Ultime notizie per Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Azioni

Hershey

Hershey is a leading confectionery manufacturer in the us (around a $25 billion market), controlling around 36% of the domestic chocolate space (per Euromonitor). Beyond its namesake label, the firm's mix has expanded over the last 85 years and now consists of 100 brands, including Reese's, Kit Kat, Kisses, and Ice Breakers. Hershey's products are sold in about 80 countries, albeit with just a high-single-digit percentage of sales coming from markets outside the us, including Brazil, India, and Mexico. The firm has sought inorganic opportunities to extend its reach beyond its core confection business, adding Amplify Snack Brands and its Skinny Pop ready-to-eat popcorn to its mix, Pirate Brands, and Dot's Pretzels over the past few years.

The Hershey Co

HARMONIC DRIVE SYS INC by Harmonic Drive Systems, Inc.

Harmonic Drive Systems Inc

Jefferies analyst Rob Dickerson downgrades Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) from Hold to Underperform and lowers the price target from $184 to $163.

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Jefferies Downgrades Hershey to Underperform, Lowers Price Target to $163

Barclays analyst Andrew Lazar maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Equal-Weight and lowers the price target from $204 to $202.

Barclays Maintains Equal-Weight on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $202

General Mills (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gis#NYSE">GIS</a>) can provide a hedge if volatility continues to plague the S&amp;P 500. The company is amid a business transformation telegraphed in its price action, which is set up for a significant reversal after more than a year of lackluster performance.&nbsp;
The transformation includes selling its yogurt business, which will lighten the portfolio and shore up the fortress balance sheet. This will allow management to focus on core markets, international growth, and local gems that drive margin while providing steady capital returns.&nbsp;
The bonus is the stock beta. General Mills has trades with a 5-year beat of 0.1 and a 2-year beta of -.2, suggesting little to no correlation to the&nbsp; S&amp;P 500; if the broad market falls, General Mills trends will be unaffected and may even get an added boost from a flight to safety.&nbsp;
<h2>General Mills Post Earnings Dip Is A Buying Opportunity That Won&#39;t Last Long</h2>
General Mills share prices fell following the FQ1 release, opening a buying opportunity that will likely last only a short time. The results and guidance were good, with Q1 performance being better than expected, and guidance was reaffirmed. The problem is that Q1 strength didn&#39;t carry through to the guidance, suggesting the remainder of the year could be tepid relative to expectations. However, the $4.85 billion in revenue is down only 1% compared to last year, outperforming by 100 basis points, and aligns with the outlook for turnaround, resumed organic growth, and capital returns, which counts over the long term.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The margin news is just as mixed, with margins contracting but less than expected, leaving earnings down compared to last year but better than forecast. The salient detail is that although net earnings are down 14%, the $580 million is sufficient to sustain the fortress balance sheet and the capital return. The $1.07 in adjusted earnings gives a 55% quarterly dividend payout ratio, which is sustainable and expected to improve as the year progresses. It also leaves room for share repurchases, which have been aggressive.&nbsp;
The guidance is good enough. The company forecasts sequential improvement in revenue and earnings and YOY organic growth to return by the end of the year, not including the sale of the yogurt business. That is expected to close in 2025 and will impact reported results for the following twelve months by approximately 3% on a diluted basis.&nbsp;
<h2>General Mills Capital Return Is Top-Tier and Expected to Accelerate</h2>
General Mills&#39; financial condition is rock solid and allows for substantial capital return,&nbsp;including dividends and share buybacks. The dividend is attractive at 3.25% and only 16x earnings, a high-yield value compared to the broad market and leading consumer staples peers like Hormel (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hrl#NYSE">HRL</a>), Hershey (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hsy#NYSE">HSY</a>), and Kellanova (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/k#NYSE">K</a>), which trade at 20x, 21x, and nearly 22x their earnings outlooks, respectively.&nbsp;
Balance sheet highlights from Q1 include reduced cash, increased debt, and reduced equity, but repurchases and treasury stock offset those factors. The company repurchased $300 million of shares during the quarter, reducing the average count by 4.65% year over year and increasing the treasury holdings by nearly 20%. Repurchases have slowed compared to last year due to the contraction of revenue and earnings, and they may not accelerate soon. However, buybacks are likely to continue at a float-reducing pace through the year&#39;s end, and the company plans to use proceeds from the yogurt sale to boost activity once closed.&nbsp;
<h2>General Mills Share Price Supported by an Expectation for Lower Interest Rates</h2>
General Mills&#39; share price has steadily risen since mid-July, when the CPI report sparked a massive broad-market sell-off after signaling a high probability that the FOMC would lower interest rates this year. The signal is that risk-off investment dollars, once focused on higher-yielding bonds, have turned to quality dividend growth stocks like General Mills, which still present value and yield for investors today.&nbsp;
The technical action since July suggests a double-bottom reversal pattern is now in play, and price action has retreated to a critical support target. The critical target is the 30-day EMA, which aligns with highs earlier this year. If support is confirmed at this level, investors can expect GIS stock to continue higher and complete the reversal by year&#39;s end. If not, GIS stock could fall to the $70 level or lower before hitting solid support.&nbsp;
<img alt="General Mills GIS stock chart" class="aligncenter" src="https://www.marketbeat.com/logos/articles/med_20240918104246_chart-gis-9182024.png" style="height:426px; width:917px" />
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/stock-ideas/why-general-mills-is-the-perfect-hedge-for-s-and-p-500-volatility/">Why General Mills Is the Perfect Hedge for S&amp;P 500 Volatility</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

