KBC Group NV Has $10.49 Million Stake in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

KBC Group NV lifted its position in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 5.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 54,701 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,071 shares during the period. KBC Group NV's holdings in Hershey were worth $10,490,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Hershey by 14.2% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 17,341,721 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,372,965,000 after buying an additional 2,158,912 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Hershey by 30,461.7% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 573,643 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,100,130,000 after acquiring an additional 571,766 shares during the period. Confluence Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hershey by 297.9% during the 2nd quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 717,831 shares of the company's stock worth $131,959,000 after purchasing an additional 537,419 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA bought a new position in shares of Hershey in the second quarter worth $82,123,000. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Hershey by 66.7% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 972,836 shares of the company's stock worth $186,571,000 after purchasing an additional 389,404 shares during the period. 57.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hershey Trading Down 4.5 %

Shares of HSY stock traded down $8.02 on Friday, hitting $170.92. The company had a trading volume of 3,656,501 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,803,311. The Hershey Company has a twelve month low of $170.58 and a twelve month high of $211.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.85. The firm has a market cap of $34.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.69, a P/E/G ratio of 4.10 and a beta of 0.38. The stock's 50-day moving average is $187.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $191.79.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th will be given a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. Hershey's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.13%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on HSY. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Hershey from $188.00 to $180.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 14th. Argus downgraded Hershey from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. 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. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Hershey from $191.00 to $199.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Hershey from $195.00 to $180.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have assigned a hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $189.33.

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.