Chiron Capital Management LLC Grows Position in Hershey Company (The) $HSY

Key Points

• Chiron Capital Management LLC significantly increased its holdings in Hershey Company by 95.6% during the first quarter, acquiring 2,200 additional shares, bringing their total to 4,502 shares worth $770,000.
• Recent **insider selling** includes CEO Michele Buck selling 19,290 shares for approximately $3.74 million, which is a 9.06% decrease in her ownership stake.
• Several analysts have raised their target prices for Hershey shares, with an average target now at $170.83, reflecting a consensus "Reduce" rating.

Chiron Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 95.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,502 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,200 shares during the quarter. Chiron Capital Management LLC's holdings in Hershey were worth $770,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Putney Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Hershey during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Hershey during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. acquired a new position in Hershey during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Hershey by 129.5% during the first 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 first quarter worth about $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company's stock.

Hershey Trading Up 0.3%

HSY stock traded up $0.58 during trading on Thursday, hitting $185.27. The company had a trading volume of 733,703 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,314,900. The business has a 50-day moving average of $178.64 and a 200-day moving average of $171.05. Hershey Company has a one year low of $140.13 and a one year high of $208.03. The stock has a market cap of $37.56 billion, a PE ratio of 24.60, a PEG ratio of 4.47 and a beta of 0.27. 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 (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.21 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.23. Hershey had a return on equity of 37.36% and a net margin of 13.54%.The business had revenue of $2.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.50 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.27 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 26.0% on a year-over-year basis. Hershey has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.809-5.997 EPS. Research analysts predict that Hershey Company will post 6.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced 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 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%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Hershey news, insider Rohit Grover sold 1,334 shares of the 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 $240,120.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 38,068 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,852,240. This represents a 3.39% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Michele Buck sold 19,290 shares of the 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 $3,472,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 193,624 shares in the company, valued at $34,852,320. The trade was a 9.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 86,127 shares of company stock valued at $15,759,755 over the last 90 days. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Mizuho boosted their target price on Hershey from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, July 28th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Hershey from $135.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Bank of America boosted their price target on Hershey from $175.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Hershey in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $187.00 price target on the stock. Finally, DA Davidson boosted their price target on Hershey from $171.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, August 4th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hershey currently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and a consensus price target of $170.83.

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.