Wednesday's ETF Movers: PTF, IYK
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 15 2025
0mins
Should l Buy HSY?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF Performance: The iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF is underperforming, down approximately 0.6% during Wednesday afternoon trading.
Weak Performers in the ETF: Key components such as Church & Dwight and Hershey are contributing to this decline, with their shares falling by about 2.7% and 2.1%, respectively.
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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: 230.850
Low
181.00
Averages
196.27
High
222.00
Current: 230.850
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.
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
US Stocks Plunge as Tech Sector Leads Decline
- Tech Sector Decline: Qualcomm's (QCOM) forecast of weaker-than-expected Q2 revenue led to an over 8% drop in its stock, triggering a sell-off across the tech sector, with the Nasdaq 100 index hitting a 2.5-month low, indicating waning investor confidence in technology stocks.
- Weak Labor Market Signals: Challenger's report revealed a staggering 117.8% year-over-year increase in job cuts for January, totaling 108,435, the highest for January since 2009, while initial jobless claims rose by 22,000 to 231,000, highlighting vulnerabilities in the US labor market that could hinder economic recovery.
- Bitcoin Plunge: Bitcoin (^BTCUSD) plummeted over 12% to a 1.25-year low, reflecting deepening negative momentum in the cryptocurrency market, with approximately $2 billion flowing out of Bitcoin ETFs in the past month, signaling a decline in investor confidence.
- Earnings Season Impact: Despite 150 S&P 500 companies set to report earnings this week, market focus on economic data intensifies, with S&P 500 earnings expected to grow by 8.4% in Q4, yet overall market sentiment remains suppressed by recent economic weakness.
See More
HERSHEY: JEFFERIES INCREASES TARGET PRICE FROM $191 TO $220
Hershey's Price Increase: Hershey has raised its target price to $220 from $191.
Market Impact: This adjustment reflects the company's performance and market expectations.
See More
Hershey Company Projects Positive Outlook for 2026
- Sales Growth Momentum: Hershey's net sales increased by 7% in Q4 to $3.1 billion, with full-year sales growing 4.4%, demonstrating strong performance in the fast-moving consumer goods market, enhancing market share and brand influence.
- Strategic Acquisition Impact: The acquisition of LesserEvil completed in November 2025 further strengthens Hershey's better-for-you snacking platform, expected to drive incremental growth in this rapidly expanding market, enhancing the company's competitiveness in the health snack sector.
- Cost Management and Savings: The AAA transformation program has generated over $300 million in net savings over the past two years, with an additional $100 million projected for 2026, which not only improves margins but also provides funding for future investments.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Management projects net sales growth of 4% to 5% for 2026, with adjusted EPS expected to grow by 30% to 35%, reflecting confidence in innovation and brand investment despite challenges from consumer financial pressures and health 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
US Stocks Plunge as Tech Sector Leads Decline
- Tech Sector Decline: Qualcomm's (QCOM) forecast of weaker-than-expected Q2 revenue led to an over 8% drop in its stock, triggering a sell-off across the tech sector, with the Nasdaq 100 index hitting a 2.5-month low, indicating waning investor confidence in technology stocks.
- Weak Labor Market Signals: Challenger's report revealed a staggering 117.8% year-over-year increase in job cuts for January, totaling 108,435, the highest for January since 2009, while initial jobless claims rose by 22,000 to 231,000, highlighting vulnerabilities in the US labor market that could hinder economic recovery.
- Bitcoin Plunge: Bitcoin (^BTCUSD) plummeted over 12% to a 1.25-year low, reflecting deepening negative momentum in the cryptocurrency market, with approximately $2 billion flowing out of Bitcoin ETFs in the past month, signaling a decline in investor confidence.
- Earnings Season Impact: Despite 150 S&P 500 companies set to report earnings this week, market focus on economic data intensifies, with S&P 500 earnings expected to grow by 8.4% in Q4, yet overall market sentiment remains suppressed by recent economic weakness.
See More
HERSHEY: JEFFERIES INCREASES TARGET PRICE FROM $191 TO $220
Hershey's Price Increase: Hershey has raised its target price to $220 from $191.
Market Impact: This adjustment reflects the company's performance and market expectations.
See More
Hershey Company Projects Positive Outlook for 2026
- Sales Growth Momentum: Hershey's net sales increased by 7% in Q4 to $3.1 billion, with full-year sales growing 4.4%, demonstrating strong performance in the fast-moving consumer goods market, enhancing market share and brand influence.
- Strategic Acquisition Impact: The acquisition of LesserEvil completed in November 2025 further strengthens Hershey's better-for-you snacking platform, expected to drive incremental growth in this rapidly expanding market, enhancing the company's competitiveness in the health snack sector.
- Cost Management and Savings: The AAA transformation program has generated over $300 million in net savings over the past two years, with an additional $100 million projected for 2026, which not only improves margins but also provides funding for future investments.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Management projects net sales growth of 4% to 5% for 2026, with adjusted EPS expected to grow by 30% to 35%, reflecting confidence in innovation and brand investment despite challenges from consumer financial pressures and health trends.
See More