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Why General Mills Is the Perfect Hedge for S&P 500 Volatility

Hershey (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hsy#NYSE">HSY</a>) closed the latest trading day at $198.46, indicating a -0.08% change from the previous session&#39;s end. The stock&#39;s change was less than the S&amp;P 500&#39;s daily gain of 0.75%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.58%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 1%.
Heading into today, shares of the chocolate bar and candy maker had lost 0.99% over the past month, lagging the Consumer Staples sector&#39;s gain of 3.54% and the S&amp;P 500&#39;s gain of 4.03% in that time.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Hershey in its upcoming release. The company is expected to report EPS of $2.78, up 6.92% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $3.13 billion, indicating a 3.39% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $9.50 per share and a revenue of $11.36 billion, indicating changes of -0.94% and +1.78%, respectively, from the former year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Hershey. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the company&#39;s business outlook.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To take advantage of this, we&#39;ve established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.11% lower. Hershey is currently a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Looking at its valuation, Hershey is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 20.91. This represents a premium compared to its industry&#39;s average Forward P/E of 19.09.
It is also worth noting that HSY currently has a PEG ratio of 5.77. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company&#39;s expected earnings growth rate into account. The average PEG ratio for the Food - Confectionery industry stood at 3.92 at the close of the market yesterday.
The Food - Confectionery industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 234, positioning it in the bottom 8% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2335559/hershey-hsy-stock-drops-despite-market-gains-important-facts-to-note?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_6v2-2335559">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Hershey Stock Drops Despite Market Gains: Important Facts to Note

The Hershey Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) shares are trading slightly higher premarket Monday. Hershey has reportedly asked a U.S. judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging it misled consumers about Reese&#8217;s peanut butter candies.
In its request, Hershey criticized the class action litigation as baseless, targeting issues related to product packaging, reported Reuters.
The report noted that the consumers suing Hershey expressed disappointment over the lack of details on nine Reese&#8217;s products, including pumpkin-shaped candies missing eyes and crooked mouths, and a football-shaped candy resembling an egg due to missing stitching.
The report quoted Hershey saying, &#8220;This lawsuit is yet another in a growing trend of baseless class actions founded on nothing but a consumer&#8217;s selective, subjective, and result-driven interpretation of one isolated aspect of a product&#8217;s packaging without considering its full context.&#8221;
&#8220;Not a single plaintiff claims the product was unfit for consumption or was anything other than what consumers have come to love and expect from this iconic brand&#8211;a delicious treat.&#8221;
Notably, the Florida plaintiffs suing Hershey—Nathan Vidal, Debra Kennick, Abdjul Martin, and Eduardo Granados—are seeking at least $5 million in damages.
Last month, Hershey reported second-quarter EPS that fell 36.8% to $1.27, missing estimates with sales of $2.07 billion down 16.7% from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/08/40099246/hershey-shares-melt-q2-earnings-and-sales-miss-targets-amid-consumer-spending-slump" rel="noreferrer noopener">expectations of $2.31 billion</a>.
Investors can gain exposure to the stock via Vesper US Large Cap Short-Term Reversal Strategy ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTRN#NYSE">UTRN</a>) and First Trust Nasdaq Food &amp; Beverage ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTXG#NASDAQ">FTXG</a>).
Price Action: HSY shares are up 0.45% at $200.70 premarket at the last check Monday.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/08/40321537/packaged-food-sector-to-see-mixed-performance-amid-economic-headwinds-goldman-sachs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Packaged Food Sector To See Mixed Performance Amid Economic Headwinds: Goldman Sachs</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Equities

