Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. Grows Holdings in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 2.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,387,715 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 109,336 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Hershey were worth $841,476,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of HSY. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Hershey by 30,461.7% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 573,643 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,100,130,000 after purchasing an additional 571,766 shares during the last quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Hershey by 297.9% in the second quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 717,831 shares of the company’s stock valued at $131,959,000 after acquiring an additional 537,419 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA bought a new position in Hershey during the 2nd quarter valued at $82,123,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Hershey by 66.7% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 972,836 shares of the company’s stock worth $186,571,000 after acquiring an additional 389,404 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV increased its position in shares of Hershey by 1,194.0% in the 2nd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 249,347 shares of the company’s stock worth $45,837,000 after purchasing an additional 230,077 shares during the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Argus lowered Hershey from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Hershey from $202.00 to $180.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 11th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $163.00 to $161.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Citigroup lowered Hershey from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $195.00 to $182.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on Hershey from $191.00 to $199.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have issued a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Hershey has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $189.33.

Hershey Price Performance

Hershey stock traded down $0.22 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $173.78. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 49,960 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,697,684. The Hershey Company has a 12 month low of $168.16 and a 12 month high of $211.92. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The company has a market capitalization of $35.16 billion, a PE ratio of 20.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.08 and a beta of 0.38. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $185.50 and its 200-day moving average price is $191.28.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th will be given a $1.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.15%. 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.