Hershey (HSY) Boosts Marketing Budget by 20% for First New Campaign in Eight Years
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 16 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Increased Marketing Budget: Hershey has raised its marketing budget by 20% to fund its first new advertising campaign in eight years, which is expected to significantly enhance brand visibility and attract younger consumers.
- Diverse Advertising Channels: The new campaign will utilize traditional TV, streaming, and emerging platforms like TikTok, marking a strategic shift for Hershey in digital marketing aimed at expanding its market share.
- Cultural Event Integration: Hershey plans to engage in live events around major cultural moments such as the Winter Olympics and America250 celebrations, leveraging these opportunities to boost brand engagement and emotional connection with consumers.
- Product Innovation Focus: Hershey is set to launch new iterations of its chocolate products that emphasize unique textures and flavors, catering to consumer demand for novel experiences, thereby driving overall sales growth.
Get Free Real-Time Notifications for Any Stock
Monitor tickers like HSY with instant alerts to capture every critical market movement.
Sign up for free to build your custom watchlist and receive professional-grade stock notifications.
Analyst Views on HSY
Wall Street analysts forecast HSY stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for HSY is 196.27 USD with a low forecast of 181.00 USD and a high forecast of 222.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
17 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
14 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 192.000
Low
181.00
Averages
196.27
High
222.00
Current: 192.000
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.
Jolly Rancher Launches New Spicy Gummies with VeeFriends Partnership
- Product Launch: Jolly Rancher introduces its new Heat Wave spicy gummies, blending sweet and spicy flavors to meet consumer demand for multisensory experiences, likely attracting a younger demographic.
- Limited Edition Collector's Box: The collaboration with VeeFriends features a limited edition 'Heat Wave' collector's box priced at $29.99, which includes unique items that enhance brand appeal and drive sales.
- Market Trend Response: The new product aligns with the global trend for sweet and spicy flavors, offering five new flavors (Mango, Pineapple, Watermelon, Lime, and Citrus Punch) that enhance market competitiveness through innovative flavor combinations.
- Brand Expansion: By partnering with VeeFriends, Jolly Rancher not only expands its product line but also strengthens its influence among younger consumers, further solidifying its market position.
Continue Reading
IYK vs PBJ: Cost, Yield, and Risk Differences
- Cost Comparison: IYK charges a lower expense ratio of 0.38% compared to PBJ's 0.61%, making IYK more cost-effective for long-term investors and enhancing net returns.
- Performance Metrics: As of 2025, IYK delivered a 7.7% annual return, significantly outperforming PBJ's flat performance, highlighting IYK's advantage in a diversified portfolio that can better withstand market fluctuations.
- Holdings Structure: IYK holds 54 stocks with 84% in consumer defensive and 12% in healthcare, while PBJ focuses almost entirely on food and beverage, with 89% in consumer defensive, making PBJ's concentrated strategy riskier in specific market trends.
- Dividend Yield: IYK offers a dividend yield of 2.6%, surpassing PBJ's 1.8%, providing a more attractive option for investors seeking steady income, particularly during economic uncertainty.
Continue Reading