Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Given New $149.00 Price Target at DA Davidson

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) had its price target lowered by DA Davidson from $164.00 to $149.00 in a research note published on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the stock. DA Davidson also issued estimates for Hershey’s Q1 2025 earnings at $1.98 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $6.02 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $6.45 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on HSY. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Hershey from $150.00 to $140.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Citigroup upgraded Hershey from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $159.00 to $154.00 in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price target on Hershey from $184.00 to $148.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Bank of America restated a “neutral” rating and set a $180.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Bernstein Bank reduced their price objective on Hershey from $177.00 to $146.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and sixteen have given a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hershey presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $164.15.

Hershey Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of Hershey stock opened at $158.13 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.51, a PEG ratio of 4.89 and a beta of 0.37. Hershey has a fifty-two week low of $140.13 and a fifty-two week high of $211.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.96. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $163.49 and a 200 day moving average of $179.86.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.40 by $0.29. Hershey had a return on equity of 44.77% and a net margin of 19.83%. As a group, research analysts predict that Hershey will post 6.77 earnings per share for the current year.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 17th will be paid a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is presently 50.28%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hershey

In other Hershey news, CAO Jennifer Mccalman sold 278 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total transaction of $41,144.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,682 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $396,936. This trade represents a 9.39 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.34% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hershey

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Grove Bank & Trust grew its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. 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.