The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) Position Cut by Lantz Financial LLC

Lantz Financial LLC decreased its position in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 2.0% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 9,823 shares of the company’s stock after selling 205 shares during the quarter. Lantz Financial LLC’s holdings in Hershey were worth $1,664,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY boosted its stake in Hershey by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY now owns 7,355 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,411,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the period. Park Avenue Securities LLC boosted its position in shares of Hershey by 1.1% during the third quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 5,646 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,083,000 after buying an additional 62 shares during the period. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its holdings in Hershey by 23.3% in the 3rd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 333 shares of the company’s stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Forum Financial Management LP increased its position in Hershey by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 4,130 shares of the company’s stock valued at $792,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the period. Finally, Avestar Capital LLC raised its stake in Hershey by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 1,175 shares of the company’s stock valued at $225,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Price Performance

NYSE HSY opened at $150.54 on Friday. The Hershey Company has a 1 year low of $147.60 and a 1 year high of $211.92. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $169.13 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $183.26. The company has a market cap of $30.46 billion, a PE ratio of 17.34, a PEG ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were given a $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.64%. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.13%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on HSY. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on Hershey from $168.00 to $153.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of Hershey from $150.00 to $134.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Bank of America reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $180.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $170.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating and issued a $183.00 target price on shares of Hershey in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have given a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $171.79.

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.