Compare Stocks › AXP vs HSY
American Express Company (AXP) vs The Hershey Company (HSY)
AXP
American Express Company
$294.93
VS
HSY
The Hershey Company
$210.58
Rewards
AXP
- ★Gross margin of 63.5% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
- ★Return on equity has consistently exceeded 20% over 4 years, indicating efficient use of shareholder capital.
- ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $6.18 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
HSY
- ★The Hershey Company has maintained ROIC above 10% for 4 consecutive years, suggesting solid business economics.
- ★The Hershey Company scores 72/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with revenue predictability as the strongest competitive dimension.
- ★Altman Z-Score of 4.24 indicates very low bankruptcy risk — the company is firmly in the safe zone.
Risks
AXP
- ⚠Altman Z-Score of 0.93 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
- ⚠7 insider sales totaling $36.4M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
- ⚠Free cash flow has declined at a 5.9% CAGR over the past 4 years — a concerning trend.
HSY
- ⚠Trailing P/E of 48.5x is 86% above the historical average of 26.0x — the stock trades at a premium to its own history.
- ⚠5 insider sales totaling $1.9M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
Key Valuation Metrics
Learn more →AXP
HSY
Valuation
N/A
Free Cash Flow
$1.45B
N/A
FCF Yield
3.39%
19.19
Trailing P/E
48.52
14.64
Forward P/E
21.44
Quality & Moat
9.49%
ROIC
13.09%
31.97%
ROE
19.05%
63.47%
Gross Margin
33.55%
1.16
PEG Ratio
N/A
Balance Sheet Safety
1.91
Debt / Equity
1.24
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
N/A
Net Debt / EBITDA
2.44
1.29%
Dividend Yield
2.76%
AXP: 4Ties: 1HSY: 3
AXPHSY
Historical Fundamentals
Learn more →AXP
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
HSY
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
$1 Retained Earnings Test
Learn more →AXP
$6.18
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$23.29B
Δ Market Cap
+$144.01B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
HSY
$-5.53
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Market Cap Declined
Σ Retained
$1.91B
Δ Market Cap
$-10.55B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
Learn more →AXP
38.6% Margin of Safety
Price is 38.6% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $294.93
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $480.21
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
HSY
53.1% Overvalued
Price is 53.1% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $210.58
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $137.59
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth
Learn more →AXP
Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.
HSY
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $211?
+21.2%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +14.4%
The market implies +21.2% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.
Standard FCF implies a demanding +14.4%, reflecting heavy growth investment.
Economic Moat Score
Learn more →AXP
40/100
Narrow Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Narrow moat with revenue predictability as the key competitive advantage. Improving margin stability would strengthen the moat.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
HSY
72/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Wide moat driven primarily by revenue predictability. Margin Stability is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
Forensic Accounting
Learn more →AXP
-2.51
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
HSY
-2.78
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Ownership Breakdown
Learn more →AXP
Insiders 22.2%Institutions 64.8%Retail & Other 12.9%
No. of Institutional Holders3,749
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
HSY
Insiders 0.4%Institutions 88.8%Retail & Other 10.7%
No. of Institutional Holders1,860
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
Insider Buying Activity
Learn more →AXP
0
Buys (3M)
1
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $4,054
JOABAR RAYMOND D
Officer
$4,054
@ $176.26 · 2025-04-09
ANGELAKIS MICHAEL J
Director
$998,593
@ $269.89 · 2025-03-07
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
HSY
0
Buys (3M)
3
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $445,411
SCHECHTMAN NATALIE S
Officer
$37,258
@ $186.29 · 2025-11-24
TANNER KIRK L.
Chief Executive Officer
$370,915
@ $185.46 · 2025-11-21
TAFFET STACY
Officer
$37,238
@ $186.19 · 2025-11-21
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.
Insider Selling Activity
Learn more →AXP
7
Sells (3M)
20
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $152.65M
LIEBERMAN QUINN JESSICA
Officer
$909,661
@ $300.02 · 2026-03-06
JOABAR RAYMOND D
Officer
$4.77M
@ $340.67 · 2026-02-19
GROSFIELD HOWARD M
Officer
$2.82M
@ $346.73 · 2026-02-12
RADHAKRISHNAN RAVIKUMAR S
Chief Technology Officer
$5.35M
@ $356.58 · 2026-02-09
SEEGER LAUREEN E
Officer
$4.60M
@ $360.99 · 2026-02-09
MARRS ANNA
Officer
$9.60M
@ $350.01 · 2026-02-05
PICKETT DENISE
Officer
$8.35M
@ $356.91 · 2026-02-05
JOABAR RAYMOND D
Officer
$538,902
@ $384.93 · 2025-12-12
RUTLEDGE ELIZABETH
Officer
$18.01M
@ $360.21 · 2025-10-31
TABISH DOUGLAS J
Officer
$894,359
@ $355.61 · 2025-10-23
PICKETT DENISE
Officer
$1.75M
@ $350.73 · 2025-10-22
SQUERI STEPHEN J
Chief Executive Officer
$37.03M
@ $329.86 · 2025-09-04
HERENA MONIQUE
Officer
$2.83M
@ $325.88 · 2025-09-03
BUCKMINSTER DOUGLAS E
Officer
$7.67M
@ $326.37 · 2025-09-02
SEEGER LAUREEN E
Officer
$23.37M
@ $296.90 · 2025-08-06
MCNEAL GLENDA G
Officer
$15.47M
@ $309.50 · 2025-07-29
MARRS ANNA
Officer
$1.71M
@ $310.77 · 2025-07-29
MARQUEZ RAFAEL
Officer
$3.56M
@ $296.93 · 2025-05-20
GROSFIELD HOWARD M
Officer
$2.60M
@ $275.50 · 2025-05-06
MCNEAL GLENDA G
Officer
$799,009
@ $264.66 · 2025-04-29
MARRS ANNA
President
$6.32M
@ $287.88 · 2025-03-04
LIEBERMAN QUINN JESSICA
Officer
$897,590
@ $296.43 · 2025-02-26
MCNEAL GLENDA G
Officer
$2.29M
@ $309.96 · 2025-02-11
SQUERI STEPHEN J
Chief Executive Officer
$16.24M
@ $319.45 · 2025-02-06
JOABAR RAYMOND D
Officer
$3.53M
@ $317.01 · 2025-02-05
RADHAKRISHNAN RAVIKUMAR S
Chief Technology Officer
$3.03M
@ $319.17 · 2025-02-05
PICKETT DENISE
Officer
$7.25M
@ $318.69 · 2025-02-05
JOABAR RAYMOND D
Officer
$4.77M
@ $313.94 · 2025-01-28
LE CAILLEC CHRISTOPHE
Chief Financial Officer
$1.82M
@ $303.48 · 2024-11-27
SQUERI STEPHEN J
Chief Executive Officer
$48.90M
@ $286.57 · 2024-11-07
HERENA MONIQUE
Officer
$374,010
@ $287.70 · 2024-11-07
BUCKMINSTER DOUGLAS E
Officer
$3.55M
@ $270.98 · 2024-10-29
WILLIAMS ANRE D.
