UBS Group Has Lowered Expectations for Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Stock Price

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) had its price objective trimmed by UBS Group from $189.00 to $163.00 in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. TD Cowen dropped their price target on Hershey from $190.00 to $172.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $180.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Hershey from $160.00 to $150.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. They issued a “sell” rating and a $165.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating and set a $183.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Hershey has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $176.42.

Hershey Stock Down 0.8 %

HSY opened at $152.82 on Thursday. Hershey has a twelve month low of $150.31 and a twelve month high of $211.92. 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 firm has a 50 day moving average price of $171.86 and a 200-day moving average price of $184.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.61, a PEG ratio of 4.31 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 paid a dividend of $1.37 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.59%. Hershey’s payout ratio is currently 63.13%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hershey

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Hershey in the third quarter worth $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust raised its stake in shares of Hershey by 248.0% in the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. boosted its stake 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 worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Hershey during the 3rd quarter valued at about $46,000. Finally, Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC purchased a new stake in Hershey in the 3rd quarter worth about $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

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.