The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) Shares Sold by Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC decreased its stake in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 0.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 167,490 shares of the company’s stock after selling 540 shares during the period. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC’s holdings in Hershey were worth $28,365,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hershey in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust boosted its stake in Hershey by 248.0% during the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the period. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Hershey during the 3rd quarter worth $46,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new stake in Hershey during the 3rd quarter worth $48,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. boosted its stake in Hershey by 61.7% during the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company’s stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Stock Performance

Shares of HSY opened at $150.54 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $169.54 and a 200-day simple moving average of $183.49. 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 company has a market capitalization of $30.46 billion, a PE ratio of 17.34, a P/E/G ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.38. The Hershey Company has a 52-week low of $147.60 and a 52-week high of $211.92.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th were issued a $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.64%. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is presently 63.13%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price target on shares of Hershey from $184.00 to $148.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Hershey from $171.00 to $151.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their price objective on shares of Hershey from $168.00 to $153.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have given a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $171.79.

Hershey Company 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.