#4 - Hershey (NYSE:HSY)
Returning to the consumer staples sector, you should consider The Hershey’s Company (NYSE: HSY) as a safe and sound low beta stock. In the last year, HSY stock has been up 52.2%, and that goes along with a dividend that yields 2.88%, which has been increasing for 15 years.
Like any company that makes chocolate, Hershey’s revenue and earnings will always be affected by the price of commodities. In this case, cocoa. That’s one reason HSY stock is down over 31% in the last 12 months. However, even with that pressure, in the company’s fourth quarter earnings report, its earnings per share of $2.02 were the same as in the prior year.
Some investors may be concerned about how revenue and earnings will fare as weight-loss drugs continue to gain popularity. But that’s why taking a long-term view with low beta stocks is important. Hershey’s has faced headwinds in the past and will face new ones in the future. However, through it all, HSY stock has proven to deliver long-term growth and shareholder value.
About Hershey
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.
Read More - Current Price
- $195.75
- Consensus Rating
- Hold
- Ratings Breakdown
- 3 Buy Ratings, 14 Hold Ratings, 3 Sell Ratings.
- Consensus Price Target
- $203.21 (3.8% Upside)
