Verity & Verity 13F: Cuts The Hershey (HSY) Stake by $639K

Verity & Verity reduced its stake in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) by 63.9%, selling 4,054 shares during the period according to a Form 13F filing with the SEC on October 23, 2026.

HSY The Hershey Company

$169.64 ▼ -4.93% year to date

1M 3M YTD

Daily close · Oct 23, 2026

What Changed in Verity & Verity's The Hershey Company Position

The firm lowered its investment by 4,054 shares, leaving it with 2,287 shares of the confectionery maker at the close of the period. That remaining stake carried a reported value of $360,454, down significantly from its prior holding of 6,341 shares.

Other Institutional Activity in The Hershey Company

Other large investors adjusted their holdings in the maker of sweet treats around the same time. Bell Bank picked up a new stake by acquiring 42,924 shares worth about $6,765,252. At the same time, Hershey Trust Company trimmed its massive position by 1.1%, shedding 610,837 shares to end with 55,948,131 shares valued at about $9,491,040,908.

The Hershey Company Stock Up 1.1%

The shares recently traded around $169.64 as of October 24, 2026, matching the closing price of $169.64 recorded on the filing date of October 23, 2026. The stock sits below its 50-day moving average of $172.09 and well under its 200-day moving average of $189.64. Trading activity places the shares closer to their 52-week low of $156.16 than their peak of $239.48.

Recent Earnings

The company posted trailing twelve-month revenue of $12.16 billion alongside basic earnings of $7.32 per share. Profitability measures include a net profit margin of 12.2% and a return on equity of 32.8%. The next earnings report is scheduled for October 29, 2026.

Dividend

The company pays an annual dividend rate of $5.81 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 3.31%.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Hershey Company

Insider transactions featured heavy selling by the Hershey Trust Co Trustee in Trust for the Milton Hershey School. The 10% owner sold 10,000 shares on October 16 at $170.65, another 10,000 shares on October 19 at $167.48, 10,000 shares on October 20 at $168.85, and 10,000 shares on October 21 at $168.12. All four of these transactions were carried out under planned trading arrangements.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several Wall Street firms updated their views on the stock ahead of the filing, including RBC Capital, Wells Fargo, TD Cowen, JP Morgan, and Barclays. The broader analyst community maintains a buy consensus rating on the stock alongside a mean price target of $197.05.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company manufactures and sells chocolate, confectionery products, and pantry items. Operating through North American Confectionery, North American Salty Snacks, and international divisions, the company markets iconic sweets and snacks across the globe.

Bottom Line

Investors will look to the upcoming earnings report on October 29, 2026, for updated financial results. Future institutional filings will show whether other funds follow Verity & Verity in trimming their exposure to the stock.