Smart Money Group LLC Buys 208 Shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Smart Money Group LLC raised its stake in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 9.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,476 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 208 shares during the period. Smart Money Group LLC’s holdings in Hershey were worth $419,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Hershey during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust boosted its stake in shares of Hershey by 248.0% in the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey during the third quarter worth $46,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC bought a new position in Hershey during the third quarter worth $48,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. lifted its holdings in Hershey by 61.7% in the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Trading Down 0.8 %

NYSE:HSY opened at $152.82 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $30.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.31 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.85. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $171.86 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $184.39. The Hershey Company has a 52 week low of $150.31 and a 52 week high of $211.92.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on HSY. TD Cowen decreased their price target on Hershey from $190.00 to $172.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and issued a $183.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Hershey from $189.00 to $163.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Barclays dropped their target price 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, Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of Hershey from $168.00 to $153.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have issued a hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target 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.