Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Sets New 1-Year High on Analyst Upgrade

Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY)’s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday after Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on the stock from $185.00 to $207.00. Jefferies Financial Group currently has a neutral rating on the stock. Hershey traded as high as $202.72 and last traded at $201.2560, with a volume of 102719 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $198.01.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on HSY. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Hershey from $190.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of Hershey from $204.00 to $200.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Hershey in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Hershey in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $214.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and fifteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Hershey has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $197.56.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $198.67, for a total transaction of $298,005.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 52,319 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,394,215.73. This trade represents a 2.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Stacy Taffet bought 200 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $186.19 per share, for a total transaction of $37,238.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 9,371 shares in the company, valued at $1,744,786.49. The trade was a 2.18% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 6,000 shares of company stock worth $1,119,450. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the company’s stock.

Hershey News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Hershey this week:

• Positive Sentiment: DA Davidson raised its price target on HSY to $207, providing near-term upside support from a reputable analyst and likely contributing to buying interest. DA Davidson Raises Hershey Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Jefferies published a bullish forecast for strong price appreciation for Hershey, reinforcing positive sentiment among growth/value investors ahead of earnings. Jefferies Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation
• Positive Sentiment: Hershey rolled out an Easter product lineup (new Jolly Rancher Gummies Fruity Mix plus expanded Cadbury and Reese’s seasonal SKUs), a seasonal push that could lift near-term sales and margins if consumer response is strong. Hershey Easter Collection Press Release
• Neutral Sentiment: Market previews note Hershey reports earnings tomorrow; expectations and guidance will likely drive intraday volatility as investors focus on pricing, margins and international performance. Hershey Earnings Preview
• Neutral Sentiment: Benzinga’s earnings outlook summarizes analyst expectations and scenarios for HSY’s upcoming report — useful for gauging whether results could beat or miss consensus. Earnings Outlook For Hershey
• Neutral Sentiment: An overview of Hershey’s role in consumer staples and the S&P 500 underscores its defensive profile—important context for portfolio positioning but not an immediate price mover. Hershey Presence in S&P 500
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks highlights sector-wide margin strain and inflation-weary consumers; such headwinds could pressure Hershey’s margins and weigh on forward guidance if cost pass-through is limited. Consumer Staples Earnings to Watch
• Negative Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating with a $185 price target, signaling downside risk relative to current levels and reminding investors that disappointment in results/guidance could prompt selling. RBC Reaffirms Sector Perform

Institutional Trading of Hershey

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. increased its stake in Hershey by 1,537.5% in the 3rd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 131 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Hershey in the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Hershey during the second quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Stock Up 2.2%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $188.12 and a 200-day moving average of $185.26. The firm has a market cap of $41.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.77 and a beta of 0.18.

About Hershey

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is a leading North American chocolatier and snack manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The company develops, produces and markets a wide range of confectionery and snack products for retail, foodservice and international customers. Hershey’s business spans manufacturing, branded product marketing, packaging and distribution across grocery, convenience, mass merchant and e-commerce channels.

Hershey’s product portfolio centers on chocolate and sugar confectionery, including core brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses and Twizzlers, alongside non-chocolate snacks and confectionery brands.