The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) Shares Sold by Wesbanco Bank Inc.

Wesbanco Bank Inc. decreased its position in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 33.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,700 shares of the company’s stock after selling 850 shares during the quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc.’s holdings in Hershey were worth $288,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hershey during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust boosted its position in shares of Hershey by 248.0% during the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Hershey during the 3rd quarter valued at about $46,000. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hershey during the 3rd quarter valued at about $48,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. boosted its position in shares of Hershey by 61.7% during the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 262 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Stock Up 0.4 %

HSY stock opened at $150.54 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $169.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $183.49. 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 Hershey Company has a fifty-two week low of $147.60 and a fifty-two week high of $211.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.34, a PEG ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.38.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were paid a dividend of $1.37 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.64%. Hershey’s payout ratio is 63.13%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

HSY has been the topic of several recent research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on shares of Hershey from $184.00 to $148.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and issued a $183.00 target price on shares of Hershey in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic started coverage on shares of Hershey in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. They issued a “sell” rating and a $165.00 target price on the stock. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have assigned a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $171.79.

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.