The Hershey CompanyNYSE: HSY
Consumer Staples · Packaged Foods & Meats
$181.11
-4.88%
Vol: 2.2M
Research Digest
Monday, June 15, 2026
No significant overnight updates
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysJun 14No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 21Mizuho cuts Hershey target to $185; Hershey Trust sells 30,000 sharesNegative▶
Mizuho lowered HSY's price target to $185 from $195 on May 21. On May 20, Hershey Trust (significant insider) sold 30,000 shares for $5.75M, following a 20,000-share sale on May 11. Stock around $186.98 amid mixed sentiment despite Q1 organic sales +8% and TD Cowen upgrade thesis on cocoa deflation and distribution gains.
May 20No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 19No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 18Hershey shares trade in $186-$190 range on May 17 following RBC Capital's reaffirmed Hold rating.Neutral▶
Hershey (HSY) stock traded within a range of $186.18 to $190.65 on May 17, 2026, closing near $186.98. On May 14, 2026, RBC Capital reaffirmed their Hold rating on the stock. Hershey continues its Pokemon collaboration push, with the company's recent product launches including the Team Rocket-themed limited-edition Kisses celebrating 30 years of Pokemon. The company navigates mixed market conditions with recent Q1 earnings beating expectations, though headwinds from high cocoa costs persist. New insider activity was also reported on May 13, 2026.
May 15Hershey showcases ONE Hershey approach at 2026 NCA Sweets & Snacks Expo on May 12 as Barclays trims PT to $220Mixed▶
Hershey showcased its ONE Hershey approach to lead next-generation snacking at the 2026 NCA Sweets & Snacks Expo on May 12. Recent Q1 2026 results showed strong 10.6% revenue growth and 12.4% adjusted EPS increase, though shares slipped post-earnings as margin pressure from rising cocoa and ingredient costs overshadowed top-line strength. Barclays lowered its price target to $220 from $225 on May 4 amid these cost concerns. The company noted GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are driving higher gum and mint sales as a positive secular factor. Product launches include HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate with Caramel bars and Jolly Rancher Gummies Fruity Mix; a Team USA campaign tied to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games is also live. Analyst consensus is Hold given cost pressure and competitive landscape. Stock at $190.32, market cap $38.6B.
May 14Hershey Trust sells additional 30,000 shares on May 11-13 at $184.58-$196.38 amid Q1 strength and analyst price target cutsMixed▶
Hershey Trust Company executed open-market sales of 30,000 common shares between May 11-13, 2026 at weighted average prices of $184.58 to $196.38, following an earlier 20,000-share sale on May 7-8 at $182.98-$187.31. The trust retains its large Class B controlling stake. The sales follow Q1 2026 results showing 10.6% revenue growth and 12.4% adjusted EPS increase, with strong Easter sell-through and premium chocolate momentum. Despite the operational beat, DA Davidson cut its price target to $208 from $230 and Barclays lowered to $220 from $225 in early May. The stock traded between $190.35-$196.58 on May 14. Cocoa price collapse is supporting margin recovery while GLP-1 drugs are driving higher gum and mint sales.
May 13Hershey CFO Steve Voskuil participated in Goldman Sachs Global Staples Forum amid AI marketing rollout disclosures.Mixed▶
On May 12, 2026, Hershey CFO Steve Voskuil presented at the Goldman Sachs Global Staples Forum, addressing investors amid pressure from high cocoa costs and competitive challenges. On May 11, the company disclosed it has launched agentic AI systems to analyze hundreds of thousands of marketing inputs in real time to direct advertising spend. Recent analyst actions have been cautious: Barclays cut its price target to $220 from $225 and DA Davidson cut to $208 from $230 on May 4. Q1 2026 net sales reached $3.10 billion with 11% sales growth and 12% EPS growth despite cocoa-cost pressure. A major shareholder (Hershey Trust) recently sold 20,000 shares worth $3.7 million.
