Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC Decreases Position in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY)

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC cut its stake in shares of Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 7.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 91,470 shares of the company's stock after selling 7,772 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC's holdings in Hershey were worth $15,644,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of HSY. LaFleur & Godfrey LLC increased its holdings in Hershey by 8.3% in the fourth quarter. LaFleur & Godfrey LLC now owns 46,708 shares of the company's stock valued at $7,910,000 after purchasing an additional 3,578 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Hershey by 464.9% in the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 435 shares of the company's stock valued at $74,000 after purchasing an additional 358 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its holdings in Hershey by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 2,240 shares of the company's stock valued at $379,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corp increased its holdings in Hershey by 22.6% in the fourth quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 2,234 shares of the company's stock valued at $378,000 after purchasing an additional 412 shares during the period. Finally, Wealthspire Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Hershey by 9.5% in the fourth quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 5,949 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,007,000 after purchasing an additional 516 shares during the period. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hershey Stock Up 1.1%

HSY stock traded up $1.80 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $173.25. 1,354,495 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,797,704. The stock has a market cap of $35.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.36, a P/E/G ratio of 6.26 and a beta of 0.29. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. Hershey Company has a fifty-two week low of $140.13 and a fifty-two week high of $208.03. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $164.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $165.36.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $2.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.81 billion. Hershey had a return on equity of 38.70% and a net margin of 15.32%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.07 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Hershey Company will post 6.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th were paid a dividend of $1.37 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 16th. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.16%. Hershey's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 67.57%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hershey

In other Hershey news, CAO Jennifer Mccalman sold 974 shares of Hershey stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.11, for a total transaction of $153,025.14. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,994 shares of the company's stock, valued at $470,387.34. This trade represents a 24.55% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Michele Buck sold 31,210 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.80, for a total transaction of $5,018,568.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 193,624 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $31,134,739.20. The trade was a 13.88% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on HSY shares. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on Hershey from $178.00 to $175.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Hershey from $183.00 to $177.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Hershey from $125.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, March 14th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on Hershey from $147.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Mizuho decreased their price target on Hershey from $167.00 to $155.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have given a hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $158.84.

Hershey Company 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.