The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) Receives Average Rating of “Reduce” from Brokerages

The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) has earned an average recommendation of “Reduce” from the twenty ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and fourteen have assigned a hold recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $171.79.

A number of equities research analysts have commented on HSY shares. Barclays decreased their price target on Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and issued a $183.00 target price on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of Hershey from $168.00 to $153.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on Hershey from $184.00 to $148.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday.

Hershey Stock Performance

Shares of HSY opened at $150.54 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The firm has a market cap of $30.46 billion, a PE ratio of 17.34, a P/E/G ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.38. Hershey has a 12 month low of $147.60 and a 12 month high of $211.92. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $169.13 and a 200-day moving average price of $183.26.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were paid a $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.64%. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is currently 63.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY boosted its stake in shares of Hershey by 0.8% in the third quarter. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY now owns 7,355 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,411,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC grew its stake in Hershey by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 5,646 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,083,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC raised its holdings in Hershey by 23.3% in the 3rd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 333 shares of the company’s stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Forum Financial Management LP lifted its stake in Hershey by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 4,130 shares of the company’s stock worth $792,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Avestar Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Hershey by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 1,175 shares of the company’s stock worth $225,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Hershey

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. The company operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International. It offers chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products, including mints, chewing gums, and bubble gums; protein bars; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings, beverages, and sundae syrups; and snack items comprising spreads, bars, snack bites, mixes, popcorn, and pretzels.