Últimas noticias sobre Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Bolsa

Hershey

Hershey is a leading us confectionery manufacturer (around a $25 billion market), controlling around 36% of the domestic chocolate space (per Euromonitor). Beyond its namesake label, the firm's mix has expanded over the last 85 years and now consists of 100 brands, including Reese's, Kit Kat, Kisses, and Ice Breakers. Hershey's products are sold in about 80 countries, albeit with just a high-single-digit percentage of sales coming from markets outside the us, including Brazil, India, and Mexico. The firm has sought inorganic opportunities to extend its reach beyond its core confection business, adding Amplify Snack Brands and its Skinny Pop ready-to-eat popcorn to its mix, Pirate Brands, and Dot's Pretzels over the past few years.

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Descubre las recientes y sorprendentes ventas de insiders en empresas como AutoNation, T-Mobile, Coinbase y Hershey.

Coinbase Global, Hershey y otras 2 acciones que los insiders están vendiendo

The Hershey Co

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Harmonic Drive Systems Inc

Jefferies analyst Rob Dickerson maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Underperform and lowers the price target from $150 to $134.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Jefferies Maintains Underperform on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $134

Barclays analyst Andrew Lazar maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Equal-Weight and lowers the price target from $180 to $170.

Barclays Maintains Equal-Weight on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $170

Wells Fargo analyst Chris Carey maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Underweight and lowers the price target from $150 to $140.

Wells Fargo Maintains Underweight on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $140

UBS analyst Peter Grom maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $189 to $163.

UBS Maintains Neutral on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $163

Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $168 to $153.

Piper Sandler Maintains Neutral on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $153

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>JP Morgan cut the price target for The Procter &amp; Gamble Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>) from $186 to $181. JP Morgan analyst Andrea Teixeira maintained an Overweight rating. Procter &amp; Gamble shares closed at $159.65 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PG/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Canaccord Genuity slashed Concentrix Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNXC#NYSE">CNXC</a>) price target from $100 to $80. Canaccord Genuity analyst Joseph Vafi maintained a Buy rating. Concentrix shares closed at $47.47 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CNXC/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>JP Morgan cut the price target for The Hershey Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) from $171 to $151. JP Morgan analyst Ken Goldman maintained a Neutral rating. Hershey shares closed at $155.31 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HSY/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Truist Securities increased the price target for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CBRL#NASDAQ">CBRL</a>) from $48 to $51. Truist Securities analyst Jake Bartlett maintained a Hold rating. Cracker Barrel shares closed at $57.57 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CBRL/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Baird raised DexCom, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DXCM#NASDAQ">DXCM</a>) price target from $86 to $104. Baird analyst Jeff Johnson upgraded the stock from Neutral to Outperform. DexCom shares settled at $80.40 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DXCM/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Deutsche Bank raised The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BK#NYSE">BK</a>) price target from $94 to $98. Deutsche Bank analyst Brian Bedell maintained a Buy rating. Bank of New York Mellon shares closed at $82.04 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BK/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Citigroup slashed StoneCo Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STNE#NASDAQ">STNE</a>) price target from $19 to $9. Citigroup analyst Gustavo Schroden downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral. StoneCo shares closed at $8.74 on Wednesday.  <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/STNE/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>JP Morgan raised the price target for Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LULU#NASDAQ">LULU</a>) from $428 to $437. JP Morgan analyst Matthew Boss maintained an Overweight rating. Lululemon shares settled at $376.66 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LULU/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Northland Capital Markets raised Vitesse Energy, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTS#NYSE">VTS</a>) price target from $28 to $31. Northland Capital Markets analyst Bobby Brooks maintained an Outperform rating. Vitesse Energy shares closed at $27.12 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VTS/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>JP Morgan raised The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) price target from $550 to $605. JP Morgan analyst Kian Abouhossein maintained an Overweight rating. Goldman Sachs shares closed at $605.92 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GS/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
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Lululemon To Rally Around 16%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Thursday

JP Morgan analyst Ken Goldman maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $171 to $151.

