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Upturn AI Summary - About
Hershey Co(HSY)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for HSY
11/09/2026: HSY (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Hershey Co is a well-established consumer staples company primarily known for its extensive portfolio of chocolate and confectionery brands. The company maintains a leading position in the North American market, benefiting from strong brand loyalty and reliable retail distribution. Its primary investment story centers on the successful diversification into the high-growth salty snacks category to offset potential risks from changing consumer health preferences. However, the company faces persistent competitive pressure and sensitivity to volatile commodity input costs. It is generally well-suited for dividend and low-risk investors, though stakeholders should monitor its ability to integrate new acquisitions and maintain margins amid inflationary pressures.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | Hershey offers steady, moderate growth rather than the high-growth trajectory typically sought by growth investors. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | Momentum suitability depends on positive price trends and market sentiment, which can be cyclical in consumer staples. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | As a mature, high-quality company, it often trades at a valuation premium that may not meet deep-value criteria. |
| Dividend investor | Strong fit | The company's history of consistent dividend growth makes it a strong candidate for income-oriented portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | The stable demand for confectionery products provides a defensive profile suitable for risk-averse investors. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium | While generally stable, the stock can fluctuate based on commodity price news or broad market sentiment. |
| Valuation risk | Medium / high | High-quality consumer staples often command premium valuations that leave little room for error in earnings reports. |
| Competition risk (snack and candy market) | High | Intense competition from global conglomerates requires constant investment in marketing and innovation. |
| Business quality | Strong | The company possesses high-quality, recognizable brands that confer long-term competitive advantages. |
| Dividend income | Low | The dividend is considered stable and reliable, reflecting low income risk for investors. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Success depends on the ability to integrate acquisitions and maintain brand relevance among changing consumer preferences. |
Price Behavior
Downtrend
The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.
Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -27.19% | Avg. Invested days 32 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  1.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/09/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 35.79B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 20.14 | 1Y Target Price 180.9 |
Price to earnings Ratio 20.14 | 1Y Target Price 180.9 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 1.8M shares | Beta 0.07 | 52 Weeks Range 156.16 - 235.80 | Updated Date 11/08/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 156.16 - 235.80 | Updated Date 11/08/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 3.23% | Basic EPS (TTM) 8.84 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| North America Confectionery | Sale of chocolate, gum, and mints in the U.S. and Canada. | This is the primary profit engine providing the majority of the company's consistent cash flow. |
| North America Salty Snacks | Popcorn, pretzels, and meat snacks. | An important growth area that diversifies the company beyond traditional chocolate. |
| International | Confectionery and snack sales in markets outside North America. | This segment represents the company's long-term opportunity to scale brands globally. |
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 2026-10-29 | When Before Market | Estimate 2.12 | Actual 2.64 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 14.63% | Operating Margin (TTM) 25.55% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 11.82% | Return on Equity (TTM) 38% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 20.14 | Forward PE 18.62 | Enterprise Value 40.54B | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.92 |
Enterprise Value 40.54B | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.92 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 3.31 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 13.17 | Shares Outstanding 146.37M | Shares Floating 145.16M |
Shares Outstanding 146.37M | Shares Floating 145.16M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.31 | Percent Institutions 90.73 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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