3 Dividend ETFs to Provide Stability During Turbulent Times
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 06 2026
0mins
Source: Barron's
- Market Outlook: The stock market is currently facing uncertainty, leading to concerns among investors.
- Investment Strategy: Dividend stocks are being considered as a potential safe haven for investors seeking stability.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy HSY?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on HSY
Wall Street analysts forecast HSY stock price to rise
17 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
14 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 180.840
Low
181.00
Averages
196.27
High
222.00
Current: 180.840
Low
181.00
Averages
196.27
High
222.00
About HSY
The Hershey Company is a snacks company. The Company's segments include North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks and International. The North America Confectionery segment is responsible for its traditional chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery market position in the United States and Canada. This includes its business in chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery, gum and refreshment products, protein bars, spreads, snack bites and mixes, as well as pantry and food service lines. This segment also includes its retail operations. The North America Salty Snacks segment is responsible for its salty snacking products in the United States. This includes ready-to-eat popcorn, baked and trans fat free snacks, pretzels and other snacks. The Company's portfolio includes chocolate and confectionery brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, LesserEvil, Shaq-a-licious alongside salty snacks, including SkinnyPop and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Buffett vs. Musk: The Debate on Competitive Moats
- Definition of Moats: Warren Buffett has long used the term 'moat' to describe a company's enduring competitive advantage, while Elon Musk argues that moats are outdated, emphasizing that the pace of innovation is the fundamental determinant of competitiveness.
- Tesla's Open Strategy: During Tesla's earnings call, Musk expressed willingness to open the Supercharger network to competitors, a strategy that could impact Tesla's competitive position in the EV market, although Buffett remains skeptical about this approach.
- Candy Market Challenge: Musk announced plans to enter the candy industry, claiming he would build a moat to fend off competition, while Buffett pointed out that established brands like Snickers and M&M's have strong moats, presenting significant challenges for Musk.
- GEICO's Branding Strategy: Buffett cited GEICO's Gecko as an example of effective branding that creates a moat, highlighting that a strong brand image can generate competitive advantages, with GEICO's recent partnership with a WNBA player further enhancing its investment in women's sports.
See More
SpaceX IPO Set to Break Records with $75 Billion Valuation
- SpaceX IPO Expectations: SpaceX is set to go public on Friday with a valuation of $75 billion, marking the largest IPO in history, which is expected to inject significant capital into the market, thereby boosting investor confidence and driving growth in related sectors.
- IPO Market Dynamics: So far in 2023, 71 companies have gone public, raising nearly $36 billion, indicating strong demand for emerging enterprises, and SpaceX's IPO is likely to intensify this trend, attracting more investor interest in the tech sector.
- ARK Fund Performance: The ARK Venture Fund holds approximately 11% of SpaceX, with a 4% increase over the past month and over 70% year-to-date, reflecting strong market confidence in SpaceX's growth potential, which may attract more institutional investors.
- Related Stock Performance: Several space-related stocks, such as Iridium Communications and Virgin Galactic, have surged over 100% and 96% in the past three months, respectively, demonstrating investor enthusiasm for the space industry, and SpaceX's IPO is expected to further fuel this investment frenzy.
See More
Top Consumer Brands Offer Attractive Dividend Yields Amid Market Weakness
- Home Depot Investment Opportunity: Home Depot's shares are currently trading 29% below their previous high, and despite sales growth being pressured by high interest rates, its quarterly dividend of $2.33 per share yields 2.98%, significantly above the S&P 500 average, indicating strong investment value during economic recovery.
- Hershey's Steady Growth: Hershey's stock has also declined by 29%, yet its first-quarter organic sales grew nearly 8% year-over-year, with adjusted earnings rising 12%, demonstrating the resilience of its brand portfolio and suggesting continued stable growth in the coming years.
- Diageo's High Yield: Diageo offers a dividend yield of 3.88%, and although its stock is down 61% from its peak, its organic net sales increased by 0.3% year-over-year, showcasing the value of its diversified brand portfolio, with future potential to enhance free cash flow supporting dividend payments.
- Market Dynamics Analysis: While macroeconomic pressures have impacted consumer brand stock prices, the current low prices make these companies' dividend yields particularly attractive for income-seeking investors, especially in the context of an anticipated economic recovery.
See More
Top Dividend Stocks to Buy Amid Market Weakness
- Home Depot Investment Opportunity: Home Depot's stock is currently 29% below its historical high, and despite sales growth being pressured by high interest rates, its quarterly dividend of $2.33 per share, equating to an annual yield of 2.98%, significantly exceeds the S&P 500 average, indicating strong investment potential as the economy rebounds.
