The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) vs The Hershey Company (HSY)

A side-by-side comparison of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and The Hershey Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnEL vs HSY

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
EL +26.3% (+2.4%/yr)HSY +125.2% (+8.5%/yr)HSY compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$126$225
EL HSY

EL vs HSY: by the numbers

  • HSY is the larger company ($34.29B vs $33.95B market cap).
  • HSY trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.10 vs 187.74 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • HSY converts more revenue to profit (12.24% vs 1.21% net margin).
  • HSY grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.31% vs -1.48% CAGR).
  • HSY pays the higher dividend yield (3.30% vs 1.44%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricELHSY
P/E ratio187.7423.10
Forward P/EN/A19.91
P/S ratio2.262.82
P/B ratio8.927.52
EV / EBITDA25.2514.68
FCF yield3.88%5.65%

Profitability

MetricELHSY
Gross margin75.50%38.11%
Operating margin5.18%17.58%
Net margin1.21%12.24%
ROE4.78%32.64%
ROIC2.97%15.00%

Dividends

MetricELHSY
Dividend yield1.44%3.30%
Payout ratio280.00%78.22%

Growth (annualized)

MetricELHSY
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-1.48%7.31%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-42.44%-6.67%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-15.16%9.19%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-20.75%2.35%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, EL or HSY?
HSY has the lower trailing P/E: EL trades at 187.74 and HSY at 23.10. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, EL or HSY?
Over the past five years, HSY grew revenue faster — EL at a -1.48% CAGR versus HSY at 7.31%.
Does EL or HSY pay a bigger dividend?
EL yields 1.44% and HSY yields 3.30% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is EL or HSY more profitable?
HSY runs the higher net margin — EL at 1.21% versus HSY at 12.24%.
How have EL and HSY total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, EL delivered 2.34% and HSY delivered 8.66% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 13, 2026.