Stifel Nicolaus Cuts Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Price Target to $170.00

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) had its price objective trimmed by Stifel Nicolaus from $180.00 to $170.00 in a report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a hold rating on the stock.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Citigroup reduced their price target on Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on Hershey from $150.00 to $134.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 17th. Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $170.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 23rd. Finally, Bank of America reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $180.00 target price on shares of Hershey in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Hershey has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $171.79.

Hershey Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of Hershey stock opened at $150.54 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.34, a P/E/G ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.38. Hershey has a 52-week low of $147.60 and a 52-week high of $211.92. 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 stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $169.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $183.49.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Trading of Hershey

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY raised its holdings in Hershey by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY now owns 7,355 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,411,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC increased its position in shares of Hershey by 1.1% in the third quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 5,646 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,083,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the period. Salomon & Ludwin LLC raised its stake in shares of Hershey by 23.3% during the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 333 shares of the company’s stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Forum Financial Management LP boosted its holdings in shares of Hershey by 1.6% during the third quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 4,130 shares of the company’s stock worth $792,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. Finally, Avestar Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Hershey by 6.0% in the third quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 1,175 shares of the company’s stock worth $225,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

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.