Lido Advisors LLC Boosts Holdings in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Lido Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 232.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,665 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 4,661 shares during the period. Lido Advisors LLC's holdings in Hershey were worth $1,129,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Montag & Caldwell LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hershey during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Hershey during the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Grove Bank & Trust lifted its position in shares of Hershey by 248.0% during the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new stake in Hershey during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new stake in Hershey in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Hershey Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE HSY traded up $3.35 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $170.01. 1,539,216 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,771,169. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $168.60 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $168.65. The Hershey Company has a twelve month low of $140.13 and a twelve month high of $211.92. The firm has a market cap of $34.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.60, a PEG ratio of 5.90 and a beta of 0.32.

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

Hershey Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be issued a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.22%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. Hershey's payout ratio is currently 67.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on HSY shares. Barclays upped their price target on Hershey from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday. TD Cowen decreased their price target on Hershey from $190.00 to $172.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. UBS Group dropped their price target on Hershey from $175.00 to $170.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Piper Sandler lowered shares of Hershey from a "neutral" rating to an "underweight" rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $153.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, 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 research report on Friday, March 14th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have issued a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hershey has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $161.40.

Hershey 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.