Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc. Purchases 596 Shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 3.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 20,052 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 596 shares during the period. Hershey makes up about 2.1% of Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc.’s holdings in Hershey were worth $3,396,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust increased its holdings in shares of Hershey by 248.0% in the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its position in shares of Hershey by 61.7% during the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Hershey during the 3rd quarter worth $46,000. Finally, Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC purchased a new position in Hershey in the third quarter worth $48,000. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Hershey

In related news, CAO Jennifer Mccalman sold 278 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total transaction of $41,144.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,682 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $396,936. This trade represents a 9.39 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.29% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

HSY has been the topic of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on Hershey from $184.00 to $148.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 24th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Hershey from $189.00 to $163.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 16th. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Hershey from $190.00 to $172.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic began coverage on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. They issued a “sell” rating and a $165.00 price target for the company. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $169.79.

Hershey Stock Down 2.0 %

Shares of NYSE HSY opened at $144.78 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $166.37 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $181.55. The Hershey Company has a 12 month low of $143.95 and a 12 month high of $211.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.30 billion, a PE ratio of 16.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.30 and a beta of 0.38.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th were issued a $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.79%. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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.