Hershey (HSY) vs J & J Snack Foods (JJSF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
J & J Snack Foods (JJSF) has outperformed Hershey (HSY) over the past year, losing 16.4% versus a loss of 17.5%. Over five years, HSY leads with a -10.7% price change compared with -47.3% for JJSF. Hershey is the larger company by market cap ($32.66 billion vs $1.53 billion), about 21.4 times the size.
On valuation, Hershey trades at a lower forward P/E (16.5x vs 18.9x for J & J Snack Foods). J & J Snack Foods offers the higher dividend yield (3.92% vs 3.47%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | HSY | JJSF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $162.54 | $81.69 |
| Market cap | $32.66B | $1.53B |
| 1-day change | +1.37% | +2.97% |
| YTD return | -11.89% | -12.22% |
| 1-year return | -17.52% | -16.39% |
| 5-year return | -10.73% | -47.34% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.20 | 31.66 |
| Forward P/E | 16.49 | 18.91 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.32 | $2.58 |
| Dividend yield | 3.47% | 3.92% |
| Annual dividend | $5.64 | $3.20 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $11.69B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.38% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $883.26M | — |
| Gross margin | 33.55% | — |
| Operating margin | 12.33% | — |
| Net margin | 7.55% | — |
| 52-week high | $239.48 | $98.63 |
| 52-week low | $156.16 | $68.87 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -32.13% | -17.18% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +24.98% | +35.27% |
| Average volume | 1.47M | 216.44K |
| Shares outstanding | 146.31M | 18.68M |
| Employees | 17,550 | 4,600 |
| Sector | Consumer Defensive | Consumer Staples |
| Industry | Confectioners | Specialty Foods |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Hershey is about 21.4 times larger than J & J Snack Foods by market value ($32.66B vs $1.53B).
- J & J Snack Foods trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.7x vs 22.2x trailing P/E).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Hershey in Consumer Defensive and J & J Snack Foods in Consumer Staples.
About Hershey
HSY stock →The Hershey Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products and pantry items in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International.
Consumer Defensive · Confectioners · 17,550 employees
About J & J Snack Foods
JJSF stock →J&J Snack Foods Corp. manufactures, markets, and distributes nutritional snack food and beverages to the food service and retail supermarket industries in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Consumer Staples · Specialty Foods · 4,600 employees
HSY vs JJSF FAQ
Which is bigger, Hershey or J & J Snack Foods?
Hershey (HSY) is larger, with a market capitalization of $32.66B compared with $1.53B for J & J Snack Foods (JJSF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HSY or JJSF?
JJSF returned -16.39% over the past 12 months, compared with -17.52% for HSY (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HSY or JJSF?
HSY has the lower trailing P/E at 22.2, versus 31.7 for JJSF. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Hershey or J & J Snack Foods?
J & J Snack Foods has the higher yield at 3.92%, compared with 3.47% for Hershey.
Are Hershey and J & J Snack Foods in the same industry?
No. Hershey is in the Consumer Defensive sector, while J & J Snack Foods is in Consumer Staples.