The Hershey Company

HSY · Consumer Defensive

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (HSY) has been publicly traded since 1980, making it a 46-year-old public company. It operates in the Confectioners industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Hershey, United States and employs approximately 17,550 people. With a market capitalization of $44 billion, HSY is a large established company.

Key Statistics

Current Price
$217.13
Market Cap
$44.03B
52-Week High
$239.48
52-Week Low
$150.04
Sector
Consumer Defensive
Industry
Confectioners

$1,000 Invested

1 Year
$1,302
+30%
3 Years
$989
+-1%
5 Years
$1,626
+63%
10 Years
$2,981
+198%
Since IPO
$655,941
+65494%

Monthly Returns Heatmap

Annual Returns

Avg Return
+16.53%
Best Year
1982 (+56.60%)
Worst Year
1999 (-22.34%)
Positive Years
38/46
Year Return Start End
2026 +20.10% $180.79 $217.12
2025 +10.98% $162.90 $180.79
2024 -6.51% $174.24 $162.90
2023 -17.88% $212.17 $174.24
2022 +21.86% $174.11 $212.17
2021 +29.58% $134.36 $174.11
2020 +5.90% $126.88 $134.36
2019 +40.20% $90.50 $126.88
2018 -2.92% $93.21 $90.50
2017 +12.33% $82.98 $93.21
2016 +18.75% $69.88 $82.98
2015 -12.02% $79.43 $69.88
2014 +9.16% $72.77 $79.43
2013 +37.38% $52.97 $72.77
2012 +19.61% $44.28 $52.97
2011 +34.37% $32.96 $44.28
2010 +35.56% $24.31 $32.96
2009 +6.44% $22.84 $24.31
2008 -8.86% $25.06 $22.84
2007 -18.94% $30.91 $25.06
2006 -8.12% $33.64 $30.91
2005 +1.03% $33.30 $33.64
2004 +46.91% $22.67 $33.30
2003 +16.54% $19.45 $22.67
2002 +1.44% $19.17 $19.45
2001 +7.13% $17.90 $19.17
2000 +38.68% $12.91 $17.90
1999 -22.34% $16.62 $12.91
1998 +1.81% $16.32 $16.62
1997 +43.82% $11.35 $16.32
1996 +37.03% $8.28 $11.35
1995 +37.75% $6.01 $8.28
1994 +1.40% $5.93 $6.01
1993 +6.62% $5.56 $5.93
1992 +8.50% $5.13 $5.56
1991 +21.09% $4.23 $5.13
1990 +7.64% $3.93 $4.23
1989 +41.34% $2.78 $3.93
1988 +9.06% $2.55 $2.78
1987 +1.67% $2.51 $2.55
1986 +46.78% $1.71 $2.51
1985 +35.39% $1.26 $1.71
1984 +22.13% $1.03 $1.26
1983 +12.20% $0.92 $1.03
1982 +56.60% $0.59 $0.92
1981 +53.19% $0.38 $0.59

Valuation

HSY currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 50.0, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 22.1 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 9.5. The price-to-sales ratio is 3.8.

Dividends

The Hershey Company pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.68%. This translates to $5.81 per share annually. The payout ratio of 1% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.

Risk & Volatility

HSY has a beta of 0.11, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $150.04 to $239.48, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.

Analyst Ratings

Based on 23 analyst opinions, HSY has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target of $230.00 suggests 5.9% upside from current levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Hershey Company do?

The Hershey Company is a Confectioners company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Hershey, United States.

What sector is HSY in?

HSY operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Confectioners industry.

When did HSY go public?

The Hershey Company went public in 1980, making it a 46-year-old public company as of 2026.

How much would $1,000 invested in HSY 5 years ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in HSY five years ago would be worth approximately $1,626 today, representing a 62.6% return.

Does HSY pay dividends?

Yes, The Hershey Company pays a dividend with a current yield of 2.68%, which is $5.81 per share annually.

What is HSY's market cap?

The Hershey Company has a market capitalization of $44 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.

What is HSY's P/E ratio?

HSY has a trailing P/E ratio of 50.0 and a forward P/E of 22.1, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.

Is HSY a buy, hold, or sell?

Based on 23 opinions, HSY has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target is $230.0.

Last updated: 3/14/2026