Hershey’s (HSY) stock has experienced a pullback from its 52-week high of $239, following a strong Q4 report in February. Despite this, shares have gained over 20% year-to-date, positioning Hershey as a defensive stock amid recent market volatility linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Hershey reported a robust 28% year-over-year increase in its Salty Snacks segment for Q4, totaling $357 million in sales. The company expects annual sales to rise by 5% in the current year, with projections reaching $12.54 billion by fiscal 2027. Furthermore, Hershey continues to provide a consistent annual dividend yield of 2.58%, surpassing the S&P 500’s average of 1.11%.
Hershey’s earnings estimates have been revised upwards by over 13% for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with expected earnings of $8.16 and $9.48 per share, respectively. Having beaten Q4 EPS expectations by 22%, Hershey’s stable cash flows and strong brand loyalty support its defensive positioning in uncertain economic times.
