MrBeast Enters Debate Over Hershey's Ingredient Changes
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 17 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy HSY?
Source: Benzinga
- Ingredient Controversy: Brad Reese, heir to the Reese's brand, criticized Hershey for allegedly altering key ingredients in their products, claiming some now contain 'peanut-butter-style crèmes' instead of traditional milk chocolate and real peanut butter, raising concerns about brand integrity.
- MrBeast's Response: YouTube star MrBeast shared Brad Reese's comments on social media, using the moment to promote his chocolate brand, Feastables, which he claims uses real peanut butter, positioning it as a competitor to legacy brands like Hershey.
- Ethics vs. Profit Debate: When questioned about his motives, MrBeast defended his brand by stating that making chocolate isn't the easiest way to achieve high margins, emphasizing Feastables' commitment to ethical sourcing, including fair trade practices and audits for child labor risks.
- Market Reaction: Hershey's shares fell by 1.63% on Friday, although the stock maintains a strong momentum rating in Benzinga's rankings, indicating a positive price trend across short, medium, and long-term periods.
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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: 222.580
Low
181.00
Averages
196.27
High
222.00
Current: 222.580
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.
MrBeast Enters Debate Over Hershey's Ingredient Changes
- Ingredient Controversy: Brad Reese, heir to the Reese's brand, criticized Hershey for allegedly altering key ingredients in their products, claiming some now contain 'peanut-butter-style crèmes' instead of traditional milk chocolate and real peanut butter, raising concerns about brand integrity.
- MrBeast's Response: YouTube star MrBeast shared Brad Reese's comments on social media, using the moment to promote his chocolate brand, Feastables, which he claims uses real peanut butter, positioning it as a competitor to legacy brands like Hershey.
- Ethics vs. Profit Debate: When questioned about his motives, MrBeast defended his brand by stating that making chocolate isn't the easiest way to achieve high margins, emphasizing Feastables' commitment to ethical sourcing, including fair trade practices and audits for child labor risks.
- Market Reaction: Hershey's shares fell by 1.63% on Friday, although the stock maintains a strong momentum rating in Benzinga's rankings, indicating a positive price trend across short, medium, and long-term periods.
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Dutch Bros and Hershey Options Trading Activity Surges
- Dutch Bros Options Volume: Dutch Bros Inc saw options trading volume of 36,024 contracts, equivalent to approximately 3.6 million shares, representing 60.4% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating strong market interest in the stock.
- High Demand Call Options: Notably, the $60 strike call option expiring on March 20, 2026, has seen 3,340 contracts traded today, representing about 334,000 underlying shares, suggesting investor expectations for future price increases.
- Hershey Options Activity: Hershey Company recorded an options trading volume of 14,351 contracts, approximately 1.4 million shares, accounting for 58.6% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, reflecting ongoing market interest in the company.
- Significant Call Option Trading: The $185 strike call option expiring on February 20, 2026, has seen a trading volume of 4,665 contracts today, representing around 466,500 underlying shares, indicating optimistic sentiment among investors regarding Hershey's future performance.
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Record $29.1 Billion Expected Spending for Valentine's Day
- Record Spending: According to the National Retail Federation's latest survey, Americans are expected to spend a record $29.1 billion this Valentine's Day, surpassing the previous record of $27.5 billion set in 2025 by nearly 6%.
- Increased Average Expenditure: The survey indicates that the average consumer will spend approximately $200 on gifts, up from last year's average of $188.81, reflecting a growing willingness to invest in gifts.
- Diverse Gift Choices: Popular gifts include candy, flowers, greeting cards, dining experiences, and jewelry, with jewelry projected to account for $7 billion in spending, highlighting consumers' preference for luxury items.
- Shift in Shopping Channels: Online shopping remains the primary channel, followed by department stores, discount stores, and specialty shops, indicating a gradual shift towards digital shopping as consumers adapt to new spending trends.
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Warning Signals in Consumer Staples Sector
- Overbought Warning: As of February 12, 2026, Hershey Co (NYSE:HSY) and Darling Ingredients Inc (NYSE:DAR) are flagged as overbought in the consumer staples sector, potentially posing risks to momentum-focused investors, indicating excessive market optimism towards these stocks.
- Market Trends: These overbought signals suggest that investors chasing short-term gains may overlook potential market correction risks, leading to increased price volatility in the future, which could impact overall investment strategies.
- Investor Caution: For momentum-driven investors, the current overbought status may necessitate a reassessment of holdings to avoid significant losses during market corrections, highlighting the importance of risk management.
- Sector Analysis: The overbought phenomenon in the consumer staples sector may signal a shift in overall market sentiment, prompting investors to monitor industry dynamics closely to adjust their portfolios timely and maintain competitiveness in a volatile market.
See More
Tech Heavy Portfolios Under Pressure
- Money Flow Analysis: In early trading, positive money flows were observed in Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla, indicating investor confidence in these tech giants, which could further drive their stock prices upward.
- Market Concentration Issues: Most portfolios are now heavily concentrated in the 'Magnificent Seven' stocks, which may lead to increased market volatility, prompting investors to be mindful of potential risks and reward balances.
