Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Reaches New 12-Month Low – Time to Sell?

The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $155.76 and last traded at $156.99, with a volume of 89729 shares. The stock had previously closed at $157.28.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Hershey from $171.00 to $151.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Piper Sandler raised their price target on Hershey from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating and issued a $183.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Citigroup cut their target price on Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Hershey from $160.00 to $150.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $180.68.

Hershey Stock Performance

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 company has a market capitalization of $30.71 billion, a PE ratio of 17.48, a PEG ratio of 4.31 and a beta of 0.38. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $173.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $185.04.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were given a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s payout ratio is currently 63.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of HSY. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey during the third quarter worth $25,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its stake in Hershey by 61.7% during the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Hershey in the third quarter valued at about $46,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hershey in the third quarter worth about $48,000. Finally, City State Bank boosted its position in Hershey by 210.0% in the fourth quarter. City State Bank now owns 310 shares of the company’s stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

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.