The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) Stock Position Lessened by LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI

LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI trimmed its holdings in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 63.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 22,315 shares of the company's stock after selling 38,435 shares during the period. LVM Capital Management Ltd. MI's holdings in Hershey were worth $3,779,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Hershey by 30,461.7% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 573,643 shares of the company's stock worth $1,100,130,000 after buying an additional 571,766 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA acquired a new position in Hershey during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $82,123,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in 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 during the period. State Street Corp grew its position in Hershey by 5.8% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,029,551 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,348,127,000 after acquiring an additional 386,670 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its stake in shares of Hershey by 1,194.0% during the second quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 249,347 shares of the company's stock valued at $45,837,000 after purchasing an additional 230,077 shares during the period. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on HSY shares. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price 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. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. They set a "sell" rating and a $165.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Hershey from $160.00 to $150.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. TD Cowen reduced their price target on Hershey from $190.00 to $172.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on Hershey from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $182.21.

Hershey Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE HSY traded down $3.82 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $158.40. The company had a trading volume of 3,027,672 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,724,911. The Hershey Company has a 12 month low of $156.10 and a 12 month high of $211.92. The stock has a market cap of $32.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.25, a PEG ratio of 4.38 and a beta of 0.38. 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 firm's 50 day simple moving average is $174.11 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $185.41.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th were paid a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. Hershey's payout ratio is 63.13%.

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.