The Hershey Company (HSY) vs The Kroger Co. (KR)
HSY leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of The Hershey Company and The Kroger Co. 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
KR
The Kroger Co.
$64.06Consumer Defensive
Total return — HSY vs KR
growth of $100 · last 30yHSY +937.6%KR +1220.6%KR compounded faster
HSY KR
HSY vs KR: by the numbers
- •KR is the larger company ($39.54B vs $37.02B market cap).
- •HSY trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.99 vs 41.60 P/E).
- •HSY converts more revenue to profit (9.12% vs 0.69% net margin).
- •HSY grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.65% vs 2.19% CAGR).
- •HSY pays the higher dividend yield (3.09% vs 2.19%).
Which is better, HSY or KR?
Metric tally: HSY 10 · KR 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueHSY(lower P/E)
GrowthHSY(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeHSY(higher dividend yield)
QualityHSY(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 33.99● | 41.60 |
| Forward P/E | 18.27 | 11.44● |
| P/S ratio | 3.11 | 0.27● |
| P/B ratio | 7.88 | 6.82● |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.25 | 10.73● |
| FCF yield | 5.82% | 8.73%● |
Profitability
| Metric | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 34.76%● | 23.30% |
| Operating margin | 14.08%● | 1.28% |
| Net margin | 9.12%● | 0.69% |
| ROE | 23.11%● | 17.14% |
| ROIC | 9.00%● | 4.70% |
Dividends
| Metric | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.09%● | 2.19% |
| Payout ratio | 128.27% | 89.74% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.65%● | 2.19% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -6.42%● | -13.96% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 10.95%● | -2.23% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 3.64% | 13.71%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, HSY or KR?
- It depends on your goal. value: HSY (lower P/E); growth: HSY (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: HSY (higher dividend yield); quality: HSY (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, HSY leads 10 to 6.
- Is HSY or KR cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, HSY is cheaper: HSY trades at a 33.99 P/E and KR at 41.60.
- Which has grown faster, HSY or KR?
- Over the past five years, HSY grew revenue faster — HSY at a 7.65% CAGR versus KR at 2.19%.
- Does HSY or KR pay a bigger dividend?
- HSY yields 3.09% and KR yields 2.19% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is HSY or KR more profitable?
- HSY runs the higher net margin — HSY at 9.12% versus KR at 0.69%.
- Which has been the better investment, HSY or KR?
- Over the past 10-year, HSY delivered the higher annualized total return — HSY at 9.14% versus KR at 8.32%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Hershey P/E ratioKroger P/E ratioHershey dividend yieldKroger dividend yieldHershey ROEKroger ROEHershey operating marginKroger operating marginHershey revenue growthKroger revenue growthHershey free cash flowKroger free cash flow
Hershey & Kroger 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.