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FTXG

Vesper US Large Cap Short-Term Reversal Strategy ETF

UTRN

Don't Judge A Candy By Its Cover - Hershey Reportedly Defends Lawsuit Against Reese's Candies

Hershey's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) short percent of float has risen 31.85% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 7.34 million shares sold short, which is 5.63% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 4.65 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Hershey Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1725048017_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Hershey has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Hershey's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Hershey's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 4.09%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

How Is The Market Feeling About Hershey?

The Nasdaq 100 closed higher by around 0.3% during Tuesday's session. Investors, meanwhile, focused on some notable insider trades.
When insiders sell shares, it could be a preplanned sale, or could indicate their concern in the company's prospects or that they view the stock as being overpriced. Insider sales should not be taken as the only indicator for making an investment or trading decision. At best, it can lend conviction to a selling decision.
Below is a look at a few recent notable insider sales. For more, check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">Benzinga&#8217;s insider transactions</a> platform.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">AutoNation</h3>
<ul>
<li>The Trade: AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AN#NYSE">AN</a>) 10% owner Edward S Lampert <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">sold a total of 50,419 shares</a> at an average price of $182.72. The insider received around $9.2 million from selling those shares.</li>
<li>What's Happening: On July 31, AutoNation posted downbeat quarterly earnings.</li>
<li>What AutoNation Does: AutoNation is the second largest automotive dealer in the United States, with 2023 revenue of about $27 billion and over 250 dealerships, plus 53 collision centers.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro's real-time newsfeed alerted to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent082824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">latest AN news</a>.</li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent082824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="902" height="826" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080048/image-275.png" alt="" class="wp-image-518127" style="width:665px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080048/image-275.png 902w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080048/image-275-300x275.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080048/image-275-768x703.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 902px) 100vw, 902px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">T-Mobile</h3>
<ul>
<li>The Trade: T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>) Director Raul Marcelo Claure <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">sold a total of 114,588 shares</a> at an average price of $197.89. The insider received around $22.7 million from selling those shares.</li>
<li>What's Happening: On July 31, T-Mobile reported adjusted quarterly earnings of $2.49 per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $2.28 per share.</li>
<li>What T-Mobile Does: Deutsche Telekom merged its T-Mobile USA unit with prepaid specialist MetroPCS in 2013, and that firm merged with Sprint in 2020, creating the second-largest wireless carrier in the us T-Mobile now serves 77 million postpaid and 21 million prepaid phone customers, equal to around 30% of the us retail wireless market.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro&#8217;s charting tool helped identify the <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent082824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">trend in TMUS stock.</a></li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent082824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="912" height="845" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080201/image-276.png" alt="" class="wp-image-518137" style="width:721px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080201/image-276.png 912w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080201/image-276-300x278.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080201/image-276-768x712.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 912px) 100vw, 912px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Coinbase Global</h3>
<ul>
<li>The Trade: Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) Chief People Officer Lawrence J Brock <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">sold a total of 15,610 shares</a> at an average price of $207.78. The insider received around $3.2 million from selling those shares.</li>
<li>What's Happening: On Aug. 5, Needham analyst John Todaro reiterated Coinbase Glb with a Buy and maintained a $260 price target.</li>
<li>What Coinbase Global Does: Founded in 2012, Coinbase is the leading cryptocurrency exchange platform in the United States. </li>
<li>Benzinga Pro&#8217;s signals feature notified of a potential <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent082824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">breakout in COIN shares.</a> </li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent082824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="885" height="831" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080309/image-277.png" alt="" class="wp-image-518140" style="width:671px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080309/image-277.png 885w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080309/image-277-300x282.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080309/image-277-768x721.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hershey</h3>
<ul>
<li>The Trade: The Hershey Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) SVP, CHR &amp; Transf. Officer Christopher M Scalia <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/">sold a total of 5,000 shares</a> at an average price of $197.04. The insider received around $985,200 from selling those shares.</li>
<li>What's Happening: On Aug. 28, Citigroup downgraded the stock from Neutral to Sell and lowered its price target from $195 to $182.</li>
<li>What Hershey Does: Hershey is a leading confectionery manufacturer in the US (around a $25 billion market), controlling around 36% of the domestic chocolate space (per Euromonitor).</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro&#8217;s insiders feature was used to track insider trading <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent082824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">activities in HSY&#8217;s stock.</a></li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent082824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="878" height="816" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080609/image-278.png" alt="" class="wp-image-518158" style="width:651px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080609/image-278.png 878w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080609/image-278-300x279.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28080609/image-278-768x714.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 878px) 100vw, 878px" /></a></figure>
Check This Out:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/08/40596469/4-5m-bet-on-this-consumer-cyclical-stock-check-out-these-3-stocks-executives-are-buying"> </a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/08/40596469/4-5m-bet-on-this-consumer-cyclical-stock-check-out-these-3-stocks-executives-are-buying">$4.5M Bet On This Consumer Cyclical Stock? Check Out These 3 Stocks Executives Are Buying</a></li>
</ul>

