Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Given New $170.00 Price Target at Stifel Nicolaus

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) had its price target cut by Stifel Nicolaus from $180.00 to $170.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a hold rating on the stock.

A number of other research firms have also recently commented on HSY. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on Hershey from $150.00 to $134.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Barclays lowered their target price on Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Mizuho reduced their price target 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. Sanford C. Bernstein cut shares of Hershey from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $230.00 to $205.00 in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Finally, UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Hershey from $189.00 to $163.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $171.79.

Hershey Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:HSY opened at $150.54 on Friday. Hershey has a 1 year low of $147.60 and a 1 year high of $211.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $169.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $183.49.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s payout ratio is 63.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY lifted 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 acquiring an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC lifted 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 valued at $1,083,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC lifted its position in shares of Hershey by 23.3% during the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 333 shares of the company’s stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Forum Financial Management LP boosted its holdings in Hershey by 1.6% during the third quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 4,130 shares of the company’s stock worth $792,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avestar Capital LLC grew its position in Hershey by 6.0% in the 3rd quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 1,175 shares of the company’s stock worth $225,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.