Avior Wealth Management LLC Boosts Stock Position in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 6.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,048 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 175 shares during the quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Hershey were worth $516,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on HSY. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating and issued a $183.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Mizuho reduced their price objective on Hershey from $195.00 to $170.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 23rd. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on Hershey from $168.00 to $153.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have issued a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Hershey has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $171.79.

Hershey Stock Up 0.4 %

Hershey stock opened at $150.54 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $169.13 and a 200-day simple moving average of $183.26. The company has a market capitalization of $30.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.34, a PEG 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. The Hershey Company has a fifty-two week low of $147.60 and a fifty-two week high of $211.92.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

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

Hershey 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.