Russell Investments Group Ltd. Buys 12,241 Shares of Hershey Company (The) $HSY

Key Points

• Russell Investments raised its stake in Hershey by 9%, acquiring 12,241 shares to own 148,389 shares valued at roughly $27.7 million.
• Hershey increased its quarterly dividend to $1.452 (annualized $5.81) for a ~2.7% yield, though the payout ratio is high at 133.87%.
• Hershey beat the quarter with $1.71 EPS (vs. $1.40 expected) and $3.09B revenue, set FY2026 guidance of $8.20–$8.52 EPS, while analysts maintain an average "Hold" rating and a $222.21 consensus price target.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its stake in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 9.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 148,389 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 12,241 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned 0.07% of Hershey worth $27,736,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Schroder Investment Management Group grew its holdings in Hershey by 5.1% during the third quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 128,774 shares of the company's stock valued at $24,087,000 after purchasing an additional 6,266 shares during the last quarter. PFG Advisors lifted its stake in shares of Hershey by 13.2% in the third quarter. PFG Advisors now owns 1,421 shares of the company's stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG lifted its stake in shares of Hershey by 126.1% in the third quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG now owns 14,163 shares of the company's stock worth $2,649,000 after buying an additional 7,900 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Hershey by 2.7% in the third quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 49,931 shares of the company's stock worth $9,339,000 after buying an additional 1,301 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Korea Investment CORP boosted its holdings in shares of Hershey by 27.0% during the 3rd quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 43,482 shares of the company's stock worth $8,133,000 after buying an additional 9,235 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the company's stock.

Hershey Stock Performance

HSY opened at $215.38 on Friday. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $210.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $193.01. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The stock has a market cap of $43.66 billion, a PE ratio of 49.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.14. Hershey Company has a 1 year low of $150.04 and a 1 year high of $239.48.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $1.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.40 by $0.31. Hershey had a return on equity of 27.90% and a net margin of 7.55%.The firm had revenue of $3.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.97 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.69 earnings per share. Hershey's quarterly revenue was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Hershey has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.200-8.520 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Hershey Company will post 6.12 EPS for the current year.

Hershey Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be issued a dividend of $1.452 per share. This represents a $5.81 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 17th. This is a positive change from Hershey's previous quarterly dividend of $1.37. Hershey's payout ratio is 133.87%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on HSY shares. Morgan Stanley set a $238.00 target price on shares of Hershey in a report on Friday, February 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating and set a $267.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a report on Friday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Hershey from $182.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on Hershey from $165.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 24th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and set a $185.00 target price on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and sixteen have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $222.21.

Insider Activity

In other Hershey news, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $219.66, for a total transaction of $329,490.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 50,819 shares in the company, valued at $11,162,901.54. This trade represents a 2.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Rohit Grover sold 3,500 shares of Hershey stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.07, for a total value of $791,245.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 34,568 shares in the company, valued at $7,814,787.76. The trade was a 9.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 10,000 shares of company stock worth $2,153,645. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the company's stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Hershey

Here are the key news stories impacting Hershey this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgrades HSY to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), citing improved earnings prospects and optimism around the company’s outlook — this upgrade is likely the main driver of today’s buying interest. Hershey (HSY) Upgraded to Strong Buy: Here's Why
• Positive Sentiment: HSY was added to Zacks’ momentum and income Rank #1 (Strong Buy) lists (momentum and income-focused buy lists can attract both growth and dividend-oriented flows). Best Momentum Stocks to Buy for March 12th
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks also ran a positive feature calling HSY an “incredible growth stock,” highlighting structural growth drivers that could support a higher multiple over time. Hershey (HSY) is an Incredible Growth Stock: 3 Reasons Why
• Neutral Sentiment: Thematic note: a Seeking Alpha piece on “moat” stocks during a tech pullback suggests defensive/consumer staples names like Hershey may outperform in rotations, but it’s a broader market theme rather than company-specific news. Defense Lifts Moat Stocks As Tech Stumbles
• Negative Sentiment: Sector headwind: Campbell’s (CPB) missed results and a drop in snacks demand underscore potential demand pressure across the snacks category, which could weigh on Hershey’s near-term volume and margins. Campbell's Q2 Earnings & Revenues Miss Estimates, Sales Down 5% Y/Y
• Negative Sentiment: Recent relative weakness: coverage noting HSY’s underperformance versus peers may signal profit-taking or rotation out of the name despite upgrades, contributing to today’s downward pressure. Hershey Co. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors

About Hershey

The Hershey Company NYSE: HSY is a leading North American chocolatier and snack manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The company develops, produces and markets a wide range of confectionery and snack products for retail, foodservice and international customers. Hershey's business spans manufacturing, branded product marketing, packaging and distribution across grocery, convenience, mass merchant and e-commerce channels.

Hershey's product portfolio centers on chocolate and sugar confectionery, including core brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses and Twizzlers, alongside non-chocolate snacks and confectionery brands.

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