Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV Takes Position in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV purchased a new stake in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 1,307 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $251,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in HSY. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hershey in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC grew its stake in Hershey by 218.2% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 140 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Hershey by 55.0% during the 2nd quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 155 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new position in Hershey during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new position in Hershey during the 1st quarter worth $35,000. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Hershey Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE HSY opened at $178.77 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.85. The firm has a market cap of $36.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.25, a P/E/G ratio of 4.35 and a beta of 0.38. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $188.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $192.05. The Hershey Company has a 52 week low of $171.67 and a 52 week high of $211.92.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th will be issued a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is 63.13%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

HSY has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Argus cut Hershey from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Hershey in a research note on Monday, August 12th. They issued a “sell” rating and a $185.00 price target for the company. Citigroup cut Hershey from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $195.00 to $182.00 in a research note on Tuesday, August 27th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on Hershey from $163.00 to $161.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on Hershey from $205.00 to $183.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 8th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Hershey currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $189.33.

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.