The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) Shares Sold by Courier Capital LLC

Courier Capital LLC trimmed its stake in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 9.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 1,821 shares of the company’s stock after selling 180 shares during the quarter. Courier Capital LLC’s holdings in Hershey were worth $308,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hershey in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its holdings in Hershey by 61.7% in the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Hershey in the third quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new position in Hershey during the third quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Finally, City State Bank grew its stake in Hershey by 210.0% during the fourth quarter. City State Bank now owns 310 shares of the company’s stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Stock Performance

Shares of Hershey stock opened at $155.62 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $31.49 billion, a PE ratio of 17.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.38 and a beta of 0.38. The Hershey Company has a 1 year low of $154.46 and a 1 year high of $211.92. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $173.19 and its 200-day simple moving average is $185.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.85.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is presently 63.13%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HSY has been the topic of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Hershey from $188.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 14th. Mizuho reduced their price objective on Hershey from $195.00 to $170.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 23rd. Piper Sandler increased their target price on Hershey from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on Hershey in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. They set a “sell” rating and a $165.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $163.00 to $161.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have given a hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $182.21.

Hershey 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.