Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Hits New 12-Month Low – Should You Sell?

The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $165.78 and last traded at $166.81, with a volume of 395130 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $169.03.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on HSY shares. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on shares of Hershey from $190.00 to $172.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $180.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and set a $183.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price objective on Hershey from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have issued a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hershey has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $182.21.

Hershey Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $32.88 billion, a PE ratio of 18.72, a P/E/G ratio of 4.38 and a beta of 0.38. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $175.13 and its 200 day moving average price is $185.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76.

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 dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.13%.

Institutional Trading of Hershey

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG bought a new position in shares of Hershey in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,337,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Hershey by 66.7% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 972,836 shares of the company’s stock valued at $186,571,000 after purchasing an additional 389,404 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Hershey by 61.9% during the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 120,159 shares of the company’s stock valued at $23,052,000 after buying an additional 45,936 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in Hershey by 10.0% in the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 320,680 shares of the company’s stock worth $58,951,000 after buying an additional 29,246 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pensionfund Sabic increased its position in Hershey by 55.6% during the fourth quarter. Pensionfund Sabic now owns 8,400 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,423,000 after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares during the last quarter. 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.