HSY vs ERIC Comparison

Hershey is a leading US confectionery manufacturer (in a $55 billion market, according to Euromonitor), controlling more than 35% of the domestic chocolate aisle. Beyond its namesake label, the firm's portfolio has expanded over the last 85 years and now comprises 100 brands, including Reese's, Kit Kat, Kisses, and Ice Breakers. Hershey's products are sold in about 80 countries, though only a high-single-digit percentage of sales comes from markets outside the US, including the UK, Brazil, India, and Mexico. The firm has sought inorganic opportunities to extend its reach beyond its core confectionery business, adding Amplify Snack Brands and its Skinny Pop ready-to-eat popcorn to its portfolio, as well as Pirate Brands, Dot's Pretzels, and LesserEvil over the past few years.

Ericsson is a networking equipment and software provider, primarily selling mobile networking equipment and services to wireless service providers. Ericsson operates in three segments: networks, cloud software and services, and enterprise. While large wireless carriers are its largest customers, Ericsson has expanded its offerings for large enterprises. These products and services include private 5G networking, contact centers as a service, and application performance interfaces. Ericsson aims to combine its 5G network expertise with cloud-native, as-a-service platforms offering a more comprehensive hardware and software package. Ericsson also monetizes its research and development investments by licensing patents to handset manufacturers.