Hershey (HSY) Projected to Post Quarterly Earnings on Thursday

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) is expected to be announcing its earnings results before the market opens on Thursday, February 6th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $2.40 per share and revenue of $2.85 billion for the quarter. Investors that are interested in participating in the company’s conference call can do so using this link.

Hershey Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HSY opened at $147.67 on Tuesday. Hershey has a fifty-two week low of $146.48 and a fifty-two week high of $211.92. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $166.93 and a 200-day moving average of $181.87. 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 stock has a market cap of $29.88 billion, a PE ratio of 17.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.30 and a beta of 0.38.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were given a dividend of $1.37 per share. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. Hershey’s payout ratio is 63.13%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have issued reports on HSY. Bank of America reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $180.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and set a $178.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research note on Monday. Barclays dropped their price target on Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on Hershey from $180.00 to $170.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price target on Hershey from $190.00 to $172.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have given a hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Hershey currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $169.79.

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.