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

HSY leads on 13 of 15 compared metrics.

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 June 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — EL vs HSY

growth of $100 · last 30y
EL +795.6%HSY +879.2%HSY compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $100200120062011201620212026$896$979
EL HSY

EL vs HSY: by the numbers

  • HSY is the larger company ($35.02B vs $30.67B market cap).
  • HSY is profitable (9.12% net margin) while EL runs a net loss (-1.67%).
  • HSY grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.65% vs 0.17% CAGR).
  • HSY pays the higher dividend yield (3.27% vs 1.65%).

Which is better, EL or HSY?

Metric tally: EL 2 · HSY 13

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthHSY(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeHSY(higher dividend yield)
QualityHSY(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricELHSY
P/E ratio32.15
Forward P/E26.6317.28
P/S ratio2.092.94
P/B ratio7.767.45
EV / EBITDA27.6918.32
FCF yield4.15%6.15%

Profitability

MetricELHSY
Gross margin73.40%34.76%
Operating margin7.56%14.08%
Net margin-1.67%9.12%
ROE-6.21%23.11%
ROIC6.44%9.00%

Dividends

MetricELHSY
Dividend yield1.65%3.27%
Payout ratio128.27%

Growth (annualized)

MetricELHSY
Revenue CAGR (5Y)0.17%7.65%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-25.98%-6.42%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-12.95%10.95%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-20.94%2.76%

Frequently asked

Which is better, EL or HSY?
It depends on your goal. growth: HSY (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: HSY (higher dividend yield); quality: HSY (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, HSY leads 13 to 2.
Which has grown faster, EL or HSY?
Over the past five years, HSY grew revenue faster — EL at a 0.17% CAGR versus HSY at 7.65%.
Does EL or HSY pay a bigger dividend?
EL yields 1.65% and HSY yields 3.27% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is EL or HSY more profitable?
HSY runs the higher net margin — EL at -1.67% versus HSY at 9.12%.
Which has been the better investment, EL or HSY?
Over the past 10-year, HSY delivered the higher annualized total return — EL at 0.47% versus HSY at 8.49%. 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 June 20, 2026.