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).
HSY
The Hershey Company
$182.52Consumer Defensive
KMB
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
$104.28Consumer Defensive
Total return — HSY vs KMB
growth of $100 · last 30yHSY +937.6%KMB +202.7%HSY compounded faster
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 11It 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
| Metric | HSY | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 33.99 | 16.37● |
| Forward P/E | 18.27 | 13.76● |
| P/S ratio | 3.11 | 2.10● |
| P/B ratio | 7.88● | 19.35 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.25 | 13.48● |
| FCF yield | 5.82% | 7.42%● |
Profitability
| Metric | HSY | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 34.76% | 35.86%● |
| Operating margin | 14.08%● | 13.27% |
| Net margin | 9.12% | 12.81%● |
| ROE | 23.11% | 117.98%● |
| ROIC | 9.00% | 17.41%● |
Dividends
| Metric | HSY | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.09% | 4.87%● |
| Payout ratio | 128.27% | 83.55% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | HSY | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Hershey P/E ratioKimberly-Clark P/E ratioHershey dividend yieldKimberly-Clark dividend yieldHershey ROEKimberly-Clark ROEHershey operating marginKimberly-Clark operating marginHershey revenue growthKimberly-Clark revenue growthHershey free cash flowKimberly-Clark free cash flow
Hershey & Kimberly-Clark 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 June 17, 2026.