Central Bank & Trust Co. Sells 2,346 Shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Central Bank & Trust Co. reduced its position in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 10.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,823 shares of the company's stock after selling 2,346 shares during the period. Central Bank & Trust Co.'s holdings in Hershey were worth $3,357,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hershey during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust raised its stake in Hershey by 248.0% during the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Hershey during the 3rd quarter valued at $46,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new position in Hershey during the 3rd quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its stake in Hershey by 61.7% during the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

HSY has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $180.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Citigroup dropped 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. Bank of America restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $180.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and issued a $183.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Mizuho dropped their target price on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $170.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 23rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hershey currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $175.00.

Hershey Price Performance

NYSE:HSY traded up $0.66 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $153.53. 1,742,651 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,040,400. The Hershey Company has a 12 month low of $150.31 and a 12 month high of $211.92. The company has a fifty day moving average of $171.34 and a 200 day moving average of $184.17. 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 stock has a market cap of $31.07 billion, a PE ratio of 17.69, a PEG ratio of 4.20 and a beta of 0.38.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th were paid a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.57%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. Hershey's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.13%.

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.