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Upturn AI SWOT - About
HSY 
Hershey Co (HSY)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
09/11/2025: HSY (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
25 Analysts rated it
Well-followed company, solid analyst reports, reliable data for confident investing.
1 Year Target Price $185
1 Year Target Price $185
| 3 | Strong Buy |
| 1 | Buy |
| 17 | Hold |
| 2 | Sell |
| 2 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -29.85% | Avg. Invested days 27 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  1.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/11/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 37.63B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 24.64 | 1Y Target Price 185 |
Price to earnings Ratio 24.64 | 1Y Target Price 185 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 25 | Beta 0.26 | 52 Weeks Range 136.73 - 202.98 | Updated Date 09/12/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 136.73 - 202.98 | Updated Date 09/12/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 2.95% | Basic EPS (TTM) 7.53 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 13.54% | Operating Margin (TTM) 7.63% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 10.47% | Return on Equity (TTM) 35.89% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 24.64 | Forward PE 28.57 | Enterprise Value 42703988690 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.33 |
Enterprise Value 42703988690 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.33 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 3.78 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 17.86 | Shares Outstanding 148111008 | Shares Floating 90577186 |
Shares Outstanding 148111008 | Shares Floating 90577186 | ||
Percent Insiders 0.37 | Percent Institutions 89.29 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Hershey Co
Company Overview
History and Background
Founded in 1894 by Milton Hershey, The Hershey Company initially focused on caramel production but quickly transitioned to chocolate. A significant milestone was the establishment of Hershey, Pennsylvania, as a model industrial town. The company has evolved into a global confectionery leader through innovation and strategic acquisitions.
Core Business Areas
- North America Confectionery: This segment comprises the production and sale of chocolate, sweets, mints, and gum products primarily in North America.
- International: This segment includes the production and sale of confectionery products and pantry items outside of North America.
- Snacks: This segment consists of salty snacks and other snacking products.
Leadership and Structure
Michele Buck serves as the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. The organizational structure includes various departments such as marketing, sales, supply chain, and finance, all reporting to the CEO.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar: A flagship product, capturing a significant share of the milk chocolate bar market. Competitors include Mars (MILKY WAY), Nestle (CRUNCH), and Cadbury (Dairy Milk). Global Market share is estimated around 20% within the milk chocolate bar category in the U.S. but only about 3% globally
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: A leading confectionery product, dominating the peanut butter cup segment. Competitors are smaller regional brands. Controls roughly 30% of the total US market for candy bars.
- Kit Kat: A wafer chocolate bar product which the company manages sales for in the US. The Kit Kat bar dominates a major portion of the wafer candy section, a market estimated at nearly 1.5 billion in sales for 2023. Competitors are regional brands.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The confectionery industry is characterized by intense competition, changing consumer preferences (e.g., healthier alternatives), and fluctuating raw material costs.
Positioning
Hershey Co. holds a strong position in the North American confectionery market due to its established brand recognition, extensive distribution network, and product innovation.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The global confectionery market is projected to reach approximately $250 billion by 2028. Hershey Co. is well-positioned to capitalize on this TAM, especially in the North American market.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand recognition
- Extensive distribution network
- Product innovation
- Strong market share in North America
Weaknesses
- Limited global presence compared to competitors
- Dependence on cocoa prices
- Vulnerability to changing consumer preferences
Opportunities
- Expansion into emerging markets
- Development of healthier product options
- Strategic acquisitions
- E-commerce growth
Threats
- Intense competition
- Rising raw material costs
- Changing consumer preferences
- Regulatory changes
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Mondelez International (MDLZ)
- Nestle (NSRGY)
- Mars, Incorporated
Competitive Landscape
Hershey's advantages include a strong North American presence and iconic brands. Disadvantages include limited global reach and vulnerability to raw material price fluctuations.
Major Acquisitions
Dot's Pretzels
- Year: 2021
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 1200
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded Hershey's snacking portfolio with a fast-growing pretzel brand.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Hershey has experienced steady revenue and earnings growth over the past decade, driven by organic growth and acquisitions.
Future Projections: Analysts project continued growth in revenue and earnings, driven by product innovation and international expansion. However, some analysts are lowering their projections due to consumer trends away from unhealthy candies.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include investments in automation, expansion into new product categories, and digital marketing.
Summary
Hershey is a strong company with a dominant position in the North American confectionery market. Its iconic brands and extensive distribution network contribute to its success. However, it faces challenges related to global expansion, rising raw material costs, and changing consumer preferences towards healthier options. Hershey must continue to innovate and adapt to these trends to maintain its competitive edge.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company SEC Filings
- Market Research Reports
- Analyst Estimates
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Market conditions and company performance are subject to change.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Hershey Co
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Hershey, PA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1985-07-01 | President, CEO & Director Mr. Kirk C. Tanner | ||
Sector Consumer Defensive | Industry Confectioners | Full time employees 18540 | |
Full time employees 18540 | |||
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. The company provides its products primarily under the Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Almond Joy, Brookside, barkTHINS, Cadbury, Good & Plenty, Heath, Kit Kat, Payday, Rolo, Twizzlers, Sour Strips, Whoppers, York, Ice Breakers, Breath Savers, Bubble Yum, Lily's, SkinnyPop, Pirates Booty, Dot's Homestyle Pretzels, and ONE Bar brands, as well as under the Pelon Pelo Rico, IO-IO, and Sofit brands. It markets and sells its products to wholesale distributors, chain grocery stores, mass merchandisers, chain drug stores, vending companies, wholesale clubs, convenience stores, dollar stores, concessionaires, and department stores. The company exports its products in approximately 80 countries worldwide. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
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