Insider Trades

Pre-Market Outlook

COIN

TMUS

Coinbase Global, Hershey And 2 Other Stocks Executives Are Selling

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page.</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/58f9fdc60bd991000159a4c1/eric-wold">B. Riley Securities analyst Eric Wold</a> downgraded the rating for Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNK#NYSE">CNK</a>) from Buy to Neutral and maintained the price target of $31. Cinemark shares gained 1.3% to close at $28.17 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CNK/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Citigroup analyst Thomas Palmer downgraded The Hershey Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) from Neutral to Sell and slashed the price target from $195 to $182. Hershey shares rose 0.04% to close at $196.41 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HSY/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/66267b7c68f1bf000101d455/peter-skibitski">Alembic Global analyst Peter Skibitski</a> downgraded the rating for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) from Overweight to Neutral and announced a price target of $560. Northrop Grumman shares gained 0.5% to close at $512.00 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NOC/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Citigroup analyst Alicia Yap downgraded PDD Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>) from Buy to Neutral and cut the price target from $194 to $120. PDD shares dipped 28.5% to settle at $100.00 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PDD/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/58933b2243eaaa0001698f56/jason-mccarthy">Maxim Group analyst Jason McCarthy</a> downgraded the rating for Cyclo Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CYTH#NASDAQ">CYTH</a>) from Buy to Hold. Cyclo Therapeutics shares rose 6.1% to close at $0.8277 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CYTH/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
Considering buying HSY stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="517" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/27085814/image-268-1024x517.png" alt="" class="wp-image-516105" style="width:483px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/27085814/image-268-1024x517.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/27085814/image-268-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/27085814/image-268-768x387.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/27085814/image-268.png 1330w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>

CYTH

Citigourp Global Markets 2% Protected Notes Linked To The Djia

This Hershey Analyst Turns Bearish; Here Are Top 5 Downgrades For Tuesday

WIIM

Hershey shares are trading lower after Citigroup downgraded the stock from Neutral to Sell and lowered its price target from $195 to $182.

