Bontempo Ohly Capital Mgmt LLC Takes $4.40 Million Position in Hershey Company (The) $HSY

Key Points

• Bontempo Ohly Capital Mgmt LLC invested approximately $4.40 million in Hershey Company, acquiring 25,719 shares, making it the 15th largest position in their investment portfolio.
• Hershey reported a quarterly EPS of $1.21, exceeding analysts' expectations, with a revenue of $2.61 billion and a year-over-year revenue increase of 26%.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.37 per share, translating to an annual yield of 3.0%, with a payout ratio of 72.78%.

Bontempo Ohly Capital Mgmt LLC acquired a new stake in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 25,719 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,399,000. Hershey makes up approximately 2.1% of Bontempo Ohly Capital Mgmt LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest holding.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Putney Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Hershey during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. acquired a new position in Hershey during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Hershey by 129.5% during the 1st quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 179 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fort Vancouver Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Hershey during the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. 57.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hershey Stock Performance

HSY traded up $0.52 during trading on Monday, reaching $185.53. 939,524 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,776,411. The stock has a market cap of $37.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.64, a PEG ratio of 4.47 and a beta of 0.27. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $180.55 and a 200 day moving average of $171.79. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. Hershey Company has a 52 week low of $140.13 and a 52 week high of $208.03.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.21 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.23. The firm had revenue of $2.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.50 billion. Hershey had a return on equity of 37.36% and a net margin of 13.54%.The firm's revenue was up 26.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.27 EPS. Hershey has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.809-5.997 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Hershey Company will post 6.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th will be issued a $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.0%. Hershey's dividend payout ratio is presently 72.78%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently commented on HSY. Barclays boosted their price target on Hershey from $165.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Hershey from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, July 28th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Hershey from $173.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on Hershey from $155.00 to $179.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, DA Davidson lifted their price objective on Hershey from $171.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, August 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and a consensus target price of $171.22.

Insider Activity at Hershey

In other Hershey news, insider Rohit Grover sold 1,334 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.00, for a total transaction of $240,120.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 38,068 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,852,240. This trade represents a 3.39% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 5,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.00, for a total transaction of $900,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 61,319 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,037,420. This represents a 7.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 86,127 shares of company stock worth $15,759,755. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.