Wall Street Rises with Strong Tech Stock Performance
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Source: CNBC
- 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.
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Analyst Views on HSY
Wall Street analysts forecast HSY stock price to fall
17 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
14 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 197.040
Low
181.00
Averages
196.27
High
222.00
Current: 197.040
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.
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
Wall Street's Latest Rating Changes Overview
- Openlane Upgrade: JPMorgan upgraded Openlane from neutral to overweight and raised its December 2026 price target to $38, indicating that the online used car marketplace is experiencing robust growth and has potential for sustainable expansion over the coming years.
- Dollar General Downgrade: Deutsche Bank downgraded Dollar General from buy to hold, citing challenges in its customer base and the widening gap in the K-shaped economy, which may limit same-store sales upside, reflecting a cautious outlook on the company.
- Ecolab Upgrade: UBS upgraded Ecolab from neutral to buy and raised its price target to $325, demonstrating strong demand and positive performance expectations for the chemicals company amid a favorable market environment.
- FedEx Upgrade: JPMorgan upgraded FedEx from neutral to overweight, expressing optimism ahead of its upcoming earnings report, particularly regarding the separation of its freight business, which is seen as an attractive risk-reward opportunity.
See More
Chocolate Industry Returns to Cocoa Ingredients Amid Price Slump
- Cocoa Price Decline: Following a nearly 70% drop in cocoa futures since 2024, chocolate manufacturers are reverting to traditional cocoa ingredients, which is expected to lower retail prices for consumers while reviving demand for cocoa farmers and improving their economic conditions.
- Hershey's Strategic Shift: U.S. confectionery maker Hershey (HSY.N) has announced plans to increase cocoa content in its chocolate alternatives and will revert to original recipes for Hershey's and Reese's products starting next year, demonstrating responsiveness to consumer feedback.
- Market Response and Sales Growth: As cocoa prices decline, Mondelez (MDLZ.O) has reduced some chocolate prices in Europe and is beginning to see a rise in sales volumes, indicating a recovery in market demand for traditional chocolate products.
- Legislative Push for Cocoa Return: Brazil recently enacted a law requiring products labeled as dark chocolate to contain at least 35% cocoa solids, which will align the country's chocolate market with higher cocoa content standards and further stimulate cocoa demand growth.
See More
Wendy's Appoints New CEO Amid Ongoing Struggles
- New CEO Appointment: Wendy's has appointed Bob Wright as its new CEO, who previously led Potbelly for five years, successfully turning around the sandwich chain post-pandemic, and is expected to bring a fresh strategic direction to Wendy's.
- Ongoing Sales Decline: The burger chain has reported five consecutive quarters of same-store sales declines, losing market share to competitors like McDonald's and Burger King, which has forced the company to close approximately 300 restaurants in the first half of the year to mitigate operational pressures.
- Acquisition Rumors Intensify: With shares plummeting nearly 35%, Wendy's market value has dropped to $1.55 billion, making it a potential acquisition target for Trian Fund Management, which currently holds a 7.85% stake in the company.
- Boardroom Turmoil: Since Kirk Tanner's departure in July, Wendy's has lacked a permanent CEO, with Tanner serving only 18 months before being replaced, and the previous CEO Todd Penegor ousted, highlighting frequent executive turnover and instability in management.
See More
Wendy's Appoints Robert Wright as New CEO
- Executive Change: Wendy's appointed Robert Wright as the new CEO effective May 21, succeeding interim CEO Kenneth Cook, aiming to strengthen leadership to tackle market challenges.
- Background Information: Wright previously served as CEO of fast-casual chain Potbelly and held senior roles at Wendy's, Charleys Philly Steaks, and Domino's Pizza, bringing extensive industry experience that could open new growth opportunities for Wendy's.
- Interim CEO Role: Cook will remain as CFO after Wright's appointment, ensuring financial stability while supporting the new CEO in the smooth implementation of company strategies.
