Capital Research Global Investors Acquires 101,305 Shares of Hershey Company (The) $HSY

Key Points

• Capital Research Global Investors raised its stake in Hershey by 6.7%, buying 101,305 shares to hold 1,605,628 shares worth about $300.33 million (≈0.79% of the company).
• Hershey beat quarterly estimates with $1.71 EPS (vs. $1.40 expected) and $3.09B revenue (+7% y/y), set FY2026 guidance of $8.20–$8.52 EPS, and increased its quarterly dividend to $1.452 ($5.81 annualized, 2.7% yield).
• Mixed signals remain: insiders sold roughly 10,000 shares (~$2.15M) over the last three months, analysts' consensus rating is "Hold" with a $222.21 target, and the stock trades at a PE of 50.4 with a ~$44.3B market cap.

Capital Research Global Investors raised its holdings in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 1,605,628 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 101,305 shares during the quarter. Capital Research Global Investors owned 0.79% of Hershey worth $300,333,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in HSY. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. increased its position in shares of Hershey by 1,537.5% during the 3rd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 131 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Hershey by 46.3% during the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 199 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Hershey during the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp bought a new stake in Hershey in the third quarter valued at $41,000. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hershey Price Performance

NYSE:HSY opened at $218.74 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.34 billion, a PE ratio of 50.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.14. Hershey Company has a 52 week low of $150.04 and a 52 week high of $239.48. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $208.64 and its 200-day moving average price is $192.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $1.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.40 by $0.31. Hershey had a net margin of 7.55% and a return on equity of 27.90%. The firm had revenue of $3.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.97 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.69 EPS. Hershey's quarterly revenue was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Hershey has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.200-8.520 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Hershey Company will post 6.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be issued a $1.452 dividend. This represents a $5.81 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. This is a positive change from Hershey's previous quarterly dividend of $1.37. Hershey's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 133.87%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Rohit Grover sold 3,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.07, for a total transaction of $791,245.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 34,568 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,814,787.76. This trade represents a 9.19% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Jason Reiman sold 2,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.07, for a total value of $452,140.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 41,036 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,277,008.52. The trade was a 4.65% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders sold 10,000 shares of company stock worth $2,153,645. Company insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

HSY has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Hershey in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Hershey from $165.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 24th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Hershey from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, December 19th. Morgan Stanley set a $238.00 price objective on Hershey in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Hershey from $185.00 to $207.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and sixteen have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $222.21.

Trending Headlines about Hershey

Here are the key news stories impacting Hershey this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks and other outlets have recently moved HSY onto “Strong Buy” / buy-on-the-dip lists, highlighting Hershey’s defensive cash flow, brand strength and stable demand — a vote of confidence from some retail/quant shops that may attract buyers. Buy Hershey (HSY) Stock on the Dip for Defensive Safety?
• Positive Sentiment: Hershey was added to Zacks’ Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and to several “best income” lists, which can support demand from income-focused and momentum investors. New Strong Buy Stocks for March 9th
• Positive Sentiment: Product innovation: new SKUs and extensions (DOT’S Original Snack Mix, and a new Twizzlers Straws flavor) expand merchandising and seasonal/impulse opportunities — a modest long-term positive for top-line and retailer shelf space. DOT'S® INTRODUCES DOT'S ORIGINAL SNACK MIX Twizzlers Launches New Twizzlers Straws Flavor
• Neutral Sentiment: Hershey has outperformed the S&P 500 over the past year, but some analyst notes emphasize limited upside from current valuations and advise caution — performance history helps sentiment, but forward returns aren’t guaranteed. Is Hershey Stock Outperforming the S&P 500?
• Negative Sentiment: MarketWatch flags that Hershey underperformed peers on Tuesday, a datapoint investors view as relative weakness that can prompt portfolio rebalancing away from HSY. Hershey Co. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors
• Negative Sentiment: Some pieces question whether cash-rich names like Hershey are optimally allocating capital; critiques about cash use and high multiples increase investor scrutiny and can pressure the stock. 3 Cash-Producing Stocks We Think Twice About
• Positive Sentiment: MSN’s “Bull of the Day” profile highlights Hershey’s bullish case and could draw attention from momentum traders and retail investors. Bull of the Day: The Hershey Co. (HSY)

Hershey Company Profile

The Hershey Company NYSE: HSY is a leading North American chocolatier and snack manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The company develops, produces and markets a wide range of confectionery and snack products for retail, foodservice and international customers. Hershey's business spans manufacturing, branded product marketing, packaging and distribution across grocery, convenience, mass merchant and e-commerce channels.

Hershey's product portfolio centers on chocolate and sugar confectionery, including core brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses and Twizzlers, alongside non-chocolate snacks and confectionery brands.

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