SEC
Get notified when HSY posts new earnings or crosses analyst targets
Free. No account needed. Unsubscribe any time.
The Hershey Company (HSY) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained
The Hershey Company (HSY) reported $12.26B in revenue over the trailing twelve months. Revenue was $11.69B in fiscal year 2025. That is 193% more than the $3.99B of fiscal year 1996.
The Hershey Company (HSY) grew revenue by 6.7% over the trailing twelve months, compared with the twelve months before.
Yes. The Hershey Company (HSY) earned $1.79B in net income over the trailing twelve months (a 14.6% net margin).
Yes. The Hershey Company (HSY) pays a dividend that yields 3.00% at the current price, a moderate yield.
The Hershey Company (HSY) had a return on equity (ROE) of 38.1% over the trailing twelve months. That is well above the market's typical 10-15%.
The Hershey Company (HSY) generated $2.35B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months.
