COST vs HSY: Which is Better to Buy in 2026?

Side-by-side fundamental comparison based on AI analysis of SEC filings

AI Verdict

COST has stronger fundamentals based on our AI analysis.

COST
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW
BUY
81%
Confidence
VS
HSY
HERSHEY CO
HOLD
76%
Confidence

COST vs HSY Fundamental Comparison

Metric COST HSY
Revenue $136.9B $11.7B
Net Income $4.0B $883.3M
Net Margin 2.9% 7.6%
ROE 12.6% 19.0%
ROA 4.8% 6.4%
Current Ratio 1.06x 1.19x
Debt/Equity 0.18x 1.01x
EPS $9.08 $0.64

Green = Better metric | Red = Weaker metric

View Full COST Analysis →
View Full HSY Analysis →
Browse Sectors: Technology Healthcare Finance Energy Consumer Industrial
Stock Lists: Strong Buy Undervalued Growth Dividend

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COST vs HSY: Frequently Asked Questions

Is COST or HSY a better buy in 2026?

Based on dual AI fundamental analysis (Claude and ChatGPT), COST has stronger fundamentals. COST is rated BUY (81% confidence) while HSY is rated HOLD (76% confidence). This is not investment advice.

How does COST compare to HSY fundamentally?

COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP /NEW has ROE of 12.6% vs HERSHEY CO's 19.0%. Net margins are 2.9% vs 7.6% respectively.

Which stock pays higher dividends, COST or HSY?

COST has a dividend yield of N/A or no dividend while HSY has N/A or no dividend. Check individual stock pages for detailed dividend history and payout ratios.

Should I invest in COST or HSY for long term?

For long-term investing, consider that COST has BUY rating with 81% confidence, while HSY has HOLD rating with 76% confidence. Higher confidence indicates more consistent fundamentals from SEC filings. This is not investment advice - always do your own research.

What do the AI models say about COST vs HSY?

Our dual AI system (Claude by Anthropic and ChatGPT by OpenAI) analyzes SEC 10-K and 10-Q filings independently. For COST vs HSY, the AI consensus favors COST based on fundamental metrics including revenue growth, profitability, ROE, and balance sheet strength.