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page.</a>
<ul>
<li>Truist Securities raised the price target for AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVB#NYSE">AVB</a>) from $213 to $230. Truist Securities analyst Michael Lewis maintained a Hold rating. AvalonBay Communities shares fell 0.8% to close at $219.92 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AVB/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>HC Wainwright &amp; Co. lowered the price target for Versus Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VS#NASDAQ">VS</a>) from $2 to $1.5. HC Wainwright &amp; Co. analyst Scott Buck maintained a Neutral rating. Versus Systems shares fell 4.3% to close at $1.35 on Monday.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VS/analyst-ratings"> See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Roth MKM raised Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTRA#NYSE">CTRA</a>) price target from $25 to $29. Roth MKM analyst Leo Mariani upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy. Coterra Energy shares gained 0.2% to close at $24.20 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CTRA/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Citigroup cut the price target for The Hershey Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) from $195 to $182. Citigroup analyst Thomas Palmer downgraded the stock from Neutral to Sell. Hershey shares gained 0.04% to close at $196.41 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HSY/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Bernstein raised Twilio Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TWLO#NYSE">TWLO</a>) price target from $68 to $70. Bernstein analyst Peter Weed maintained a Market Perform rating. Twilio shares fell 0.2% to close at $60.67 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TWLO/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Keybanc raised Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCOI#NASDAQ">CCOI</a>) price target from $80 to $90. Keybanc analyst Brandon Nispel maintained an Overweight rating. Cogent Communications shares fell 0.2% to close at $72.81 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AVB/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Needham increased the price target for Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSSC#NASDAQ">NSSC</a>) from $52 to $57. Needham analyst James Ricchiuti maintained a Buy rating. Napco Security shares fell 14.6% to close at $47.38 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NSSC/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Morgan Stanley boosted The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>) price target from $70 to $78. Morgan Stanley analyst Dara Mohsenian maintained an Overweight rating. Coca-Cola shares gained 1.5% to close at $70.84 on Monday.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/KO/analyst-ratings"> See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Benchmark raised Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FYBR#NASDAQ">FYBR</a>) price target from $35 to $37. Benchmark analyst Matthew Harrigan maintained a Buy rating. Frontier Communications shares rose 2.9% to close at $29.46 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FYBR/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Evercore ISI Group raised Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) price target from $710 to $750. Evercore ISI Group analyst Mark Mahaney maintained an Outperform rating. Netflix shares rose 0.3% to close at $688.44 on Monday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NFLX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
Considering buying Netflix stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="522" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/27083103/image-266-1024x522.png" alt="" class="wp-image-516014" style="width:618px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/27083103/image-266-1024x522.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/27083103/image-266-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/27083103/image-266-768x392.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/27083103/image-266.png 1327w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>

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CTRA

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TWLO

Netflix To Rally Around 9%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Tuesday

Citigroup analyst Thomas Palmer downgrades Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) from Neutral to Sell and lowers the price target from $195 to $182.

Citigroup Downgrades Hershey to Sell, Lowers Price Target to $182

These ten large-cap stocks were the worst performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TME#NYSE">TME</a>) shares dipped 18.18% after the company reported a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40333133" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second-quarter revenue miss</a>. Several analysts cut <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40333133" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the price target on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>Mobileye Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MBLY#NASDAQ">MBLY</a>) stock fell 5.92% last week. RBC Capital lowered its price target on the stock <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/mbly/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">from $34 to $24</a>.</li>
<li>Rivian Automotive Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) stock declined 5.37% after it reportedly halted production of the electric commercial van it makes for Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) due to a parts deficit in the latest supply chain chaos.</li>
<li>Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>) stock decreased 4.87% after the company announced that Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40376234" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">would be leaving.</a> Several analysts revised ratings and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40367589" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price targets on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>Lineage Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LINE#NASDAQ">LINE</a>) stock lost 4.08% in the last week.</li>
<li>Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SIRI#NASDAQ">SIRI</a>) stock fell 3.85% last week after gaining earlier in the week on reports of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) increasing its stake in the company.</li>
<li>Hershey Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) stock lost 3.23% after Goldman Sachs issued a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40321537" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sell rating and</a> a price target of $185 on the stock.</li>
<li>Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAX#NYSE">BAX</a>) shares were down 2.80% after the company announced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/40342215">definitive agreement to divest</a> its Vantive Kidney Care segment to Carlyle Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CG#NASDAQ">CG</a>) for $3.8 billion.</li>
<li>Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BR#NYSE">BR</a>) declined 2.76%.</li>
<li>United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTHR#NASDAQ">UTHR</a>) shares decreased 2.38%.</li>
</ol>
Also Read:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/08/40431642/nvidia-starbucks-and-dell-are-among-top-10-large-cap-gainers-last-week-aug-11-aug-17-are-the-other" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NVIDIA, Starbucks And Dell Are Among Top 10 Large Cap Gainers Last Week (Aug 11-Aug 17): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
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Photo courtesy Rivian

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Rivian, Chipotle Mexican And Sirius XM Are Among Top 10 Large Cap Losers Last Week (Aug 11-Aug 17): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

Argus Research analyst Taylor Conrad downgrades Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) from Buy to Hold.