- Hershey's Brand Resilience: Hershey's stock has fallen 29% due to rising cocoa prices and the impact of weight-loss drugs on consumers, yet its brand portfolio remains robust, with organic sales growing nearly 8% year-over-year in Q1 and adjusted earnings up 12%, showcasing its sustained growth potential in the $146 billion global confectionery market.
- Diageo's High Yield: Diageo offers a dividend yield of 3.88%, having paid out 91% of its free cash flow over the past year, but its strong portfolio in beer and spirits provides pricing power, with organic net sales increasing 0.3% year-over-year last quarter, highlighting the value of its diversified brand portfolio.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: With cocoa prices easing and Hershey's margins set to improve, its forward yield of 3% appears particularly attractive, while Diageo aims to boost free cash flow to $3 billion, indicating strong long-term potential for investing in these high-yield dividend stocks.
See More
Evercore ISI Upgrades Hershey to Outperform Rating
- Rating Upgrade: Evercore ISI has upgraded Hershey (HSY) from In Line to Outperform, reflecting a relatively compelling valuation following a nearly 20% pullback in the stock.
- Positive Market Outlook: Analyst David Palmer noted that recent discussions with management support a constructive view on the confection category, anticipating steady pricing and significant cocoa relief in 2027 if Hershey can stabilize its market share.
- Earnings Growth Expectations: Evercore projects a 20% EPS growth for Hershey in 2027, driven by significant cocoa deflation, with their 2026 and 2027 estimates slightly above consensus, indicating confidence in the company's recovery.
- Price Target Setting: Evercore ISI has set a price target of $255 for Hershey, representing over 30% upside potential, which corresponds to 25 times the firm's above-consensus 2027 EPS estimate, slightly above the midpoint of HSY's five-year valuation range.
See More
Wall Street Rises with Strong Tech Stock Performance
- Strong Market Rally: Futures indicate an up day for Wall Street as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs, driven by AI-related stocks like Micron, which surged 19% and surpassed a $1 trillion market cap, reflecting robust demand for AI chips.
- Micron's Continued Ascent: Micron's stock rose another 7% in premarket trading, achieving a remarkable increase from $500 billion to $1 trillion in just 48 days, the fastest on record, highlighting the ongoing shortage and insatiable demand for memory chips, suggesting significant future growth potential.
- SK Hynix Joins the $1 Trillion Club: South Korean memory giant SK Hynix also crossed the $1 trillion market cap threshold in today's trading, underscoring the strong growth in the global memory market and the increasing demand driven by the AI era.
- Upgrades for FedEx and Danaher: JPMorgan upgraded FedEx from hold to buy with a price target raised to $460, citing attractive risk/reward ahead of its freight unit separation; meanwhile, Citi reinstated Danaher with a buy rating and a $230 price target, reflecting optimism in the bioprocessing sector.
See More
Buffett vs. Musk: The Debate on Competitive Moats
- Definition of Moats: Warren Buffett has long used the term 'moat' to describe a company's enduring competitive advantage, while Elon Musk argues that moats are outdated, emphasizing that the pace of innovation is the fundamental determinant of competitiveness.
- Tesla's Open Strategy: During Tesla's earnings call, Musk expressed willingness to open the Supercharger network to competitors, a strategy that could impact Tesla's competitive position in the EV market, although Buffett remains skeptical about this approach.
- Candy Market Challenge: Musk announced plans to enter the candy industry, claiming he would build a moat to fend off competition, while Buffett pointed out that established brands like Snickers and M&M's have strong moats, presenting significant challenges for Musk.
- GEICO's Branding Strategy: Buffett cited GEICO's Gecko as an example of effective branding that creates a moat, highlighting that a strong brand image can generate competitive advantages, with GEICO's recent partnership with a WNBA player further enhancing its investment in women's sports.
See More
SpaceX IPO Set to Break Records with $75 Billion Valuation
- SpaceX IPO Expectations: SpaceX is set to go public on Friday with a valuation of $75 billion, marking the largest IPO in history, which is expected to inject significant capital into the market, thereby boosting investor confidence and driving growth in related sectors.
- IPO Market Dynamics: So far in 2023, 71 companies have gone public, raising nearly $36 billion, indicating strong demand for emerging enterprises, and SpaceX's IPO is likely to intensify this trend, attracting more investor interest in the tech sector.
- ARK Fund Performance: The ARK Venture Fund holds approximately 11% of SpaceX, with a 4% increase over the past month and over 70% year-to-date, reflecting strong market confidence in SpaceX's growth potential, which may attract more institutional investors.
