Peak Retirement Planning Inc. Makes New $807,000 Investment in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Peak Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new position in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 4,770 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $807,000.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Montag & Caldwell LLC purchased a new stake in Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Hershey in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in Hershey during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new position in Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey in the fourth quarter valued at $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.96% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup cut their price target on Hershey from $173.00 to $165.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Hershey from $175.00 to $170.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Mizuho decreased their price objective on shares of Hershey from $170.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on Hershey from $170.00 to $160.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Hershey from $125.00 to $132.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, March 14th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have issued a hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $161.40.

Hershey Stock Performance

Hershey stock traded up $2.88 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $158.23. 2,737,866 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,790,682. The stock has a market cap of $32.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.52, a P/E/G ratio of 5.90 and a beta of 0.32. The firm's 50 day moving average is $164.53 and its 200 day moving average is $166.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.96. The Hershey Company has a 52-week low of $140.13 and a 52-week high of $208.03.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.94 by $0.15. Hershey had a return on equity of 44.77% and a net margin of 19.83%. The firm had revenue of $2.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.81 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.07 earnings per share. Hershey's revenue was down 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that The Hershey Company will post 6.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 16th. Hershey's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 67.57%.

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.