Soltis Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY – Free Report) by 12.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 62,470 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 6,986 shares during the quarter. Soltis Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in Hershey were worth $9,846,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey in the second quarter valued at about $2,303,889,000. GQG Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hershey during the 2nd quarter worth about $485,436,000. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in shares of Hershey during the 2nd quarter worth about $274,871,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Hershey by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,210,466 shares of the company’s stock valued at $251,706,000 after purchasing an additional 19,772 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Hershey by 11.8% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,128,711 shares of the company’s stock valued at $198,032,000 after purchasing an additional 118,825 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company’s stock.
Hershey Price Performance
Shares of NYSE:HSY opened at $160.56 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.26 billion, a PE ratio of 21.93, a PEG ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03. Hershey Company has a 1-year low of $156.16 and a 1-year high of $239.48. The business’s 50 day moving average is $170.14 and its 200-day moving average is $189.16.
Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 29th. The company reported $2.64 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.11 by $0.53. The business had revenue of $3.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.25 billion. Hershey had a return on equity of 31.92% and a net margin of 12.24%. Hershey’s revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.30 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Hershey Company will post 8.47 earnings per share for the current year.
Hershey Announces Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be paid a $1.4520 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. This represents a $5.81 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is currently 79.37%.
Key Hershey News
Here are the key news stories impacting Hershey this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q3 earnings exceeded expectations. Hershey reported adjusted earnings of $2.64 per share, up sharply from $1.30 a year earlier and ahead of the roughly $2.11-$2.12 consensus. Revenue rose 3% year over year to $3.28 billion, also topping estimates. Pricing, cost relief and tariff refunds helped drive the margin improvement. HSY Q3 Earnings Top Estimates on Cost Relief and Pricing Gains
- Positive Sentiment: Management raised its 2026 earnings outlook following the strong quarter, supporting the near-term profit story. Analysts also remain constructive in some cases: Evercore raised its price target to $225 while maintaining an outperform rating. Evercore rating
- Positive Sentiment: Hershey is targeting 2%-4% sales growth in 2027 and plans to expand its innovation pipeline by approximately 50%, potentially supporting future product launches and growth. Hershey targets 2027 sales growth
- Neutral Sentiment: The quarterly dividend was maintained at $1.452 per common share, or $5.81 annualized, with a yield of approximately 3.6%. The payment is scheduled for December 15 for shareholders of record on November 16. Hershey declares quarterly dividends
- Negative Sentiment: Hershey reduced its 2026 organic sales-growth forecast. Management warned that higher prices and consumer financial pressure are hurting demand, particularly for Halloween candy. Hershey trims FY26 organic sales growth
- Negative Sentiment: Volume and market-share losses remain concerns. Pricing drove much of the revenue and profit growth, but weaker volumes raise questions about the sustainability of earnings gains and consumer acceptance of higher prices. Hershey continues to lose volume and market share
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
A number of research firms have issued reports on HSY. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Hershey from $193.00 to $183.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 15th. Evercore lifted their price target on Hershey from $210.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Hershey in a report on Friday. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $201.00 price objective (down from $208.00) on shares of Hershey in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “hold” rating and issued a $178.00 price objective (down from $190.00) on shares of Hershey in a research note on Wednesday, October 14th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $200.57.
Read Our Latest Stock Report on HSY
Hershey Profile
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is a global confectionery and snack food manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894, the company began as a chocolate producer and has grown into one of the largest branded snack businesses in North America.
Hershey’s portfolio includes chocolate, non-chocolate confectionery, gum and mints, and salty snacks. Its brands include Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Kit Kat in the United States under license from Nestlé, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop and Dot’s Pretzels.
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