Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by equities researchers at UBS Group from $236.00 to $215.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “neutral” rating on the stock. UBS Group’s price target suggests a potential upside of 4.22% from the company’s current price.
Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and set a $250.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and issued a $185.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. TD Cowen reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Hershey in a report on Friday, February 6th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Hershey from $210.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and sixteen have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $222.21.
Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on HSY
Hershey Stock Performance
Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $1.71 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.40 by $0.31. Hershey had a return on equity of 27.90% and a net margin of 7.55%.The firm had revenue of $3.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.97 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.69 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. Hershey has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.200-8.520 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Hershey will post 6.12 earnings per share for the current year.
Insiders Place Their Bets
In other news, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $216.71, for a total transaction of $325,065.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 59,869 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,974,210.99. This represents a 2.44% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Jason Reiman sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.07, for a total transaction of $452,140.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 41,036 shares in the company, valued at $9,277,008.52. This represents a 4.65% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 10,000 shares of company stock worth $2,195,945 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hershey
Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. raised its holdings in shares of Hershey by 16.6% during the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 29,551 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,378,000 after buying an additional 4,215 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors boosted its stake in Hershey by 53.5% in the fourth quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 5,485 shares of the company’s stock valued at $998,000 after buying an additional 1,912 shares in the last quarter. Meadowbrook Advisors Group LLC bought a new position in Hershey in the fourth quarter valued at about $2,029,000. Larry Mathis Financial Planning LLC bought a new position in Hershey in the fourth quarter valued at about $236,000. Finally, Advisortrust Partners LLC acquired a new position in Hershey during the fourth quarter worth about $336,000. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Key Hershey News
Here are the key news stories impacting Hershey this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Hershey pledged to return Reese’s to its classic recipe and to use real chocolate after public complaints, reducing reputational risk and likely protecting sales of a marquee product. Hershey’s Promises to Use Only Real Chocolate After Backlash
- Positive Sentiment: Market sentiment improved as investors reacted favorably to the recipe reversal and product concession to a prominent critic, supporting a short-term uplift in the stock. Hershey Stock (HSY) Looks Sweeter After Company Promises Return to Classic Reese’s
- Neutral Sentiment: Management reaffirmed its 2026 outlook but warned the broader recovery could be slower, which supports current guidance but signals more gradual margin improvement ahead — a mixed near-term read for investors. Hershey stock eyes rebound after reaffirming 2026 outlook, flags longer-term recovery
- Neutral Sentiment: TD Cowen reiterated a Hold, noting Hershey’s EPS growth plan is credible but margin durability is unproven — this limits analyst-driven upside until margin improvement is demonstrated. Hershey: Convincing EPS Growth Plan but Unproven Margin Durability Supports Hold Rating
- Negative Sentiment: UBS cut its price target (and set a Neutral rating), trimming near-term upside expectations and signaling analyst caution that can cap share gains. UBS lowes price target
- Negative Sentiment: Deutsche Bank has also lowered its expectations for HSY, adding to the chorus of analyst conservatism that could pressure the stock if more revisions follow. Deutsche Bank Lowers Expectations for Hershey
Hershey Company Profile
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.
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