Greenleaf Trust Sells 2,796 Shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Greenleaf Trust reduced its position in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 21.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,237 shares of the company's stock after selling 2,796 shares during the quarter. Greenleaf Trust's holdings in Hershey were worth $1,734,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Park Avenue Securities LLC raised its position in shares of Hershey by 1.1% in the third quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 5,646 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,083,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. Salomon & Ludwin LLC raised its holdings in Hershey by 23.3% in the 3rd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 333 shares of the company's stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the period. Forum Financial Management LP lifted its position in Hershey by 1.6% during the third quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 4,130 shares of the company's stock worth $792,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Avestar Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Hershey by 6.0% during the third quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 1,175 shares of the company's stock worth $225,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Finally, Northstar Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Hershey by 3.3% in the third quarter. Northstar Group Inc. now owns 2,239 shares of the company's stock valued at $429,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Hershey

In other Hershey news, CAO Jennifer Mccalman sold 278 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total transaction of $41,144.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,682 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $396,936. This represents a 9.39 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.34% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Hershey from $171.00 to $151.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Hershey from $170.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. They issued a "sell" rating and a $165.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a "sell" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have issued a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Hershey has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $167.10.

Hershey Price Performance

HSY stock traded up $1.22 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $145.96. 3,891,193 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,998,355. The Hershey Company has a 52 week low of $140.13 and a 52 week high of $211.92. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $165.80 and a 200 day moving average price of $181.22. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $29.53 billion, a PE ratio of 16.82, a P/E/G ratio of 4.30 and a beta of 0.37.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th were paid a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey's payout ratio 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.