Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Given New $170.00 Price Target at Barclays

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) had its price objective decreased by Barclays from $180.00 to $170.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an equal weight rating on the stock.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded Hershey from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $230.00 to $205.00 in a report on Monday, October 7th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target 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. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $180.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price objective on Hershey from $190.00 to $172.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have issued a hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $176.42.

Hershey Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:HSY opened at $152.82 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The business’s 50 day moving average is $171.86 and its 200 day moving average is $184.39. The stock has a market cap of $30.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.31 and a beta of 0.38. Hershey has a 52-week low of $150.31 and a 52-week high of $211.92.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th were issued a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 63.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HSY. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust grew its holdings in Hershey by 248.0% during the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its position in Hershey by 61.7% during the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Hershey in the third quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Finally, Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC purchased a new stake in Hershey in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $48,000. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Hershey

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.