Quantinno Capital Management LP Boosts Holdings in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its holdings in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 312.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 28,963 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 21,947 shares during the quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP’s holdings in Hershey were worth $4,905,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in HSY. Capital International Investors boosted its holdings in shares of Hershey by 31.4% in the fourth quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 12,460,147 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,110,126,000 after buying an additional 2,980,997 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Hershey during the 4th quarter worth approximately $80,978,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Hershey by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,635,390 shares of the company’s stock worth $785,003,000 after acquiring an additional 247,675 shares during the period. Freestone Grove Partners LP bought a new stake in Hershey during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,902,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in Hershey by 10.8% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,578,957 shares of the company’s stock worth $267,396,000 after acquiring an additional 154,238 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Stock Down 3.2%

NYSE:HSY opened at $158.49 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $32.08 billion, a PE ratio of 14.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.90 and a beta of 0.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The company has a 50-day moving average of $166.36 and a 200 day moving average of $167.77. The Hershey Company has a 1-year low of $140.13 and a 1-year high of $209.65.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.15. Hershey had a net margin of 19.83% and a return on equity of 44.77%. The business had revenue of $2.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.81 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.07 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was down 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that The Hershey Company will post 6.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be issued a dividend of $1.37 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.46%. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 67.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on HSY. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Hershey from $170.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price target on shares of Hershey from $147.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Hershey from $173.00 to $165.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Bernstein Bank cut their price objective on shares of Hershey from $177.00 to $146.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Hershey from $125.00 to $132.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Friday, March 14th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have assigned a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hershey presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $161.40.

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.