Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE Boosts Position in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE raised its position in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 9.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 54,412 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,674 shares during the quarter. Hershey accounts for about 1.7% of Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE’s holdings in Hershey were worth $9,215,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Hershey in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust grew its position in shares of Hershey by 248.0% during the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey during the third quarter worth approximately $46,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey during the third quarter worth approximately $48,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its position in shares of Hershey by 61.7% during the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company’s stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Stock Performance

HSY stock opened at $149.41 on Thursday. The Hershey Company has a 1 year low of $147.60 and a 1 year high of $211.92. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $168.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $182.73. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $30.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.21, a PEG ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.38.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were paid a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is currently 63.13%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

HSY has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $170.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and set a $183.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Bank of America reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $180.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. 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 report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on shares of Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 24th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company 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.