Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Price Target Lowered to $180.00 at Barclays

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Barclays from $202.00 to $180.00 in a report published on Monday morning,Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an equal weight rating on the stock.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on HSY. Citigroup cut Hershey from a "neutral" rating to a "sell" rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $195.00 to $182.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. They set a "sell" rating and a $165.00 price objective for the company. Argus cut Hershey from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on Hershey from $200.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. 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. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have assigned a hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Hershey currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $189.33.

Hershey Trading Up 1.6 %

NYSE:HSY traded up $2.83 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $178.50. The company had a trading volume of 2,159,182 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,689,032. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $189.17 and a 200 day moving average price of $192.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.48. The company has a market capitalization of $36.11 billion, a PE ratio of 20.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.22 and a beta of 0.38. Hershey has a 52 week low of $171.67 and a 52 week high of $211.92.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th will be issued a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. Hershey's dividend payout ratio is currently 63.13%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hershey

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. increased its stake in shares of Hershey by 8.7% during the 3rd quarter. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 6,691 shares of the company's stock worth $1,283,000 after purchasing an additional 533 shares during the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Hershey by 73.6% in the 3rd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 11,257 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,159,000 after purchasing an additional 4,772 shares during the last quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Hershey by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC now owns 88,464 shares of the company's stock valued at $16,966,000 after purchasing an additional 979 shares during the last quarter. Portfolio Design Labs LLC bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the third quarter valued at $1,852,000. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Hershey by 18.9% during the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 28,085 shares of the company's stock worth $5,386,000 after buying an additional 4,464 shares during the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is owned by 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.