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $151

WIIM

Hershey shares are trading lower following a report suggesting CEO Michelle Buck will depart.

<a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/01/10/2025/hersheys-under-pressure-expected-to-replace-ceo" title="https://www.semafor.com/article/01/10/2025/hersheys-under-pressure-expected-to-replace-ceo">https://www.semafor.com/article/01/10/2025/hersheys-under-pressure-expected-to-replace-ceo</a>

Management

'Hershey, Under Pressure, To Lay Out CEO Departure' - Semafor

TD Cowen analyst Robert Moskow maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Hold and lowers the price target from $190 to $172.

TD Cowen Maintains Hold on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $172

Hershey shares are trading lower following a Bloomberg report indicating the company is asking US regulators for permission to acquire a large cocoa position in the New York exchange.

<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-08/hershey-seeks-cftc-help-to-take-huge-cocoa-position-in-new-york?srnd=homepage-americas">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-08/hershey-seeks-cftc-help-to-take-huge-cocoa-position-in-new-york?srnd=homepage-americas</a>
&nbsp;
Hershey Co. is asking the US's top derivatives regulator for permission to buy a huge amount of cocoa through the New York exchange after global shortages sent prices to a record, according to people familiar with the matter.

'Hershey Seeks CFTC Help To Take Huge Cocoa Position In New York' - Bloomberg News

Citigroup analyst Thomas Palmer maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Sell and lowers the price target from $165 to $159.

Citigroup Maintains Sell on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $159

Wells Fargo analyst Chris Carey maintains Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) with a Underweight and lowers the price target from $160 to $150.

