The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) Stock Holdings Increased by Studio Investment Management LLC

Studio Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 17.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,077 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 314 shares during the quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Hershey were worth $398,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Hershey by 55.0% in the second quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 155 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY boosted its position in Hershey by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY now owns 7,355 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,411,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the period. Wesbanco Bank Inc. grew its stake in Hershey by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. now owns 1,673 shares of the company’s stock worth $308,000 after buying an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in Hershey by 2.3% in the second quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 2,631 shares of the company’s stock valued at $484,000 after buying an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Valley Brook Capital Group Inc. lifted its position in Hershey by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Valley Brook Capital Group Inc. now owns 4,067 shares of the company’s stock valued at $748,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Hershey from $188.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 14th. Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of Hershey from $200.00 to $195.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Hershey from $163.00 to $161.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. UBS Group lowered shares of Hershey from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $226.00 to $209.00 in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on Hershey from $205.00 to $183.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 8th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Hershey currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $189.33.

Hershey Stock Down 0.1 %

HSY stock opened at $174.81 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.14, a P/E/G ratio of 4.19 and a beta of 0.38. The Hershey Company has a 52-week low of $168.16 and a 52-week high of $211.92. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $184.51 and its 200-day simple moving average is $191.01.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 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.