Tidal Investments LLC Has $2.20 Million Stock Holdings in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Tidal Investments LLC lifted its position in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 55.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,959 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 4,599 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC's holdings in Hershey were worth $2,195,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. State of Wyoming boosted its stake in Hershey by 96.3% in the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 420 shares of the company's stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares in the last quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Hershey by 52.8% in the fourth quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC now owns 3,173 shares of the company's stock worth $537,000 after buying an additional 1,096 shares during the last quarter. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC lifted its stake in shares of Hershey by 3.9% during the fourth quarter. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC now owns 2,541 shares of the company's stock worth $430,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the period. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hershey by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC now owns 19,631 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,324,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at $558,000. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the company's stock.

Hershey Stock Up 2.4%

Shares of NYSE:HSY traded up $3.66 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $159.01. The company had a trading volume of 1,874,661 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,787,478. The stock has a market capitalization of $32.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.58, a PEG ratio of 5.90 and a beta of 0.32. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $164.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $166.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The Hershey Company has a one year low of $140.13 and a one year high of $208.03.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.15. Hershey had a return on equity of 44.77% and a net margin of 19.83%. The company had revenue of $2.81 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.07 EPS. Hershey's quarterly revenue was down 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that The Hershey Company will post 6.12 earnings per share 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 given a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 16th. Hershey's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 67.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

HSY has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Hershey from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Piper Sandler downgraded shares of Hershey from a "neutral" rating to an "underweight" rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $153.00 to $120.00 in a report on Friday, January 31st. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Hershey from $170.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th. Bernstein Bank decreased their target price on shares of Hershey from $177.00 to $146.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Hershey from $170.00 to $160.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 7th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Hershey presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $161.40.

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.