Mizuho Securities USA LLC Boosts Holdings in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Mizuho Securities USA LLC grew its stake in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 46.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,002 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 4,426 shares during the period. Mizuho Securities USA LLC's holdings in Hershey were worth $2,371,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Avestar Capital LLC raised its holdings in Hershey by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 1,175 shares of the company's stock worth $225,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A increased its position in shares of Hershey by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A now owns 3,240 shares of the company's stock worth $549,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the period. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Hershey by 1.0% during the third quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,151 shares of the company's stock worth $1,563,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its holdings in Hershey by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 5,438 shares of the company's stock valued at $921,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the period. Finally, Waterfront Wealth Inc. boosted its position in Hershey by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Waterfront Wealth Inc. now owns 5,744 shares of the company's stock valued at $973,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Hershey Stock Performance

Shares of Hershey stock traded up $2.27 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $170.79. 754,862 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,743,065. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $163.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $174.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.67, a PEG ratio of 5.90 and a beta of 0.32. The Hershey Company has a 12-month low of $140.13 and a 12-month high of $211.92.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $2.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.40 by $0.29. Hershey had a net margin of 19.83% and a return on equity of 44.77%. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Hershey Company will post 6.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 17th were given a dividend of $1.37 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 14th. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.21%. Hershey's dividend payout ratio is presently 50.28%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on HSY. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on Hershey from $150.00 to $134.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Hershey in a research report on Monday. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $183.00 price objective on the stock. DA Davidson decreased their target price on Hershey from $164.00 to $149.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on Hershey from $184.00 to $148.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, Bank of America reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $180.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and sixteen have given a hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $162.50.

Insider Transactions at Hershey

In related news, CAO Jennifer Mccalman sold 278 shares of the company's 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 sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,682 shares in the company, valued at approximately $396,936. This represents a 9.39 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.34% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.