Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. Acquires 1,487 Shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 17.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 10,212 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,487 shares during the period. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc.’s holdings in Hershey were worth $1,730,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust grew its position in Hershey by 248.0% during the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Hershey in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $46,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC bought a new stake in Hershey in the third quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Hershey by 61.7% during the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on shares of Hershey from $150.00 to $134.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Hershey from $150.00 to $140.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on Hershey from $184.00 to $148.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have issued a hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $171.79.

Hershey Price Performance

Shares of HSY opened at $150.54 on Friday. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $169.13 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $183.26. The Hershey Company has a fifty-two week low of $147.60 and a fifty-two week high of $211.92. The stock has a market cap of $30.46 billion, a PE ratio of 17.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.28 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.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th were issued a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 63.13%.

Hershey Company 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.