Wells Fargo Maintains Underweight on Hershey, Lowers Price Target to $150

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) disclosed recent purchases of several stocks on Christmas Eve, according to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/members/marjorie-taylor-greene">Benzinga Government Trades.</a>
Here's a look at what the far-right politician bought.
What Happened: Greene has been an active trader of stocks while in Congress, based on her disclosures over the years.
After going several years without disclosing any trades, Greene <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/05/38611874/marjorie-taylor-greene-reveals-new-stock-trades-after-2-year-gap-berkshire-hathway-goldman-sachs">disclosed several purchases</a> in May. She also made<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/11/41754747/is-marjorie-taylor-greene-betting-on-trump-victory-buys-apple-meta-tesla-stocks-ahead-of-2024-electi"> multiple transactions</a> later in September, October and November.
Greene recently disclosed multiple stock purchases that happened on Dec. 24. Here are the trades that she made, with each valued between $1,000 and $15,000:
<ul>
<li>Adobe Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADBE#NASDAQ">ADBE</a>)</li>
<li>Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>)</li>
<li>Applied Materials (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>)</li>
<li>Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAT#NYSE">CAT</a>)</li>
<li>Duke Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUK#NYSE">DUK</a>)</li>
<li>Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>)</li>
<li>Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILD#NASDAQ">GILD</a>)</li>
<li>Johnson and Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>)</li>
<li>Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)</li>
<li>Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)</li>
<li>Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSC#NYSE">NSC</a>)</li>
<li>NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)</li>
<li>ServiceNow (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOW#NYSE">NOW</a>)</li>
<li>The Hershey Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>)</li>
</ul>
Of these stocks bought in the latest disclosures, Eli Lilly, Gilead and Norfolk Southern are new buys for Greene over the last two years.
The rest of the stocks are already owned by Greene with her adding to her position. Several of the stocks, like Hershey have been bought four times by Greene in 2024.
Did You Know?
<ul>
<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent123124">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
</ul>
Why It's Important: The trading activity of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/congress-trading">members of Congress </a>continues to be a hot-button item closely monitored by retail investors and the public.
President Joe Biden <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42538504/biden-endorses-ban-of-congressional-stock-trading-nobody-in-the-congress-should-be-able-to-make-money-in-the-stock-market-while-in-office">endorsed a ban</a>, suggesting Congress members shouldn&#8217;t be able to trade stocks and options while in office.
&#8220;Nobody in the Congress should be able to make money in the stock market while they&#8217;re in the Congress,&#8221; Biden said in an interview with political advisor&nbsp;Faiz Shakir.
There have been numerous calls to vote for Congress members to vote for a ban on Congressional trading, but a vote has not happened. Representative&nbsp;Ro Khanna&nbsp;(D-Calif.)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/05/39096827/exclusive-khanna-says-shameful-congress-members-profited-from-stocks-calls-for-trading-ban-makin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previously told Benzinga&nbsp;</a>that he will continue to advocate for a vote to ban the practice.
Congressional committee assignments can create conflicts of interest when trades are disclosed. Greene serves on the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, which could give her information on government contracts for technology companies.
Greene's latest stock purchases in November and the new disclosures show a continued bet on technology stocks going forward. Chip stocks and technology companies were among&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/10/41584466/these-10-stocks-were-the-best-s-p-500-performers-in-2017-when-trump-was-president-will-history-r" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the best performing&nbsp;</a>in the S&amp;P 500 in 2017, Trump&#8217;s first year in the White House previously.
Tech giants Meta and Microsoft remain popular for Greene in 2024 with multiple purchases made. A pending ban of TikTok could benefit Meta in 2025.
Greene is also positioning her portfolio with several healthcare names like Eli Lilly, Gilead and Johnson and Johnson.
A deal between Mondelez International (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>) and Hershey could benefit Greene if the chocolate company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/ma/24/12/42496403/deal-dispatch-hershey-monelez-houlihan-intevac-onion-infowars">approves an acquisition</a>.
While Greene has been actively buying stocks over the last several months, she has not reported selling her shares of Trump Media &amp; Technology (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>), the Trump co-founded media company that completed a SPAC merger earlier this year.
Greene <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/09/41031499/marjorie-taylor-greene-stays-loyal-to-trump-keeps-djt-stock-buys-into-warren-buffetts-berkshire-in-l">disclosed buying</a>&nbsp;Digital World Acquisition&nbsp;shares back in October 2021, the SPAC that took&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;media company public in March 2024.
The transaction was done with shares trading between $67.96 to $118.80. A tweet from UnusualWhales pins the purchase price at $94.20, meaning Greene is down significantly on her $15,000 to $50,000 purchase in the Trump-linked stock. Shares of DJT trade at $39.13 at the time of writing.
Previous disclosures by Greene have shown buys of Tesla and Berkshire Hathaway stock. Greene's portfolio currently consists of investments tied to some of the richest people in the world including Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and Jensen Huang. Her portfolio also has exposure to Trump via his media company.
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Image: Shutterstock

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Marjorie Taylor Greene Went Christmas Shopping For Stocks, Here's What She Bought Before Holiday

