Baird Financial Group Inc. Has $6.96 Million Position in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Baird Financial Group Inc. trimmed its position in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 22.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 41,089 shares of the company's stock after selling 12,116 shares during the quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc.'s holdings in Hershey were worth $6,958,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of HSY. Montag & Caldwell LLC acquired a new stake in Hershey in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Hershey in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Grove Bank & Trust grew its position in Hershey by 248.0% during the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Vision Financial Markets LLC bought a new position in Hershey during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new position in Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Hershey from $171.00 to $151.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Hershey from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday. DA Davidson lifted their price objective on shares of Hershey from $162.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday. UBS Group reduced their target price on Hershey from $175.00 to $170.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Hershey from $170.00 to $160.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 7th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $161.40.

Hershey Stock Performance

NYSE:HSY opened at $170.12 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.96. The Hershey Company has a fifty-two week low of $140.13 and a fifty-two week high of $211.92. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $168.31 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $168.56. The company has a market capitalization of $34.43 billion, a PE ratio of 15.61, a P/E/G ratio of 5.90 and a beta of 0.32.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.94 by $0.15. Hershey had a net margin of 19.83% and a return on equity of 44.77%. The business had revenue of $2.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.81 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.07 earnings per share. Hershey's revenue for the quarter was down 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that The Hershey Company will post 6.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.22%. Hershey's dividend payout ratio is currently 67.57%.

Hershey Profile

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.

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