Hershey Trust Co sells $3.25 million in Hershey Co shares

Hershey Trust Co, a major shareholder in The Hershey Co, divested approximately $3.25 million worth of the company's shares in two transactions on October 8 and 9, 2026. This amounted to the sale of 19,000 shares, with each share traded at a weighted average price between $160.8582 and $163.1459. Currently, Hershey's stock trades at $162.74, only 4% above its 52-week low of $156.16.

The trust retains 616,119 shares directly and indirectly holds 39,630 shares via another entity. Despite this recent selling, Hershey is known for its consistent dividend payouts, with a 3.6% yield and 56 consecutive years of dividend payments. The company is also expected to release earnings on October 22, which could provide further insight into its financial health.

Recent news surrounding Hershey includes TD Cowen's upgrade to a Buy rating with a price target of $210, citing significant investments in research and development. However, RBC Capital lowered its price target to $206, citing concerns over market share. Despite mixed analyst opinions, Hershey's dividend yield and history of consistent payouts make it an attractive option for income-focused investors.