The Hershey Company (HSY) vs Target Corporation (TGT)
A side-by-side comparison of The Hershey Company and Target Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 20, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
HSY
The Hershey Company
$188.79Consumer DefensiveAt close: Aug 19, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
TGT
Target Corporation
$159.00Consumer DefensiveAt close: Aug 19, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — HSY vs TGT
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yHSY +117.0% (+8.1%/yr)TGT +205.5% (+11.8%/yr)TGT compounded faster over this window
HSY TGT
HSY vs TGT: by the numbers
- •TGT is the larger company ($72.23B vs $38.29B market cap).
- •TGT trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.49 vs 25.79 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •HSY converts more revenue to profit (12.24% vs 4.08% net margin).
- •HSY grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.31% vs -0.29% CAGR).
- •HSY pays the higher dividend yield (3.03% vs 2.88%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | HSY | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 25.79 | 16.49 |
| Forward P/E | 22.25 | 21.77 |
| P/S ratio | 3.17 | 0.67 |
| P/B ratio | 8.45 | 4.07 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.28 | 7.79 |
| FCF yield | 6.60% | 9.58% |
Profitability
| Metric | HSY | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 38.11% | 29.30% |
| Operating margin | 17.58% | 5.59% |
| Net margin | 12.24% | 4.08% |
| ROE | 32.64% | 24.61% |
| ROIC | 15.00% | 11.35% |
Dividends
| Metric | HSY | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.03% | 2.88% |
| Payout ratio | 130.14% | 56.13% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | HSY | TGT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.31% | -0.29% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -6.42% | -1.34% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 9.19% | -13.56% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 3.51% | -5.40% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, HSY or TGT?
- TGT has the lower trailing P/E: HSY trades at 25.79 and TGT at 16.49. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, HSY or TGT?
- Over the past five years, HSY grew revenue faster — HSY at a 7.31% CAGR versus TGT at -0.29%.
- Does HSY or TGT pay a bigger dividend?
- HSY yields 3.03% and TGT yields 2.88% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is HSY or TGT more profitable?
- HSY runs the higher net margin — HSY at 12.24% versus TGT at 4.08%.
- How have HSY and TGT total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, HSY delivered 7.85% and TGT delivered 11.85% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Hershey P/E ratioTarget P/E ratioHershey dividend yieldTarget dividend yieldHershey ROETarget ROEHershey operating marginTarget operating marginHershey revenue growthTarget revenue growthHershey free cash flowTarget free cash flow
Hershey & Target 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 August 20, 2026.