Analysts Set Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY) PT at $170.83

Shares of Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of "Reduce" from the eighteen research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have assigned a hold rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $171.2222.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Hershey from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Hershey in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $187.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Hershey from $173.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Hershey from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, July 28th. Finally, DA Davidson increased their target price on shares of Hershey from $171.00 to $188.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, August 4th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hershey

In related news, CEO Michele Buck sold 19,290 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $194.00, for a total transaction of $3,742,260.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 193,624 shares of the company's stock, valued at $37,563,056. The trade was a 9.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.00, for a total transaction of $900,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 61,319 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,037,420. This represents a 7.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 86,127 shares of company stock worth $15,759,755. Insiders own 0.34% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hershey

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Choreo LLC increased its position in Hershey by 3.6% in the second quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 1,708 shares of the company's stock worth $283,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. lifted its position in shares of Hershey by 4.9% during the second quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 1,312 shares of the company's stock valued at $218,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont increased its holdings in shares of Hershey by 2.4% during the first quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 2,691 shares of the company's stock valued at $460,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Hershey by 12.3% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 567 shares of the company's stock valued at $94,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ignite Planners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Hershey by 5.2% during the first quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 1,278 shares of the company's stock worth $214,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.96% of the company's stock.

Hershey Trading Down 0.3%

NYSE HSY traded down $0.60 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $184.95. 871,541 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,110,049. Hershey has a one year low of $140.13 and a one year high of $208.03. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $180.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of $171.71. The stock has a market cap of $37.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.56, a P/E/G ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 0.89.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.23. The business had revenue of $2.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.50 billion. Hershey had a net margin of 13.54% and a return on equity of 37.36%. Hershey's quarterly revenue was up 26.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.27 earnings per share. Hershey has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.809-5.997 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Hershey will post 6.12 EPS for the current year.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be given a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. Hershey's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 72.78%.

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.