The Hershey Company (HSY) vs Altria Group, Inc. (MO)
MO leads on 11 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of The Hershey Company and Altria Group, Inc. 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
$175.31Consumer Defensive
MO
Altria Group, Inc.
$70.19Consumer Defensive
Total return — HSY vs MO
growth of $100 · last 30yHSY +896.6%MO +99.6%HSY compounded faster
HSY MO
HSY vs MO: by the numbers
- •MO is the larger company ($116.02B vs $35.56B market cap).
- •MO trades at the lower earnings multiple (14.68 vs 32.65 P/E).
- •MO converts more revenue to profit (36.91% vs 9.12% net margin).
- •HSY grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.65% vs 1.08% CAGR).
- •MO pays the higher dividend yield (6.04% vs 3.22%).
Which is better, HSY or MO?
Metric tally: HSY 4 · MO 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMO(lower P/E)
GrowthHSY(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMO(higher dividend yield)
QualityMO(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | HSY | MO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 32.65 | 14.68● |
| Forward P/E | 17.54 | 11.93● |
| P/S ratio | 2.99● | 5.38 |
| P/B ratio | 7.56 | — |
| PEG ratio | — | 1.29 |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.57 | 11.68● |
| FCF yield | 6.06% | 7.34%● |
Profitability
| Metric | HSY | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 34.76% | 67.84%● |
| Operating margin | 14.08% | 50.73%● |
| Net margin | 9.12% | 36.91%● |
| ROE | 23.11%● | -198.37% |
| ROIC | 9.00% | 42.95%● |
Dividends
| Metric | HSY | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.22% | 6.04%● |
| Payout ratio | 128.27% | 103.16% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | HSY | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.65%● | 1.08% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -6.42% | 11.36%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 10.95%● | 1.28% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 2.71% | 16.93%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, HSY or MO?
- It depends on your goal. value: MO (lower P/E); growth: HSY (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MO (higher dividend yield); quality: MO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MO leads 11 to 4.
- Is HSY or MO cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MO is cheaper: HSY trades at a 32.65 P/E and MO at 14.68.
- Which has grown faster, HSY or MO?
- Over the past five years, HSY grew revenue faster — HSY at a 7.65% CAGR versus MO at 1.08%.
- Does HSY or MO pay a bigger dividend?
- HSY yields 3.22% and MO yields 6.04% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is HSY or MO more profitable?
- MO runs the higher net margin — HSY at 9.12% versus MO at 36.91%.
- Which has been the better investment, HSY or MO?
- Over the past 10-year, HSY delivered the higher annualized total return — HSY at 8.66% versus MO at 7.73%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Hershey P/E ratioAltria P/E ratioHershey dividend yieldAltria dividend yieldHershey ROEAltria ROEHershey operating marginAltria operating marginHershey revenue growthAltria revenue growthHershey free cash flowAltria free cash flow
Hershey & Altria 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.