Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE Has $9.19 Million Stock Holdings in Hershey Company (The) $HSY

Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE grew its stake in shares of Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY) by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 55,400 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the period. Hershey makes up 1.7% of Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. Lawson Kroeker Investment Management Inc. NE’s holdings in Hershey were worth $9,194,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in HSY. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. bought a new position in Hershey in the first quarter worth approximately $28,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new position in shares of Hershey during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Hershey by 129.5% in the 1st quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 179 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. Fort Vancouver Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Hershey in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, MorganRosel Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Hershey in the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Rohit Grover sold 1,334 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.00, for a total transaction of $240,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 38,068 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,852,240. This represents a 3.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 5,000 shares of Hershey stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.00, for a total transaction of $900,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 61,319 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,037,420. This represents a 7.54% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 65,704 shares of company stock valued at $12,206,910. 0.34% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Hershey from $175.00 to $208.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. DA Davidson upped their target price on shares of Hershey from $171.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, August 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Hershey in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $187.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Hershey from $154.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Hershey from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $175.89.

Hershey Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HSY opened at $192.19 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $38.96 billion, a PE ratio of 25.52, a PEG ratio of 4.64 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $186.17 and its 200-day moving average price is $174.13. Hershey Company has a twelve month low of $140.13 and a twelve month high of $208.03.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.21 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $2.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.50 billion. Hershey had a return on equity of 37.36% and a net margin of 13.54%.Hershey’s revenue was up 26.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.27 earnings per share. Hershey has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.809-5.997 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Hershey Company will post 6.12 EPS for the current year.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 15th were paid a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 15th. Hershey’s payout ratio is presently 72.78%.

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.