Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Downgraded to "Sell" Rating by Wall Street Zen

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a note issued to investors on Sunday.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on shares of Hershey from $147.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Hershey from $178.00 to $175.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 2nd. DA Davidson boosted their target price on shares of Hershey from $162.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Hershey from $125.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, March 14th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Hershey from $173.00 to $165.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have issued a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $158.84.

Hershey Price Performance

NYSE HSY opened at $173.00 on Friday. 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 has a 12-month low of $140.13 and a 12-month high of $208.03. The company has a market capitalization of $35.05 billion, a PE ratio of 21.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.52 and a beta of 0.30. The firm's 50 day moving average is $165.42 and its 200-day moving average is $164.80.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.15. Hershey had a net margin of 15.32% and a return on equity of 38.70%. The company had revenue of $2.81 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.81 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.07 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was down 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Hershey will post 6.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other Hershey news, insider Rohit Grover sold 1,333 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total value of $233,275.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 39,402 shares in the company, valued at $6,895,350. This trade represents a 3.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CAO Jennifer Mccalman sold 974 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.11, for a total transaction of $153,025.14. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 2,994 shares in the company, valued at $470,387.34. This represents a 24.55% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 54,107 shares of company stock worth $9,008,118. Insiders own 0.34% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Hershey

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HSY. Montag & Caldwell LLC bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Putney Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Proffitt & Goodson Inc. bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the first quarter valued at $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company's stock.

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.

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