Argus Research Downgrades Hershey to Hold

Goldman Sachs analyst Leah Jordan initiated coverage of the packaged food sector. The analyst writes that growth in the sector has slowed following the Covid demand surge and inflation, but some companies are undervalued near historic lows.
The analyst expects food-at-home spending to grow at a low-single-digit rate, supported by both volume and pricing due to strong consumer cash flow.
Jordan initiated coverage on ConAgra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAG#NYSE">CAG</a>) with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/Cag/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy rating and price target of $36</a>.
The analyst views CAG favorably due to its strong frozen and snack portfolio aligned with convenience trends, offering better-than-expected results and the highest free cash flow yield in the coverage. The company&#8217;s transformation, including the Pinnacle Foods acquisition and process overhaul, has been underappreciated by investors, particularly given the Covid-related market shifts, writes the analyst.
For FY25-27, the analyst estimates EPS of $2.67, $2.78, and $2.89 vs. the consensus (FactSet) of $2.61, $2.70, and $2.82, respectively, reflecting a more optimistic outlook on volume and mix trends.
Related: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/39728345/conagra-falls-short-on-q4-revenue-amid-unfavorable-price-mix" rel="noreferrer noopener">ConAgra Falls Short On Q4 Revenue Amid Unfavorable Price Mix</a>
The analyst initiated coverage on General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>), with a Buy rating <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/gis/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">and price target of $76</a>.
GIS&#8217; diverse portfolio aligns with current trends, has less private label risk than feared, and demonstrates stronger margins compared to peers, writes the analyst. The analyst forecasts stable gross margins for GIS, with gradual improvement supported by moderating input cost inflation and ongoing productivity gains.
For FY25-27, Jordan projects EPS of $4.55, $4.75, and $4.95, compared to the consensus (FactSet) of $4.50, $4.73, and $4.94, respectively.
Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/06/39501521/pillsbury-maker-general-mills-annual-profit-outlook-disappoints-stock-falls" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pillsbury Maker General Mills Annual Profit Outlook Disappoints, Stock Falls</a>
Jordan initiated coverage on Kellanova (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/K#NYSE">K</a>) with a Neutral rating <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/k/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">and a price target of $75</a>.
The spin-off of its North American cereal business has enhanced growth and margins. While strong earnings are expected from its brand strength and emerging market exposure, takeover speculation has dampened investor sentiment, says the analyst.
For FY24-26, Jordan estimates EPS of $3.80, $3.97, and $4.21 compared to the consensus (FactSet) of $3.70, $3.89, and $4.10, respectively.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40152783/cheez-it-and-pringles-maker-kellanova-acquisition-eyed-by-snickers-fame-mars-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cheez-It And Pringles Maker Kellanova Acquisition Eyed By Snickers-Fame Mars: Report</a>
Moreover, the analyst started coverage of Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>) with a Buy rating and a $80 price target.
The analyst writes that MDLZ is seen as a high-quality investment with strong growth potential, driven by organic opportunities and emerging market exposure. Recent stock underperformance has been linked to market share losses and higher U.S. biscuit pricing pressures, but trends are improving, and the company is actively addressing these challenges.
For FY24-26, EPS estimates were $3.52/$3.70/$3.95 above the consensus (FactSet) of $3.50/$3.67/$3.94.
Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/40078219/mondelez-analysts-boost-their-forecasts-after-upbeat-earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mondelez Analysts Boost Their Forecasts After Upbeat Earnings</a>
On the other hand, the analyst started coverage on The Hershey Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Sell rating <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/hsy/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">and a price target of $185</a>.
The analyst sees risks of estimate revisions and valuation compression for HSY due to ongoing market share losses to both private label and premium products, a potential slowdown in impulse spending, and fewer holiday shopping days. However, the analyst writes that HSY&#8217;s strong portfolio of industry-leading sweet and salty brands positions it well in the long term.
For FY24-26, the analyst anticipates EPS of $9.39/$9.10/$9.86 below the consensus (FactSet) of $9.54/$9.52/$10.29, reflecting a weaker demand and margin outlook for confectionery business, market share losses, and expected higher promotional activity and input costs.
Related: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/08/40099246/hershey-shares-melt-q2-earnings-and-sales-miss-targets-amid-consumer-spending-slump" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hershey Shares Melt: Q2 Earnings And Sales Miss Targets Amid Consumer Spending Slump</a>
Also, the analyst initiated coverage of The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KHC#NASDAQ">KHC</a>) with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/khc/analyst-ratings">Sell rating and price target of $34.</a>
The analyst says that KHC&#8217;s turnaround is likely to be slower and more challenging than expected due to high private label risks and mixed brand positioning. The company faces the task of reinvesting in its assets and brands after past cost-cutting damaged core assets, adds the analyst.
For FY24-26, the analyst estimates EPS of $2.97, $3.04, and $3.20, below the consensus (FactSet) of $3.03, $3.18, and $3.35, due to a weaker North American outlook, increased promotional pressure from high private label risk, and prior underinvestment.
Related: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/08/40110709/analysts-remain-bullish-on-kraft-heinz-despite-sales-decline-cost-efficiencies-and-" rel="noreferrer noopener">Analysts Remain Bullish on Kraft Heinz Despite Sales Decline: Cost Efficiencies and Future Foodservice Initiatives Boost Optimism</a>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image by Melissa from Pixabay
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Analyst Color

