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.
EL
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
$93.87Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 2:15 PM EDT
HSY
The Hershey Company
$169.10Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 2:15 PM EDT
Total return — EL vs HSY
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yEL +26.3% (+2.4%/yr)HSY +125.2% (+8.5%/yr)HSY compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | EL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 187.74 | 23.10 |
| Forward P/E | N/A | 19.91 |
| P/S ratio | 2.26 | 2.82 |
| P/B ratio | 8.92 | 7.52 |
| EV / EBITDA | 25.25 | 14.68 |
| FCF yield | 3.88% | 5.65% |
Profitability
| Metric | EL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 75.50% | 38.11% |
| Operating margin | 5.18% | 17.58% |
| Net margin | 1.21% | 12.24% |
| ROE | 4.78% | 32.64% |
| ROIC | 2.97% | 15.00% |
Dividends
| Metric | EL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.44% | 3.30% |
| Payout ratio | 280.00% | 78.22% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | EL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Estée Lauder Companies P/E ratioHershey P/E ratioEstée Lauder Companies dividend yieldHershey dividend yieldEstée Lauder Companies ROEHershey ROEEstée Lauder Companies operating marginHershey operating marginEstée Lauder Companies revenue growthHershey revenue growthEstée Lauder Companies free cash flowHershey free cash flow
Estée Lauder Companies & Hershey appear in these rankings
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.