Financial Advisors Network Inc. Acquires New Stake in Hershey Company (The) $HSY

Key Points

• Financial Advisors Network Inc. has purchased 1,524 shares of Hershey Company for approximately $261,000, indicating growing institutional interest in the stock.
• CEO Michele Buck sold nearly 19,300 shares of Hershey stock, resulting in a 9.06% decrease in her ownership, while over the last ninety days, insiders have sold a total of 118,311 shares worth about $20.9 million.
• Hershey recently announced a quarterly dividend of $1.37 per share, scheduled for September 15th, with a payout ratio currently at 72.78% and an annualized yield of 3.1%.

Financial Advisors Network Inc. bought a new position in shares of Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 1,524 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $261,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Putney Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Hershey during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Hershey in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. bought a new position in Hershey during the first quarter worth $28,000. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC grew its position in Hershey by 129.5% in the 1st quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 179 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fort Vancouver Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hershey during the first quarter valued at $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Rohit Grover sold 1,334 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 value of $240,120.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 38,068 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,852,240. This represents a 3.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 5,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.00, for a total value of $900,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 61,319 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,037,420. The trade was a 7.54% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 118,311 shares of company stock valued at $20,931,348 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the company's stock.

Hershey Trading Up 1.2%

Shares of NYSE:HSY traded up $2.1160 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $181.4760. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,110,298 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,839,830. Hershey Company has a fifty-two week low of $140.13 and a fifty-two week high of $208.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.10, a PEG ratio of 4.38 and a beta of 0.27. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $176.26 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $169.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.53.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.21 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $2.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.27 EPS. Hershey has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.809-5.997 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Hershey Company will post 6.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 3.0%. Hershey's dividend payout ratio is currently 72.78%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. DA Davidson increased their price target on Hershey from $171.00 to $188.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on Hershey from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on Hershey from $178.00 to $175.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Hershey from $135.00 to $154.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective on Hershey from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Reduce" and a consensus target price of $170.83.

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.