Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Hits New 12-Month Low – Should You Sell?

Shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $165.78 and last traded at $166.81, with a volume of 395130 shares. The stock had previously closed at $169.03.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Hershey from $163.00 to $161.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Mizuho dropped their target price on Hershey from $195.00 to $170.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on Hershey from $195.00 to $180.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of Hershey from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hershey currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $182.21.

Hershey Stock Down 1.8 %

The company has a market capitalization of $32.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.38 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a 50-day moving average of $175.13 and a two-hundred day moving average of $185.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th were given a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.37%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is presently 63.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of HSY. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Hershey during the third quarter valued at $25,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Hershey by 55.0% in the second quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 155 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Hershey during the third quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hershey during the third quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Finally, Quarry LP raised its holdings in Hershey by 123.9% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 300 shares of the company’s stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.