Liberty One Investment Management LLC Increases Holdings in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Liberty One Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 10.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 23,259 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 2,267 shares during the period. Liberty One Investment Management LLC's holdings in Hershey were worth $3,939,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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

Hershey Stock Performance

NYSE:HSY traded down $1.20 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $152.82. 1,937,259 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,299,500. 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's fifty day moving average price is $171.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $184.39. The firm has a market cap of $30.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.31 and a beta of 0.38. The Hershey Company has a one year low of $150.31 and a one year high of $211.92.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were issued a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey's dividend payout ratio is 63.13%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HSY has been the topic of several analyst reports. 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 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Hershey from $171.00 to $151.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Citigroup reduced their target price on Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a "sell" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $180.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on Hershey from $195.00 to $180.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have given a hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Hershey has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $176.42.

Hershey 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.