Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY) Shares Purchased by Hohimer Wealth Management LLC

Hohimer Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 16.8% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 20,504 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 2,954 shares during the quarter. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC's holdings in Hershey were worth $3,507,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Hershey by 34.6% during the fourth quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,328 shares of the company's stock valued at $902,000 after acquiring an additional 1,370 shares during the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of Hershey by 317.1% during the fourth quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 40,209 shares of the company's stock worth $6,809,000 after purchasing an additional 30,570 shares in the last quarter. one8zero8 LLC acquired a new position in Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at $541,000. Pollock Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at $974,000. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. boosted its stake in Hershey by 36.7% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 17,235 shares of the company's stock worth $2,919,000 after purchasing an additional 4,630 shares during the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hershey Trading Up 0.1%

HSY stock traded up $0.14 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $164.90. 1,050,104 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,860,165. Hershey Company has a 12-month low of $140.13 and a 12-month high of $208.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.33, a PEG ratio of 6.08 and a beta of 0.30. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $165.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $164.68. 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 (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $2.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.81 billion. Hershey had a net margin of 15.32% and a return on equity of 38.70%. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.07 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Hershey Company will post 6.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th were issued a $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 16th. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.32%. Hershey's dividend payout ratio is presently 67.57%.

Insider Transactions at Hershey

In other Hershey news, SVP James Turoff sold 1,300 shares of Hershey stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total value of $227,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 25,321 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,431,175. The trade was a 4.88% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Michele Buck sold 31,210 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owned 193,624 shares in the company, valued at $31,134,739.20. This represents a 13.88% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 54,107 shares of company stock worth $9,008,118 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.34% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Hershey from $183.00 to $177.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Hershey from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Sunday, July 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on Hershey from $178.00 to $175.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 2nd. UBS Group dropped their price target on Hershey from $175.00 to $170.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, DA Davidson lifted their price objective on Hershey from $162.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have issued a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Hershey currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $158.84.

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.