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New On The Block</h2>
Intevac, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVAC#NASDAQ">IVAC</a>), which manufactures technologies for applications like solar cells and hard disk drives, has undergone a makeover. With its old restructuring woes in the rearview mirror, the company&#8217;s forecasted EBITDA is looking a lot healthier — basically, it&#8217;s flexing its financial muscles. Now, investment bank Houlihan Lokey is putting out feelers to see what kind of strategic alternatives are out there, which basically means they're chatting with anyone who might want <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mergers-and-acquisitions">to ink a deal</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Updates From The Block</h2>
Hershey Trust Co., holding a hefty 80% of the voting power at The Hershey Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>), recently told Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>) to try again after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42398159/whats-going-on-with-hershey-stock-monday">rejecting their preliminary bid</a>, calling it &#8220;too low,&#8221; according to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-11/hershey-s-main-owner-said-to-reject-mondelez-s-offer-as-too-low?sref=TBDibEcD&amp;embedded-checkout=true">Bloomberg</a>. Meanwhile, Mondelez is wrestling with skyrocketing cocoa and coffee prices, possibly using that stress as fuel for their merger plans. Cocoa prices have gone through the roof—up over three times in the past year, and there was a 20% leap between October and November alone. Blame it on bad weather in cocoa-growing regions, shrinking global inventories, and the usual supply chain drama. Even BofA Securities analyst Peter T. Galbo jumped in, noting that Hershey looks like a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42483141/hershey-merger-talks-fail">pretty tasty merger target</a> amid all the cocoa chaos​.
Nippon Life Insurance wants to acquire all the shares it doesn&#8217;t already own in Resolution Life Group Holdings. The all-cash deal of $8.2 billion is the largest overseas acquisition ever by a Japanese insurer. It&#8217;s also only the second major deal Nippon Life has announced this year. It's clear that Japanese insurers, like Nippon Life, are on the lookout for opportunities abroad.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Off The Block</h2>
Dow agreed to sell a 40% stake in its U.S. Gulf Coast infrastructure assets to a fund managed by Macquarie Asset Management for $2.4 billion. The new partnership, cheekily named Diamond Infrastructure Solutions, will act as a go-to provider of top-tier infrastructure services for Dow and other industrial clients in Texas and Louisiana.
Novolex, the packaging giant backed by Apollo Global Management, has sealed the deal to acquire Pactiv Evergreen. The price hovers around <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42395976/pactiv-evergreen-realreal-kodiak-sciences-and-other-big-stocks-moving-higher-on-monday">$3.22 billion</a>. The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/apollo-backed-novolex-to-buy-pactiv-evergreen-for-3-22-billion-0e4815cf">reported</a> that the price tag equates to about $18 per share in cash, which is a sweet 23% premium over the stock's closing price of $14.66 on Dec. 6. It's also about 32% above where Pactiv's stock was trading on Dec. 2, right before rumors started flying about Apollo sniffing around for a takeover. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bankruptcy Block</h2>
The Onion's owners are upset with a bankruptcy judge for nixing their winning bid to buy Alex Jones&#8216; Infowars company. A federal bankruptcy judge declared <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/11/41982446/jokes-on-jones-onion-backed-by-families-of-sandy-hook-victims-buys-info-wars">last month's auction</a> and The Onion's offer "flawed," citing issues like a lack of transparency and an uneven playing field, as well as the failure to maximize value for Jones' creditors. This decision came after Elon Musk <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42229130/elon-musks-x-objects-to-sale-of-conspiracy-theorist-alex-joness-infowars-accounts-to-the-onion-claims-ownership-over-joness-social-media">stirred the pot</a>. Jones vowed that even if Infowars gets shut down, he'll simply move his operations to his backup studios and keep broadcasting via satellites, stations, and of course, Musk&#8217;s X platform. Despite all the drama, the ruling was a rare victory for Jones, who's been battling legal claims from the families of victims from the Sandy Hook tragedy, which he defamed by calling it a hoax.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notes From The Block</h2>
Fitch Ratings <a href="https://www.fitchratings.com/research/corporate-finance/us-corporate-m-a-could-accelerate-in-2025-credit-implications-mixed-02-12-2024">identified</a> several sectors with ample dry powder and legroom for acquisitions. They include construction, aerospace, gaming and leisure, healthcare, banking, and tech. Benzinga narrowed down which companies, based on growth potential and brand recognition, will likely attract suitors in 2025. These are primarily mid-size firms with market caps between $5 and $12 billion.
<ul>
<li>Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BROS#NYSE">BROS</a>): This takeover target boasts expanding profits, minimal debt load, strong brand recognition, and potentially untapped markets in the coffee-crazed northeastern U.S.</li>
<li>Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>): On Dec. 10, news broke that Sycamore Partners was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42421855/walgreens-stock-jumps-on-report-of-potential-private-equity-sale-what-you-need-to-know">exploring an acquisition</a> of Walgreens, who intend to take the company private and potentially split up its divisions.</li>
<li>Roku Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROKU#NASDAQ">ROKU</a>): ROKU's market cap is just under $12 billion, which is couch cushion cash for companies like Disney, Netflix, or Apple that could benefit from adding a hardware supplier</li>
<li>Zoom Video Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZM#NASDAQ">ZM</a>): With a $26 billion market cap, Zoom needs a buyer with deep pockets like Google, Microsoft, or Apple, but the company has plenty of positive free cash flow and a sturdy balance sheet.</li>
</ul>
For <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/24/12/42473024/5-merger-and-acquisition-targets-to-buy-before-trump-takes-over">more coverage, click here</a>.
For last week&#8217;s Deal Dispatch, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42378209/deal-dispatch-ubisoft-in-buyout-talks-dental-supplier-explores-sale-beloved-drive-through-goes-bankrupt">click here</a>.
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Deal Dispatch: Hershey Wants More From Mondelez, Houlihan Shops Intevac, Onion And Infowars Saga Continues

