HSY’s 16% One Month Pop Begs The Question: Is CALM Better Instead?
Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Hershey (HSY), suggesting you may be better off investing in CALM
- CALM’s quarterly revenue growth was 72.2%, vs. HSY’s 26.0%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 83.2%, ahead of HSY’s 2.5%.
- CALM leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 36.0% and 3-year average of 26.7%.
HSY manufacturer and marketer of a diverse range of popular confectionery, snack, and breath freshener brands, founded in 1894 and based in Pennsylvania. CALM produces, grades, packages, and distributes specialty shell eggs, including nutritionally enhanced, cage-free, organic, and brown varieties to retailers and foodservice distributors.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| HSY | CALM | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 17.8 | 3.3 | CALM |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 26.0% | 72.2% | CALM |
| Last 12 Months | 2.5% | 83.2% | CALM |
| Last 3 Year Average | 5.2% | 44.7% | CALM |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 19.1% | 36.0% | CALM |
| Last 3 Year Average | 21.6% | 26.7% | CALM |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | -11.1% | 148.8% | CALM |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: HSY Revenue Comparison | CALM Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: HSY Operating Income Comparison | CALM Operating Income Comparison
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell CALM Stock to see if Cal-Maine Foods’s edge holds up under the hood or if Hershey still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell HSY Stock).
- Get Paid 9.0% to Buy ADSK at a 30% Discount – Here’s How
- The Smart Way to Own LLY: Collect 8.8% Before You Even Buy
- Cash Machine Trading Cheap – GoDaddy Stock Set to Run?
- Meta Platforms Stock Capital Return Hits $184 Bil
- Eli Lilly Stock Hands $51 Bil Back – Worth a Look?
- Alphabet Stock Hands $364 Bil Back – Worth a Look?
That is one way to look at stocks. Trefis High Quality Portfolio evaluates much more, and is designed to reduce stock-specific risk while giving upside exposure
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| HSY Return | 6% | 30% | 22% | -18% | -7% | 13% | 45% | ||
| CALM Return | -12% | -1% | 52% | 14% | 87% | 9% | 210% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 8% | 93% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| HSY Win Rate | 50% | 75% | 58% | 33% | 33% | 43% | 49% | ||
| CALM Win Rate | 25% | 42% | 75% | 67% | 75% | 86% | 62% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 57% | 62% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| HSY Max Drawdown | -24% | -5% | -0% | -21% | -7% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
| CALM Max Drawdown | -28% | -9% | 0% | -14% | -6% | -20% | -13% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | ||
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year till date (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year