The Hershey Company (HSY) vs The Kroger Co. (KR)
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 July 31, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
HSY
The Hershey Company
$175.05Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
KR
The Kroger Co.
$57.74Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — HSY vs KR
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yHSY +1673.4%KR +1603.6%HSY compounded faster
HSY KR
HSY vs KR: by the numbers
- •HSY is the larger company ($35.51B vs $35.37B market cap).
- •KR trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (33.77 vs 59.74 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •HSY converts more revenue to profit (12.24% vs 0.71% net margin).
- •HSY grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.31% vs 2.33% CAGR).
- •HSY pays the higher dividend yield (3.22% vs 2.42%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 59.74 | 33.77 |
| Forward P/E | 20.66 | 12.02 |
| P/S ratio | 2.94 | 0.24 |
| P/B ratio | 7.84 | 5.49 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.04 | 10.41 |
| FCF yield | 6.68% | 8.13% |
Profitability
| Metric | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 38.11% | 23.18% |
| Operating margin | 17.58% | 1.33% |
| Net margin | 12.24% | 0.71% |
| ROE | 32.64% | 16.27% |
| ROIC | 9.00% | 4.70% |
Dividends
| Metric | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.22% | 2.42% |
| Payout ratio | 128.27% | 89.74% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | HSY | KR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.31% | 2.33% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -6.42% | -13.96% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.87% | -1.62% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 2.06% | 9.54% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, HSY or KR?
- KR has the lower trailing P/E: HSY trades at 59.74 and KR at 33.77. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, HSY or KR?
- Over the past five years, HSY grew revenue faster — HSY at a 7.31% CAGR versus KR at 2.33%.
- Does HSY or KR pay a bigger dividend?
- HSY yields 3.22% and KR yields 2.42% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is HSY or KR more profitable?
- HSY runs the higher net margin — HSY at 12.24% versus KR at 0.71%.
- How have HSY and KR total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, HSY delivered 7.22% and KR delivered 7.57% annualized total return. 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 July 31, 2026.