Bank of America Securities and other experts are weighing in on the breakdown in merger talks between The Hershey Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42446249/whats-going-on-with-hershey-shares-wednesday">Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>). </a>
What Happened: Early Wednesday morning, Mondelez announced a new $9 billion share repurchase program. The Chicago-based company also addressed its M&amp;A strategy while reports of deal discussions with Hershey swirled.
In a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/12/g42435009/mondel-z-international-approves-new-9-billion-share-repurchase-authorization-and-declares-regular-">press release</a>, Mondelez confirmed that it remains &#8220;committed to its key capital allocation priorities.&#8221; Those priorities include &#8220;reinvesting in brands and capabilities, returning capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends, and M&amp;A.&#8221;
Its acquisition strategy will focus on bolt-on assets similar to recent purchases of Chipita, Clif and Ricolino.
Later on Wednesday, it was reported that Hershey Trust Co., which holds 80% of the voting power in Hershey Co., turned down a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42398159/whats-going-on-with-hershey-stock-monday"> preliminary bid</a> from Mondelez. Hershey said the offer was too low, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-11/hershey-s-main-owner-said-to-reject-mondelez-s-offer-as-too-low?sref=TBDibEcD&amp;embedded-checkout=true">according</a> to Bloomberg. 
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Expert Insights: Steve Powers, Deutsche Bank managing director, told CNBC on Thursday that Mondelez is facing several challenges including high cocoa and coffee prices which may be one of the drivers behind the company&#8217;s merger strategy. 
Cocoa prices have more than tripled over the past year, climbing 20% from October to November alone. Cocoa prices have been <a href="https://www.focus-economics.com/commodities/agricultural/cocoa/">driven higher</a> by adverse weather conditions in regions where its grown, decreased global inventories and supply uncertainty. 
BofA Securities analyst Peter T. Galbo made similar observations on the price of cocoa and highlighted Hershey as an attractive merger candidate for global confectionary companies due to its strong North American market share and modernized manufacturing network.&nbsp;
Galbo also noted that self-help has been a recurring theme in consumer staples and portfolio reshaping through mergers, acquisitions and divestitures is prominent in the industry when companies seek new growth opportunities. 
MDLZ Buyback: The BofA analyst said Mondelez's newly announced $9 billion share repurchase authorization was likely coincidental and unrelated to merger talks with Hershey.&nbsp;
He pointed to funds received from its sale of JDE Peet's, recent stock performance and only $2.8 billion remaining on its prior authorization as the most likely factors contributing to the expanded buyback program.
BofA Securities analyst Peter T. Galbo maintained a Buy rating and $82 price objective on Mondelez stock.
Price Action: According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, Hershey shares are down .11% at $183.75 in pre-market trading Friday.
Mondelez shares are down 0.69% at $62.20 at the time of publication Friday.
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Image: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Buybacks

Movers

Hershey Merger Talks Melt: Did High Cocoa Prices, Mondelez Buyback Program Hurt Deal?

