The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Reduce” by Analysts

Shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) have been given an average recommendation of “Reduce” by the nineteen analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have issued a hold rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $189.33.

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of Hershey from $163.00 to $161.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Citigroup lowered Hershey from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $195.00 to $182.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. UBS Group downgraded Hershey from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $226.00 to $209.00 in a report on Monday, October 7th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Hershey from $195.00 to $180.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Hershey from $188.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 14th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hershey

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of HSY. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Hershey during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC raised its stake in shares of Hershey by 218.2% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 140 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Hershey by 55.0% in the second quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 155 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new position in Hershey during the second quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Hershey during the first quarter worth about $35,000. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Stock Performance

Hershey stock opened at $170.21 on Wednesday. Hershey has a 52 week low of $168.16 and a 52 week high of $211.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The stock has a market cap of $34.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.10 and a beta of 0.38. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $185.99 and a 200-day moving average of $191.40.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th will be issued a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 63.13%.

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.