78,343 Hershey Company (The) $HSY Shares Acquired by International Assets Investment Management LLC

Key Points

• International Assets Investment Management increased its Hershey stake by 4,728% in the third quarter, acquiring 78,343 shares for a total holding of 80,000 shares valued at approximately $12.6 million. Institutional investors collectively own 57.96% of HSY.
• Hershey reported quarterly EPS of $2.64, exceeding the $2.11 analyst consensus, while revenue reached $3.28 billion, up 3% year over year. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.452 per share, or $5.81 annualized.
• Despite strong earnings, analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with a $195.24 target price, as high cocoa and sugar costs, inflation, pricing pressure and weaker consumer demand weigh on the outlook.

International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 4,728.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 80,000 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 78,343 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC's holdings in Hershey were worth $12,609,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of HSY. Bell Investment Advisors Inc purchased a new position in Hershey in the second quarter worth about $26,000. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of Hershey in the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Hershey in the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hershey during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Latitude Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hershey during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 57.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hershey Price Performance

NYSE HSY opened at $165.85 on Friday. The business's fifty day moving average price is $169.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $189.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $33.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.76, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.24 and a quick ratio of 0.66. Hershey Company has a 1-year low of $156.16 and a 1-year high of $239.48.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 29th. The company reported $2.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.11 by $0.53. Hershey had a return on equity of 37.12% and a net margin of 14.63%. The firm had revenue of $3.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.25 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.30 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Hershey Company will post 8.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be given a dividend of $1.4520 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 16th. This represents a $5.81 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Hershey's dividend payout ratio is presently 65.72%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on HSY shares. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating and issued a $194.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a report on Friday. DA Davidson set a $170.00 target price on Hershey in a research note on Friday. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $198.00 target price (up from $190.00) on shares of Hershey in a report on Tuesday, October 20th. Rothschild & Co Redburn boosted their price target on Hershey from $166.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Hershey from $183.00 to $166.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $195.24.

Key Headlines Impacting Hershey

Here are the key news stories impacting Hershey this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Hershey reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.64 per share, well above the roughly $2.11–$2.12 consensus estimate, while revenue of $3.28 billion also exceeded expectations and rose 3% year over year. Hershey Reports Third-Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Pricing gains, cost relief and tariff refunds drove a sharp increase in quarterly profit, prompting Hershey to raise its 2026 earnings outlook. The stronger results provide support for the stock despite volume weakness. HSY Q3 Earnings Top Estimates on Cost Relief and Pricing Gains
• Positive Sentiment: Management maintained its 2027 sales-growth target of 2% to 4% and highlighted a substantially larger innovation pipeline and productivity initiatives as longer-term growth drivers. Hershey Targets 2027 Sales Growth
• Positive Sentiment: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.452 per common share, equivalent to $5.81 annually and a yield of approximately 3.6%, supporting the income-investment case. Hershey Declares Quarterly Dividends
• Neutral Sentiment: Some market commentary characterizes HSY as a long-term momentum stock, but these assessments are based largely on quantitative ranking factors rather than a new fundamental catalyst. Why Hershey Is a Top Momentum Stock
• Negative Sentiment: Hershey reduced its 2026 organic-sales outlook as high prices, inflation, interest rates and gasoline costs pressure shoppers. Convenience-store candy sales fell 5% in September, and management said the final days of Halloween are critical. Hershey Warns Financial Pressures Could Weigh on Halloween Spending
• Negative Sentiment: Higher cocoa and sugar costs are creating margin risk, while consumers are trading down to smaller candy packages. TD Cowen downgraded HSY to “hold” and cut its price target to $173 from $198; BNP Paribas Exane also reduced its target. Halloween Gets Pricier as Chocolate Costs Rise

About Hershey

The Hershey Company NYSE: HSY is a global confectionery and snack food manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894, the company began as a chocolate producer and has grown into one of the largest branded snack businesses in North America.

Hershey's portfolio includes chocolate, non-chocolate confectionery, gum and mints, and salty snacks. Its brands include Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Kit Kat in the United States under license from Nestlé, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop and Dot's Pretzels.

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