Intech Investment Management LLC Has $2.16 Million Stock Position in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Intech Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 73.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,257 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 4,772 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Hershey were worth $2,159,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Hershey by 218.2% during the second quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 140 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Hershey by 55.0% in the second quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 155 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey in the second quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Gradient Investments LLC increased its position in Hershey by 71.9% during the second quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 251 shares of the company’s stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the period. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on HSY shares. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $180.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Hershey in a research note on Monday, August 12th. They set a “sell” rating and a $185.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group downgraded Hershey from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $226.00 to $209.00 in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on Hershey from $205.00 to $183.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Hershey from $163.00 to $161.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $189.33.

Hershey Price Performance

Shares of HSY stock opened at $174.81 on Monday. The Hershey Company has a 52 week low of $168.16 and a 52 week high of $211.92. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $184.51 and its 200-day moving average is $190.90. 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 has a market capitalization of $35.37 billion, a PE ratio of 20.14, a PEG ratio of 4.19 and a beta of 0.38.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.37 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.13%. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 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.