The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) Given Average Recommendation of "Reduce" by Analysts

The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) has received an average rating of "Reduce" from the twenty ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have issued a hold rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $161.40.

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on HSY shares. Bernstein Bank reduced their target price on Hershey from $177.00 to $146.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Hershey from $184.00 to $148.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on Hershey from $147.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Hershey from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $170.00 to $160.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 7th.

Hershey Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HSY opened at $170.01 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.41 billion, a PE ratio of 15.60, a P/E/G ratio of 5.90 and a beta of 0.32. Hershey has a fifty-two week low of $140.13 and a fifty-two week high of $211.92. 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 business has a fifty day moving average price of $168.56 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $168.66.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $2.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.81 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.07 earnings per share. Hershey's revenue for the quarter was down 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Hershey will post 6.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

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 $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.22%. Hershey's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 67.57%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hershey

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Montag & Caldwell LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hershey during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Putney Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Proffitt & Goodson Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Hershey during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Institutional investors 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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