Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. Acquires 2,223 Shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. raised its holdings in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 86.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,782 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,223 shares during the period. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc.’s holdings in Hershey were worth $810,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Hershey in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust increased its holdings in shares of Hershey by 248.0% in the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Hershey in the 3rd quarter worth $46,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hershey during the 3rd quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Hershey by 61.7% during the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company’s stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Stock Performance

NYSE:HSY opened at $152.82 on Monday. 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 twelve month low of $150.31 and a twelve month high of $211.92. The stock has a market cap of $30.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.31 and a beta of 0.38. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $171.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $184.39.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were given a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is currently 63.13%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup lowered their price target on Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on Hershey from $190.00 to $172.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Piper Sandler cut their target price on Hershey from $168.00 to $153.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Hershey from $150.00 to $140.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have assigned a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hershey presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $176.42.

Hershey 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.