Mid Cap

Initiation

MDLZ

Packaged Food Sector To See Mixed Performance Amid Economic Headwinds: Goldman Sachs

In the preceding three months, 13 analysts have released ratings for Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>), presenting a wide array of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">10</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Providing deeper insights, analysts have established 12-month price targets, indicating an average target of $198.23, along with a high estimate of $230.00 and a low estimate of $179.00. This current average has decreased by 3.07% from the previous average price target of $204.50. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1723474853_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study</h2>
An in-depth analysis of recent analyst actions unveils how financial experts perceive Hershey. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Leah Jordan</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Sell</td>
<td>$185.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nik Modi</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$209.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ken Goldman</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$188.00</td>
<td>$183.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steve Powers</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$191.00</td>
<td>$192.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thomas Palmer</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
<td>$188.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steve Powers</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$192.00</td>
<td>$197.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thomas Palmer</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$188.00</td>
<td>$204.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexia Howard</td>
<td>Bernstein</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$230.00</td>
<td>$237.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bryan Spillane</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Lavery</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$179.00</td>
<td>$179.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chris Carey</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Lazar</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$204.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Taylor Conrad</td>
<td>Argus Research</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$225.00</td>
<td>$240.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Hershey. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of Hershey compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for Hershey's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations.</li>
</ul>
To gain a panoramic view of Hershey's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HSY/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Hershey analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Hershey</h2>
Hershey is a leading confectionery manufacturer in the us (around a $25 billion market), controlling around 36% of the domestic chocolate space (per Euromonitor). Beyond its namesake label, the firm's mix has expanded over the last 85 years and now consists of 100 brands, including Reese's, Kit Kat, Kisses, and Ice Breakers. Hershey's products are sold in about 80 countries, albeit with just a high-single-digit percentage of sales coming from markets outside the us, including Brazil, India, and Mexico. The firm has sought inorganic opportunities to extend its reach beyond its core confection business, adding Amplify Snack Brands and its Skinny Pop ready-to-eat popcorn to its mix, Pirate Brands, and Dot's Pretzels over the past few years.
<h3>A Deep Dive into Hershey's Financials</h3>
Market Capitalization: Boasting an elevated market capitalization, the company surpasses industry averages. This signals substantial size and strong market recognition.
Decline in Revenue: Over the 3 months period, Hershey faced challenges, resulting in a decline of approximately -16.7% in revenue growth as of 30 June, 2024. This signifies a reduction in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Consumer Staples sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 8.72%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Hershey's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 4.46%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Hershey's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 1.46% ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns.
Debt Management: Hershey's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 1.44. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.
<h2>The Significance of Analyst Ratings Explained</h2>
Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Beyond their standard evaluations, some analysts contribute predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, furnishing investors with additional guidance. Users of analyst ratings should be mindful that this specialized advice is shaped by human perspectives and may be subject to variability.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Critical Insights From Hershey Analyst Ratings: What You Need To Know

Goldman Sachs analyst Leah Jordan initiates coverage on Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Sell rating and announces Price Target of $185.

Goldman Sachs Initiates Coverage On Hershey with Sell Rating, Announces Price Target of $185

Hershey's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) short percent of float has risen 21.07% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 4.71 million shares sold short, which is 3.62% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.41 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Hershey Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1722968119_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Hershey has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Hershey's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Hershey's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 4.46%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Looking Into Hershey's Recent Short Interest

RBC Capital analyst Nik Modi maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Sector Perform and lowers the price target from $209 to $205.

RBC Capital Maintains Sector Perform on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $205

JP Morgan analyst Ken Goldman maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $183 to $188.

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on Hershey, Raises Price Target to $188

Deutsche Bank analyst Steve Powers maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Hold and lowers the price target from $192 to $191.

Deutsche Bank Maintains Hold on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $191

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