Analysts Set The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) PT at $171.79

The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Reduce" by the twenty brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and fourteen have assigned a hold recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $171.79.

HSY has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a "sell" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Hershey in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. They set a "sell" rating and a $165.00 target price for the company. Sanford C. Bernstein cut Hershey from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating and cut their price target for the stock from $230.00 to $205.00 in a report on Monday, October 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on Hershey from $184.00 to $148.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on Hershey from $150.00 to $134.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 21st.

Hershey Trading Up 1.9 %

NYSE:HSY traded up $2.77 on Monday, reaching $152.00. 1,645,800 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,900,789. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.38. The company's 50 day moving average is $167.90 and its 200-day moving average is $182.50. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. Hershey has a 1-year low of $147.60 and a 1-year high of $211.92.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th were paid a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.61%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. Hershey's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.13%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hershey

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG purchased a new stake in Hershey in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,337,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Hershey by 66.7% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 972,836 shares of the company's stock valued at $186,571,000 after acquiring an additional 389,404 shares during the last quarter. Woodstock Corp boosted its position in shares of Hershey by 34.8% during the 4th quarter. Woodstock Corp now owns 6,896 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,168,000 after acquiring an additional 1,780 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its position in Hershey by 61.9% in the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 120,159 shares of the company's stock worth $23,052,000 after buying an additional 45,936 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pensionfund Sabic lifted its position in Hershey by 55.6% in the 4th quarter. Pensionfund Sabic now owns 8,400 shares of the company's stock worth $1,423,000 after buying an additional 3,000 shares during the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.