Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Reaches New 1-Year Low - Should You Sell?

The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $165.78 and last traded at $166.81, with a volume of 395130 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $169.03.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on Hershey in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. They issued a "sell" rating and a $165.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Hershey from $188.00 to $180.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of Hershey from $191.00 to $199.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Hershey from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price target on Hershey from $195.00 to $170.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 23rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hershey presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $184.61.

Hershey Stock Down 1.4 %

The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The business's fifty day moving average price is $175.74 and its 200 day moving average price is $186.16. The company has a market capitalization of $33.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.20, a P/E/G ratio of 4.38 and a beta of 0.38.

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 issued a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey's payout ratio is 63.13%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hershey

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of HSY. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Hershey by 5.8% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,029,551 shares of the company's stock worth $1,348,127,000 after purchasing an additional 386,670 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Hershey by 2.6% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,387,715 shares of the company's stock worth $841,476,000 after buying an additional 109,336 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Hershey by 1.0% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,753,751 shares of the company's stock worth $717,606,000 after buying an additional 35,688 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Hershey by 66.7% in the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 972,836 shares of the company's stock worth $186,571,000 after acquiring an additional 389,404 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Hershey by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 964,748 shares of the company's stock worth $185,027,000 after acquiring an additional 29,507 shares in the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.