Merger and acquisitions activity peaked in the United States in 2021, but after SPACs got shellacked and the Biden administration took a harsher view of large-scale mergers, deals became fewer and further between.
This trend is expected to reverse in 2025 as the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates and a more M&amp;A-friendly Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enters the fold. Analysts at Goldman Sachs expect many <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/goldman-sachs-sees-more-larger-162800585.html">larger-scale deals</a> to be explored in the next 12 months, and one may already be underway as Mondelez International (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MLDZ#NASDAQ">MLDZ</a>) is again considering purchasing chocolate conglomerate Hershey Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>).
Today, we'll explore five more stocks that could be M&amp;A targets in 2025.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How We Made Our Picks</h2>
Fitch Ratings has identified <a href="https://www.fitchratings.com/research/corporate-finance/us-corporate-m-a-could-accelerate-in-2025-credit-implications-mixed-02-12-2024">several sectors</a> with ample dry powder and legroom for acquisitions, such as homebuilding and construction, aerospace, gaming and leisure, healthcare, banking, and (of course) tech. We looked for companies in these industries and narrowed down our selections based on growth potential, brand recognition, financial position, and number of potential suitors. These are primarily mid-size firms with market caps between $5 and $12 billion.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BROS#NYSE">BROS</a>)</h3>
If you're annoyed waiting in long lines at Starbucks or Dunkin&#8217; for your morning coffee, you aren't alone. Even with mobile orders and online promos, drive-thru lines are a constant pressure point for big chains, and as coffee prices continue to rise, customers might consider eschewing the line altogether.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="304" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/Bros-1024x304.png" alt="" class="wp-image-690339" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/Bros-1024x304.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/Bros-300x89.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/Bros-768x228.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/Bros.png 1302w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Artisan coffee chains like Dutch Bros might be a way for bigger companies to gain a competitive edge without sacrificing quality. BROS is a fast-growing coffee chain with over 900 stores in the United States, mainly in the Western part of the country, that prides itself on quick drive-thru experiences and attentive service. While 900 stores might seem quaint to giants like Starbucks, this is impressive growth from the 135 stores in operation in 2009, and the company also sells its name-brand varieties online. Dutch Bros revenue growth has continued its steady ascent, and gross profits have more than doubled since 2020. BROS is a takeover target thanks to these expanding profits, minimal debt load, strong brand recognition, and potentially untapped markets in the coffee-crazed northeastern United States.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>)</h3>
Walgreens has long been a takeover target, but realistic dealmaking scenarios have failed to materialize, and the stock has been stuck in a multi-year decline. While a public acquisition has eluded WBA, 2025 could be the year the company returns to private markets.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="304" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/WBA-1024x304.png" alt="" class="wp-image-690340" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/WBA-1024x304.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/WBA-300x89.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/WBA-768x228.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163047/WBA.png 1302w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
On December 10, news broke that Sycamore Partners was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42421855/walgreens-stock-jumps-on-report-of-potential-private-equity-sale-what-you-need-to-know">exploring an acquisition</a> of Walgreens, who intend to take the company private and potentially split up its divisions. WBA stock has plummeted from a $100 billion market cap in 2015 to just $8.5 billion at the end of 2024, making a private market acquisition much more feasible.
<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/earnings-gaps-masterclass-registration/?utm_source=RD-1213">Last Chance Before 2025 Earnings Season</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Roku Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROKU#NASDAQ">ROKU</a>)</h3>
Roku's stock chart will forever be distorted by the COVID-19 pandemic and meme stock craze, which saw its price jump from $100 to $500 in less than a year. When rates began rising in early 2022, ROKU was decimated and has traded under $100 per share for the better part of the last two years. But Netflix and Disney+ have shown that streaming services are the new way Americans watch TV, and Roku provides hardware and software to bring these services into living rooms.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="299" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ROKU-1024x299.png" alt="" class="wp-image-690341" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ROKU-1024x299.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ROKU-300x88.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ROKU-768x224.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ROKU.png 1300w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