May 12Hershey Trust insider sells $3.7M of stock May 11; analysts lower price targets despite Q1 organic sales up 8%Mixed▶
Hershey Trust Co Trustee sold 20,000 shares for $3.72M on May 11, 2026, signaling caution from the company's largest holder. Despite Q1 2026 net sales of $3.10B and organic sales growth of 8% (prices +10%, volumes -2%), DA Davidson lowered its price target to $208 from $230 and Barclays cut to $220 from $225. The May 5 annual meeting saw shareholders elect all directors, ratify EY as auditors, and approve executive pay. CFO Steve Voskuil is set to present at Goldman Sachs Global Staples Forum May 12. Hershey is deploying agentic AI for marketing spend decisions. A Pokémon Kisses collection with Team Rocket designs launches to mark 30 years of Pokémon. Cocoa cost pressures and volume softness remain headwinds.
May 11Hershey reported Q1 revenue of $3.10B and adjusted EPS of $2.35; CEO Kirk Tanner cited GLP-1 drugs as boosting gum and mint sales.Positive▶
Hershey reported Q1 2026 revenue of $3.10B and adjusted EPS of $2.35, showing resilience amid cocoa pressures. At its 2026 Investor Day, the company outlined a "Lead Next Generation Snacking" strategy combining confection strength with expansion in salty and functional snacks, reaffirming FY26 guidance of +4%-+5% net sales and +30%-+35% adjusted EPS growth (with ~150bp benefit from LesserEvil acquisition). CEO Kirk Tanner said GLP-1 drugs are driving higher Ice Breakers gum and mint sales. The company pledged all-natural colors across products by 2027. Average analyst rating is Hold with $212.82 PT (15.09% upside). Risks: cocoa costs, consumer spending pressures.
May 8Hershey Q1 revenue up 10.6% YoY; CEO highlights GLP-1 drug boost to mints and gum salesPositive▶
The Hershey Company reported Q1 2026 net sales up 10.6% year-over-year with strong brand performance and innovation. EPS beat expectations significantly at $2.13 versus forecast. CEO Kirk Tanner highlighted growing GLP-1 drug adoption driving higher sales for mints, gum, and Ice Breakers. Company reaffirmed 2026 guidance: organic growth 2.5%-3.5%, adjusted EPS growth 30%-35%. Strategic pivot to "Lead Next Generation Snacking" combines iconic confectionery with expansion into salty and functional snacking. Analyst consensus is Hold with $212.82 target price, up 15.09% from current levels.
May 7Hershey Q1 revenue rises 10.6% YoY to $3.1B, beats EPS estimates by 8.1%; sees GLP-1 mints/gum sales boostPositive▶
Hershey reported Q1 2026 net sales up 10.6% YoY with EPS of $2.13, 8.1% ahead of estimates of $1.97. Revenue of $3.1B arrived 2.6% ahead of forecasts. CEO Kirk Tanner noted higher mints and gum sales driven by GLP-1 drug adoption. New products include Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Caramel, Dot's Snack Mix, Twizzlers Straws with Dirty Soda inspiration. By 2027 all product colors will be natural. Board declared dividends of $1.452 on common and $1.320 on Class B stock. TD Cowen upgraded to Buy from Hold. DA Davidson lowered PT to $208 from $230 with Neutral. Stock at $187.04 with P/E 34.68 and 3.0% dividend yield.
May 6Hershey beats Q1 expectations with adjusted EPS of $2.35, seeing GLP-1 drug boost in mints and gum salesMixed▶
Hershey reported Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.35, beating consensus of $2.04, with organic revenue growth of 7.9% and net sales up 10.6% YoY. CEO Kirk Tanner noted strong mints and gum sales driven by GLP-1 drug adoption. The company affirmed FY26 adjusted EPS guidance of $8.20-$8.52. TD Cowen upgraded HSY to Buy from Hold, though BofA lowered price target to $220 from $240 and DA Davidson to $208 from $230, citing cost pressures offsetting earnings beat. The stock is at $184.91 with analyst consensus target of $217.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDLZMONDELEZ | $61.50 | -0.01% | -0.2% | 18.2x | 0.40 | $78.9B |
| HSYHERSHEY | $181.11 | -4.88% | -5.5% | 18.2x | 0.08 | $36.7B |
| KHCKRAFT | $23.97 | +1.83% | +2.7% | 11.5x | 0.08 | $28.4B |
| TSNTYSON | $57.24 | -13.89% | -14.1% | 12.6x | 0.38 | $20.2B |
| GISGENERAL | $34.27 | +2.38% | +2.5% | 10.9x | -0.04 | $18.3B |
| HRLHORMEL | $24.57 | +16.53% | +20.6% | 15.8x | 0.34 | $13.5B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.