- Investor Attention: This CEO change comes amid reports that activist investor Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management is exploring a potential bid to take Wendy's private, highlighting significant market interest in the company's future direction.
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
Wall Street's Latest Rating Changes Overview
- Openlane Upgrade: JPMorgan upgraded Openlane from neutral to overweight and raised its December 2026 price target to $38, indicating that the online used car marketplace is experiencing robust growth and has potential for sustainable expansion over the coming years.
- Dollar General Downgrade: Deutsche Bank downgraded Dollar General from buy to hold, citing challenges in its customer base and the widening gap in the K-shaped economy, which may limit same-store sales upside, reflecting a cautious outlook on the company.
- Ecolab Upgrade: UBS upgraded Ecolab from neutral to buy and raised its price target to $325, demonstrating strong demand and positive performance expectations for the chemicals company amid a favorable market environment.
- FedEx Upgrade: JPMorgan upgraded FedEx from neutral to overweight, expressing optimism ahead of its upcoming earnings report, particularly regarding the separation of its freight business, which is seen as an attractive risk-reward opportunity.
See More
Chocolate Industry Returns to Cocoa Ingredients Amid Price Slump
- Cocoa Price Decline: Following a nearly 70% drop in cocoa futures since 2024, chocolate manufacturers are reverting to traditional cocoa ingredients, which is expected to lower retail prices for consumers while reviving demand for cocoa farmers and improving their economic conditions.
- Hershey's Strategic Shift: U.S. confectionery maker Hershey (HSY.N) has announced plans to increase cocoa content in its chocolate alternatives and will revert to original recipes for Hershey's and Reese's products starting next year, demonstrating responsiveness to consumer feedback.
- Market Response and Sales Growth: As cocoa prices decline, Mondelez (MDLZ.O) has reduced some chocolate prices in Europe and is beginning to see a rise in sales volumes, indicating a recovery in market demand for traditional chocolate products.
- Legislative Push for Cocoa Return: Brazil recently enacted a law requiring products labeled as dark chocolate to contain at least 35% cocoa solids, which will align the country's chocolate market with higher cocoa content standards and further stimulate cocoa demand growth.
See More
Wendy's Appoints New CEO Amid Ongoing Struggles
- New CEO Appointment: Wendy's has appointed Bob Wright as its new CEO, who previously led Potbelly for five years, successfully turning around the sandwich chain post-pandemic, and is expected to bring a fresh strategic direction to Wendy's.
- Ongoing Sales Decline: The burger chain has reported five consecutive quarters of same-store sales declines, losing market share to competitors like McDonald's and Burger King, which has forced the company to close approximately 300 restaurants in the first half of the year to mitigate operational pressures.
- Acquisition Rumors Intensify: With shares plummeting nearly 35%, Wendy's market value has dropped to $1.55 billion, making it a potential acquisition target for Trian Fund Management, which currently holds a 7.85% stake in the company.
- Boardroom Turmoil: Since Kirk Tanner's departure in July, Wendy's has lacked a permanent CEO, with Tanner serving only 18 months before being replaced, and the previous CEO Todd Penegor ousted, highlighting frequent executive turnover and instability in management.
See More
Wendy's Appoints Robert Wright as New CEO
- Executive Change: Wendy's appointed Robert Wright as the new CEO effective May 21, succeeding interim CEO Kenneth Cook, aiming to strengthen leadership to tackle market challenges.
- Background Information: Wright previously served as CEO of fast-casual chain Potbelly and held senior roles at Wendy's, Charleys Philly Steaks, and Domino's Pizza, bringing extensive industry experience that could open new growth opportunities for Wendy's.
- Interim CEO Role: Cook will remain as CFO after Wright's appointment, ensuring financial stability while supporting the new CEO in the smooth implementation of company strategies.
- Investor Attention: This CEO change comes amid reports that activist investor Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management is exploring a potential bid to take Wendy's private, highlighting significant market interest in the company's future direction.
See More
