Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. Grows Stock Holdings in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its holdings in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 1.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,516 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 190 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V.’s holdings in Hershey were worth $1,950,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Park Avenue Securities LLC grew its position in Hershey by 1.1% in the third 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 shares of Hershey by 23.3% in the 3rd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 333 shares of the company’s stock worth $64,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Forum Financial Management LP increased its position in shares of Hershey by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 4,130 shares of the company’s stock valued at $792,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Avestar Capital LLC raised its holdings in Hershey by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 1,175 shares of the company’s stock valued at $225,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the period. Finally, Northstar Group Inc. lifted its position in Hershey by 3.3% in the third quarter. Northstar Group Inc. now owns 2,239 shares of the company’s stock worth $429,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $170.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 23rd. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Hershey in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. They issued a “sell” rating and a $165.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group dropped their target price on Hershey from $189.00 to $163.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded Hershey from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $230.00 to $205.00 in a report on Monday, October 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on Hershey from $150.00 to $134.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $169.79.

Hershey Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:HSY opened at $147.67 on Tuesday. 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 $29.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.30 and a beta of 0.38. The Hershey Company has a 52 week low of $146.48 and a 52 week high of $211.92. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $166.93 and a 200 day moving average of $181.87.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed 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 of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.71%. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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.