Officer
$21.05M
@ $270.26 · 2024-10-22
PICKETT DENISE
Officer
$666,213
@ $240.68 · 2024-05-22
SKYLER JENNIFER
Officer
$3.58M
@ $241.73 · 2024-05-10
LIEBERMAN QUINN JESSICA
Officer
$729,770
@ $232.41 · 2024-05-06
MARRS ANNA
Officer
$829,501
@ $230.93 · 2024-05-03
BUCKMINSTER DOUGLAS E
Officer
$27.27M
@ $232.44 · 2024-05-02
SQUERI STEPHEN J
Chief Executive Officer
$9.28M
@ $238.63 · 2024-04-23
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
HSY
5
Sells (3M)
25
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $25.81M
REIMAN JASON R
Officer
$452,140
@ $226.07 · 2026-02-24
GROVER ROHIT
Officer
$791,245
@ $226.07 · 2026-02-24
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$329,490
@ $219.66 · 2026-02-18
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$298,005
@ $198.67 · 2026-01-20
ROBBIN-COKER CORDEL
Director
$23,933
@ $184.10 · 2026-01-05
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$282,765
@ $188.51 · 2025-12-18
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$269,340
@ $179.56 · 2025-11-18
ROBBIN-COKER CORDEL
Director
$50,971
@ $168.22 · 2025-11-03
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$281,280
@ $187.52 · 2025-10-20
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$283,680
@ $189.12 · 2025-09-18
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$267,795
@ $178.53 · 2025-08-18
BUCK MICHELE G
Chief Executive Officer
$3.74M
@ $194.00 · 2025-07-30
BUCK MICHELE G
Chief Executive Officer
$3.57M
@ $185.00 · 2025-07-23
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$900,000
@ $180.00 · 2025-07-21
BUCK MICHELE G
Chief Executive Officer
$3.47M
@ $180.00 · 2025-07-21
GROVER ROHIT
Officer
$240,120
@ $180.00 · 2025-07-21
BUCK MICHELE G
Chief Executive Officer
$3.38M
@ $175.00 · 2025-07-01
TUROFF JAMES
General Counsel
$227,500
@ $175.00 · 2025-07-01
GROVER ROHIT
Officer
$233,275
@ $175.00 · 2025-07-01
TUROFF JAMES
General Counsel
$214,500
@ $165.00 · 2025-06-09
GROVER ROHIT
Officer
$219,945
@ $165.00 · 2025-06-09
BUCK MICHELE G
Chief Executive Officer
$5.02M
@ $160.80 · 2025-05-30
TUROFF JAMES
General Counsel
$209,040
@ $160.80 · 2025-05-30
MCCALMAN JENNIFER L.
Officer
$153,025
@ $157.11 · 2025-05-28
MALCOLM ROBERT M.
Director
$907,267
@ $165.32 · 2025-05-02
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$540,000
@ $180.00 · 2025-02-25
MCCALMAN JENNIFER L.
Officer
$41,144
@ $148.00 · 2025-02-03
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$180,000
@ $180.00 · 2024-12-03
MCCALMAN JENNIFER L.
Officer
$49,840
@ $179.28 · 2024-11-04
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$185,470
@ $185.47 · 2024-10-21
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$197,540
@ $197.54 · 2024-09-19
BUCK MICHELE G
Chief Executive Officer
$5.45M
@ $200.40 · 2024-09-06
BUCK MICHELE G
Chief Executive Officer
$179,320
@ $199.24 · 2024-09-05
BUCK MICHELE G
Chief Executive Officer
$948,995
@ $199.16 · 2024-09-04
SCALIA CHRISTOPHER M
Officer
$985,200
@ $197.04 · 2024-08-26
BUCK MICHELE G
Chief Executive Officer
$524,738
@ $199.37 · 2024-08-21
VOSKUIL STEVEN E
Chief Financial Officer
$193,870
@ $193.87 · 2024-08-19
RAUP CHARLES R
Officer
$400,342
@ $193.87 · 2024-08-19
MCCALMAN JENNIFER L.
Officer
$107,153
@ $199.17 · 2024-08-12
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.
🎭 Mr. Market's Mood
Learn more →AXP
😐Neutral(42/100)
"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
HSY
😐Neutral(46/100)
"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
⚖️ Buffett Signal
Learn more →AXP
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (42)
HSY
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (46)