Stifel Nicolaus Has Lowered Expectations for Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Stock Price

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) had its target price lowered by research analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $180.00 to $170.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “hold” rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus’ target price suggests a potential upside of 12.75% from the company’s previous close.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on shares of Hershey in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. They issued a “sell” rating and a $165.00 price target on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on shares of Hershey from $184.00 to $148.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and set a $183.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $165.00 to $159.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have given a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hershey presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $171.79.

Hershey Stock Performance

Shares of Hershey stock traded up $0.89 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $150.78. The company had a trading volume of 282,963 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,875,927. The stock has a market cap of $30.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.37, a PEG ratio of 4.28 and a beta of 0.38. 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 fifty day simple moving average of $170.12 and a 200 day simple moving average of $183.73. Hershey has a 12-month low of $147.60 and a 12-month high of $211.92.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of HSY. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Hershey in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust raised its holdings in Hershey by 248.0% in the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 174 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its position in Hershey by 61.7% in 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 in the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Hershey in the 3rd quarter valued at about $46,000. Finally, Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC acquired a new position in Hershey in the 3rd quarter valued at about $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

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.