AMI Investment Management Inc. Increases Position in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

AMI Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 2.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 11,005 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 288 shares during the period. AMI Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Hershey were worth $1,864,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Mechanics Bank Trust Department boosted its holdings in Hershey by 44.8% in the fourth quarter. Mechanics Bank Trust Department now owns 2,700 shares of the company’s stock valued at $457,000 after purchasing an additional 835 shares in the last quarter. Smart Money Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Hershey by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. Smart Money Group LLC now owns 2,476 shares of the company’s stock worth $419,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust boosted 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 valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Hershey by 10.8% in the 4th quarter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC now owns 23,259 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,939,000 after buying an additional 2,267 shares during the last quarter. Finally, J2 Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in Hershey during the 4th quarter worth $348,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Stock Performance

HSY opened at $152.82 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The stock has a market cap of $30.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.61, a P/E/G ratio of 4.31 and a beta of 0.38. The Hershey Company has a 1-year low of $150.31 and a 1-year high of $211.92. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $171.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $184.39.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were paid a $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.59%. Hershey’s payout ratio is 63.13%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have issued reports on HSY. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of Hershey from $163.00 to $161.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and issued a $183.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of Hershey from $190.00 to $172.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Hershey from $150.00 to $140.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Finally, Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $170.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 23rd. Six equities 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, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $176.42.

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.