- Related Stock Performance: Several space-related stocks, such as Iridium Communications and Virgin Galactic, have surged over 100% and 96% in the past three months, respectively, demonstrating investor enthusiasm for the space industry, and SpaceX's IPO is expected to further fuel this investment frenzy.
See More
Top Consumer Brands Offer Attractive Dividend Yields Amid Market Weakness
- Home Depot Investment Opportunity: Home Depot's shares are currently trading 29% below their previous high, and despite sales growth being pressured by high interest rates, its quarterly dividend of $2.33 per share yields 2.98%, significantly above the S&P 500 average, indicating strong investment value during economic recovery.
- Hershey's Steady Growth: Hershey's stock has also declined by 29%, yet its first-quarter organic sales grew nearly 8% year-over-year, with adjusted earnings rising 12%, demonstrating the resilience of its brand portfolio and suggesting continued stable growth in the coming years.
- Diageo's High Yield: Diageo offers a dividend yield of 3.88%, and although its stock is down 61% from its peak, its organic net sales increased by 0.3% year-over-year, showcasing the value of its diversified brand portfolio, with future potential to enhance free cash flow supporting dividend payments.
- Market Dynamics Analysis: While macroeconomic pressures have impacted consumer brand stock prices, the current low prices make these companies' dividend yields particularly attractive for income-seeking investors, especially in the context of an anticipated economic recovery.
See More
Top Dividend Stocks to Buy Amid Market Weakness
- Home Depot Investment Opportunity: Home Depot's stock is currently 29% below its historical high, and despite sales growth being pressured by high interest rates, its quarterly dividend of $2.33 per share, equating to an annual yield of 2.98%, significantly exceeds the S&P 500 average, indicating strong investment potential as the economy rebounds.
- Hershey's Brand Resilience: Hershey's stock has fallen 29% due to rising cocoa prices and the impact of weight-loss drugs on consumers, yet its brand portfolio remains robust, with organic sales growing nearly 8% year-over-year in Q1 and adjusted earnings up 12%, showcasing its sustained growth potential in the $146 billion global confectionery market.
- Diageo's High Yield: Diageo offers a dividend yield of 3.88%, having paid out 91% of its free cash flow over the past year, but its strong portfolio in beer and spirits provides pricing power, with organic net sales increasing 0.3% year-over-year last quarter, highlighting the value of its diversified brand portfolio.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: With cocoa prices easing and Hershey's margins set to improve, its forward yield of 3% appears particularly attractive, while Diageo aims to boost free cash flow to $3 billion, indicating strong long-term potential for investing in these high-yield dividend stocks.
See More
Evercore ISI Upgrades Hershey to Outperform Rating
- Rating Upgrade: Evercore ISI has upgraded Hershey (HSY) from In Line to Outperform, reflecting a relatively compelling valuation following a nearly 20% pullback in the stock.
- Positive Market Outlook: Analyst David Palmer noted that recent discussions with management support a constructive view on the confection category, anticipating steady pricing and significant cocoa relief in 2027 if Hershey can stabilize its market share.
- Earnings Growth Expectations: Evercore projects a 20% EPS growth for Hershey in 2027, driven by significant cocoa deflation, with their 2026 and 2027 estimates slightly above consensus, indicating confidence in the company's recovery.
- Price Target Setting: Evercore ISI has set a price target of $255 for Hershey, representing over 30% upside potential, which corresponds to 25 times the firm's above-consensus 2027 EPS estimate, slightly above the midpoint of HSY's five-year valuation range.
See More
Wall Street Rises with Strong Tech Stock Performance
- Strong Market Rally: Futures indicate an up day for Wall Street as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs, driven by AI-related stocks like Micron, which surged 19% and surpassed a $1 trillion market cap, reflecting robust demand for AI chips.
- Micron's Continued Ascent: Micron's stock rose another 7% in premarket trading, achieving a remarkable increase from $500 billion to $1 trillion in just 48 days, the fastest on record, highlighting the ongoing shortage and insatiable demand for memory chips, suggesting significant future growth potential.
- SK Hynix Joins the $1 Trillion Club: South Korean memory giant SK Hynix also crossed the $1 trillion market cap threshold in today's trading, underscoring the strong growth in the global memory market and the increasing demand driven by the AI era.
- Upgrades for FedEx and Danaher: JPMorgan upgraded FedEx from hold to buy with a price target raised to $460, citing attractive risk/reward ahead of its freight unit separation; meanwhile, Citi reinstated Danaher with a buy rating and a $230 price target, reflecting optimism in the bioprocessing sector.
See More
