Bath Savings Trust Co Sells 2,205 Shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Bath Savings Trust Co trimmed its stake in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 19.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 9,299 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,205 shares during the period. Bath Savings Trust Co’s holdings in Hershey were worth $1,575,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Hershey during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Hershey by 55.0% during the second quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 155 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Hershey in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hershey in the third quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Finally, Quarry LP increased its holdings in Hershey by 123.9% during the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 300 shares of the company’s stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 166 shares in the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on HSY shares. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on Hershey in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. They set a “sell” rating and a $165.00 price target for the company. Sanford C. Bernstein cut Hershey from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $230.00 to $205.00 in a report on Monday, October 7th. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $170.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Hershey from $195.00 to $180.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Hershey from $188.00 to $180.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 14th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have given a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $184.06.

Hershey Price Performance

HSY stock traded down $1.15 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $165.59. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 477,168 shares, compared to its average volume of 905,655. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $33.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.38 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a 50 day moving average of $175.42 and a two-hundred day moving average of $186.05. The Hershey Company has a 12 month low of $165.50 and a 12 month high of $211.92.

Hershey Announces Dividend

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 $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.31%. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is presently 63.13%.

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.