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Jennifer McCalman, Hershey Co .’s (NYSE:HSY) Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, recently sold 974 shares of the company’s common stock. The shares were sold at a price of $157.11 each, amounting to a total transaction value of $153,025. Following this sale, McCalman retains ownership of 2,994 shares. The transaction occurred as Hershey, currently valued at $32.6 billion, trades near InvestingPro’s Fair Value estimate. The company maintains strong dividend credentials, having paid dividends for 55 consecutive years with a current yield of 3.5%.
The transaction was executed on May 28, 2025, under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan that McCalman adopted on February 25, 2025. Such plans are often used by company insiders to facilitate stock transactions in a manner that complies with insider trading laws. InvestingPro data shows 14 analysts have recently revised their earnings expectations downward, though the company maintains healthy financials with liquid assets exceeding short-term obligations. Get access to 8 more exclusive ProTips and comprehensive analysis in the Pro Research Report.
In other recent news, The Hershey Company has been navigating a series of financial and operational challenges. S&P Global Ratings revised the company’s outlook to negative from stable, citing increased leverage due to high cocoa costs and ongoing acquisitions, including a $750 million deal to acquire LesserEvil. Despite these pressures, Hershey’s credit ratings remain affirmed. Piper Sandler maintained an Underweight rating on Hershey shares, setting a price target of $120, influenced by high cocoa futures and an aging consumer base. Meanwhile, DA Davidson raised its price target for Hershey to $163, maintaining a Neutral rating, noting the company’s better-than-expected volume performance. Stifel analysts also kept a Hold rating with a $160 target, highlighting Hershey’s first-quarter earnings per share of $2.09, which exceeded expectations. The company confirmed its 2025 guidance but anticipates an EPS decline due to cocoa inflation. Hershey’s annual meeting saw shareholders approve several key proposals, including the election of directors and ratification of auditors, reflecting strong shareholder engagement. As Hershey continues to manage external factors like cocoa price volatility and potential tariffs, analysts and investors are closely monitoring the company’s strategies to sustain growth.
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