The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) Shares Sold by UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lowered its stake in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY - Free Report) by 7.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,174,619 shares of the company's stock after selling 98,484 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned approximately 0.58% of Hershey worth $225,268,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of HSY. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Hershey by 30,461.7% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 573,643 shares of the company's stock worth $1,100,130,000 after acquiring an additional 571,766 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA acquired a new stake in Hershey in the second quarter valued at $82,123,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Hershey by 66.7% in the third 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. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its holdings in Hershey by 1,194.0% in 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 last quarter. Finally, Douglas Lane & Associates LLC grew its holdings in Hershey by 744.1% in the second quarter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC now owns 167,085 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,715,000 after purchasing an additional 147,291 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company's stock.

Hershey Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of HSY stock traded up $2.04 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $176.13. The company had a trading volume of 1,525,225 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,698,233. 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 Hershey Company has a twelve month low of $168.16 and a twelve month high of $211.92. The company has a market capitalization of $35.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.17 and a beta of 0.38. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $182.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $190.05.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th will be paid a $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.11%. Hershey's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 63.13%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have weighed in on HSY shares. Piper Sandler upped their target price on Hershey from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Hershey from $188.00 to $180.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 14th. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on Hershey in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. They issued a "sell" rating and a $165.00 target price on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Hershey from $195.00 to $180.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Citigroup downgraded Hershey from a "neutral" rating to a "sell" rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $195.00 to $182.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hershey presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $189.33.

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.