The Hershey Company (HSY – Research Report), the Consumer Defensive sector company, was revisited by a Wall Street analyst today. Analyst Robert Moskow from TD Cowen maintained a Hold rating on the stock and has a $156.00 price target.
Robert Moskow has given his Hold rating due to a combination of factors impacting The Hershey Company’s financial outlook. Despite a slight outperformance in the first quarter compared to low expectations, the company’s guidance for 2025 now excludes significant potential tariff impacts. This exclusion suggests a narrower path to earnings growth in 2026 if the tariffs are implemented.
The company also reported a loss in market share within the U.S. candy retail sector, although this was somewhat anticipated. Additionally, while the first quarter’s operating profit exceeded expectations due to reduced SG&A spending, the gross margin decline was in line with forecasts. The management’s commentary indicates a shift in quarterly earnings expectations, partly due to an accounting transition and anticipated tariff impacts, which adds uncertainty to the company’s financial projections.
In another report released today, Barclays also maintained a Hold rating on the stock with a $160.00 price target.