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).

Compare

Total return — HSY vs MO

growth of $100 · last 30y
HSY +896.6%MO +99.6%HSY compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$997$200
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 11

It 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

MetricHSYMO
P/E ratio32.6514.68
Forward P/E17.5411.93
P/S ratio2.995.38
P/B ratio7.56
PEG ratio1.29
EV / EBITDA18.5711.68
FCF yield6.06%7.34%

Profitability

MetricHSYMO
Gross margin34.76%67.84%
Operating margin14.08%50.73%
Net margin9.12%36.91%
ROE23.11%-198.37%
ROIC9.00%42.95%

Dividends

MetricHSYMO
Dividend yield3.22%6.04%
Payout ratio128.27%103.16%

Growth (annualized)

MetricHSYMO
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.

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.