- Bitcoin Trading Status: Bitcoin is currently trading below $70,000, failing to maintain this psychological support level, which is disappointing for bullish investors and may affect overall market sentiment.
- Investment Strategy Recommendations: Investors are advised to continue holding long-term quality assets while adding tactical positions based on market signals to navigate the current uncertainty and volatility.
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Wells Fargo Increases Target Price for The Hershey Company to $220, Up from $182
Hershey Company Update: Wells Fargo has raised the target price for Hershey Company shares to $220 from $182.
Market Implications: This adjustment reflects a positive outlook on Hershey's performance in the market.
See More
MrBeast Enters Debate Over Hershey's Ingredient Changes
- Ingredient Controversy: Brad Reese, heir to the Reese's brand, criticized Hershey for allegedly altering key ingredients in their products, claiming some now contain 'peanut-butter-style crèmes' instead of traditional milk chocolate and real peanut butter, raising concerns about brand integrity.
- MrBeast's Response: YouTube star MrBeast shared Brad Reese's comments on social media, using the moment to promote his chocolate brand, Feastables, which he claims uses real peanut butter, positioning it as a competitor to legacy brands like Hershey.
- Ethics vs. Profit Debate: When questioned about his motives, MrBeast defended his brand by stating that making chocolate isn't the easiest way to achieve high margins, emphasizing Feastables' commitment to ethical sourcing, including fair trade practices and audits for child labor risks.
- Market Reaction: Hershey's shares fell by 1.63% on Friday, although the stock maintains a strong momentum rating in Benzinga's rankings, indicating a positive price trend across short, medium, and long-term periods.
See More
Dutch Bros and Hershey Options Trading Activity Surges
- Dutch Bros Options Volume: Dutch Bros Inc saw options trading volume of 36,024 contracts, equivalent to approximately 3.6 million shares, representing 60.4% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating strong market interest in the stock.
- High Demand Call Options: Notably, the $60 strike call option expiring on March 20, 2026, has seen 3,340 contracts traded today, representing about 334,000 underlying shares, suggesting investor expectations for future price increases.
- Hershey Options Activity: Hershey Company recorded an options trading volume of 14,351 contracts, approximately 1.4 million shares, accounting for 58.6% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, reflecting ongoing market interest in the company.
- Significant Call Option Trading: The $185 strike call option expiring on February 20, 2026, has seen a trading volume of 4,665 contracts today, representing around 466,500 underlying shares, indicating optimistic sentiment among investors regarding Hershey's future performance.
See More
Record $29.1 Billion Expected Spending for Valentine's Day
- Record Spending: According to the National Retail Federation's latest survey, Americans are expected to spend a record $29.1 billion this Valentine's Day, surpassing the previous record of $27.5 billion set in 2025 by nearly 6%.
- Increased Average Expenditure: The survey indicates that the average consumer will spend approximately $200 on gifts, up from last year's average of $188.81, reflecting a growing willingness to invest in gifts.
- Diverse Gift Choices: Popular gifts include candy, flowers, greeting cards, dining experiences, and jewelry, with jewelry projected to account for $7 billion in spending, highlighting consumers' preference for luxury items.
- Shift in Shopping Channels: Online shopping remains the primary channel, followed by department stores, discount stores, and specialty shops, indicating a gradual shift towards digital shopping as consumers adapt to new spending trends.
See More
Warning Signals in Consumer Staples Sector
- Overbought Warning: As of February 12, 2026, Hershey Co (NYSE:HSY) and Darling Ingredients Inc (NYSE:DAR) are flagged as overbought in the consumer staples sector, potentially posing risks to momentum-focused investors, indicating excessive market optimism towards these stocks.
- Market Trends: These overbought signals suggest that investors chasing short-term gains may overlook potential market correction risks, leading to increased price volatility in the future, which could impact overall investment strategies.
- Investor Caution: For momentum-driven investors, the current overbought status may necessitate a reassessment of holdings to avoid significant losses during market corrections, highlighting the importance of risk management.
- Sector Analysis: The overbought phenomenon in the consumer staples sector may signal a shift in overall market sentiment, prompting investors to monitor industry dynamics closely to adjust their portfolios timely and maintain competitiveness in a volatile market.
See More
Tech Heavy Portfolios Under Pressure
- Money Flow Analysis: In early trading, positive money flows were observed in Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla, indicating investor confidence in these tech giants, which could further drive their stock prices upward.
- Market Concentration Issues: Most portfolios are now heavily concentrated in the 'Magnificent Seven' stocks, which may lead to increased market volatility, prompting investors to be mindful of potential risks and reward balances.
- Bitcoin Trading Status: Bitcoin is currently trading below $70,000, failing to maintain this psychological support level, which is disappointing for bullish investors and may affect overall market sentiment.
- Investment Strategy Recommendations: Investors are advised to continue holding long-term quality assets while adding tactical positions based on market signals to navigate the current uncertainty and volatility.
See More
Wells Fargo Increases Target Price for The Hershey Company to $220, Up from $182
Hershey Company Update: Wells Fargo has raised the target price for Hershey Company shares to $220 from $182.
Market Implications: This adjustment reflects a positive outlook on Hershey's performance in the market.
See More
