The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) Shares Sold by McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc.

McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc. lowered its stake in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 16.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,335 shares of the company’s stock after selling 261 shares during the quarter. McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc.’s holdings in Hershey were worth $226,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust lifted its stake in Hershey by 248.0% during the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. boosted its position in shares of Hershey by 61.7% during the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company’s stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the third quarter worth $46,000. Finally, Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey in the third quarter valued at $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Stock Performance

Shares of HSY opened at $149.41 on Thursday. 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 Hershey Company has a 52-week low of $147.60 and a 52-week high of $211.92. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $168.39 and a 200 day moving average price of $182.73. The company has a market capitalization of $30.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.38.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The business 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 dividend yield of 3.67%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 63.13%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

HSY has been the topic of several research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on Hershey from $184.00 to $148.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and issued a $183.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. 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 note on Thursday, January 16th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Hershey from $150.00 to $140.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price 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.