The Hershey Company (HSY) vs Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB)

KMB leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of The Hershey Company and Kimberly-Clark Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — HSY vs KMB

growth of $100 · last 30y
HSY +937.6%KMB +202.7%HSY compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,038$303
HSY KMB

HSY vs KMB: by the numbers

  • HSY is the larger company ($37.02B vs $34.61B market cap).
  • KMB trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.37 vs 33.99 P/E).
  • KMB converts more revenue to profit (12.81% vs 9.12% net margin).
  • HSY grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.65% vs -2.61% CAGR).
  • KMB pays the higher dividend yield (4.87% vs 3.09%).

Which is better, HSY or KMB?

Metric tally: HSY 5 · KMB 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueKMB(lower P/E)
GrowthHSY(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKMB(higher dividend yield)
QualityKMB(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricHSYKMB
P/E ratio33.9916.37
Forward P/E18.2713.76
P/S ratio3.112.10
P/B ratio7.8819.35
EV / EBITDA19.2513.48
FCF yield5.82%7.42%

Profitability

MetricHSYKMB
Gross margin34.76%35.86%
Operating margin14.08%13.27%
Net margin9.12%12.81%
ROE23.11%117.98%
ROIC9.00%17.41%

Dividends

MetricHSYKMB
Dividend yield3.09%4.87%
Payout ratio128.27%83.55%

Growth (annualized)

MetricHSYKMB
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.65%-2.61%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-6.42%-2.50%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.95%3.38%
Total return CAGR (5Y)3.64%-0.43%

Frequently asked

Which is better, HSY or KMB?
It depends on your goal. value: KMB (lower P/E); growth: HSY (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KMB (higher dividend yield); quality: KMB (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, KMB leads 11 to 5.
Is HSY or KMB cheaper?
On trailing earnings, KMB is cheaper: HSY trades at a 33.99 P/E and KMB at 16.37.
Which has grown faster, HSY or KMB?
Over the past five years, HSY grew revenue faster — HSY at a 7.65% CAGR versus KMB at -2.61%.
Does HSY or KMB pay a bigger dividend?
HSY yields 3.09% and KMB yields 4.87% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is HSY or KMB more profitable?
KMB runs the higher net margin — HSY at 9.12% versus KMB at 12.81%.
Which has been the better investment, HSY or KMB?
Over the past 10-year, HSY delivered the higher annualized total return — HSY at 9.14% versus KMB at 1.08%. 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 17, 2026.