ROKU made a record $1.5 billion in gross profits in 2023 thanks to more customers ditching cable for streaming services requiring Roku's products, such as smart TVs, streaming sticks, and the all-new Roku Ultra, the company's fastest and highest-quality device. ROKU's market cap is just under $12 billion, which is couch cushion cash for companies like Disney, Netflix, or Apple that could benefit from adding a hardware supplier that can entice potential customers to sign up for their services (and steer them from the competition).
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Zoom Video Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZM#NASDAQ">ZM</a>)</h3>
Another company with a rollercoaster stock chart is Zoom, the video conferencing service that kept people connected during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Zoom found itself in the right place at the right time, and its stock exploded from $76 in January 2020 to nearly $500 by the start of November. But by August 2022, the stock had given up all its COVID gains and settled back under $100.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="300" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ZM-1024x300.png" alt="" class="wp-image-690342" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ZM-1024x300.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ZM-300x88.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ZM-768x225.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163048/ZM.png 1302w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
ZM shares have traded under the $100 mark for most of the last two years, but the previous three months have shown the stock shaking off the cobwebs. In October, ZM's 50-day moving average made a bullish cross over the 200-day MA, and there's optimism that Zoom's infrastructure, brand recognition, and return to positive sales growth will make it a desirable acquisition in 2025. With a $26 billion market cap, Zoom needs a buyer with deep pockets like Google, Microsoft, or Apple, but the company has plenty of positive free cash flow and a sturdy balance sheet.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">SPDR Regional Banking ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRE#NYSE">KRE</a>)</h3>
Now, no one is actually looking to acquire a banking ETF. However, the small and mid-size bank sector is ripe for consolidation, and the performance of this index shows how much optimism has flooded the industry since Donald Trump's election night victory. In 2023, the number of FDIC-insured commercial banks <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/184536/number-of-fdic-insured-us-commercial-bank-institutions/">grew to 4,470</a>, the first expansion in more than two decades (over 8,000 banks were insured in 2000). Many market analysts believe this to be a one-time blip and expect consolidation to resume under new FTC leadership.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="300" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163103/KRE-1024x300.png" alt="" class="wp-image-690343" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163103/KRE-1024x300.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163103/KRE-300x88.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163103/KRE-768x225.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12163103/KRE.png 1302w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
The S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF got a massive boost on the Wednesday following the presidential election as a deregulation agenda paves the way for bank mergers and acquisitions. KRE is a relatively small fund with only $5.7 billion in assets under management, but it holds a diverse range of regional banking stocks. Over 140 banks and financial services firms fill the index, ranging from large caps like Truist Financial ($60 billion market cap) to niche local banks like Atlantic Union Bancshares (under $4 billion market cap). Selecting which of the more than 4,000 banks will be acquired is a monumental task; buying this small ETF is a way to take advantage of the overall M&amp;A trend.
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Opinion

MLDZ

5 Merger and Acquisition Targets to Buy Before Trump Takes Over

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Goldman Sachs analyst Noah Poponak downgraded the rating for General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>) from Neutral to Sell and lowered the price target from $283 to $245. General Dynamics shares closed at $265.43 on Wednesday.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GD/analyst-ratings"> See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Deutsche Bank analyst Stephen Powers downgraded Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDLZ#NASDAQ">MDLZ</a>) from Buy to Hold and cut the price target from $78 to $67. Mondelez shares closed at $62.69 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MDLZ/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>UBS analyst Curt Woodworth downgraded Nucor Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NUE#NYSE">NUE</a>) from Buy to Neutral and lowered the price target from $171 to $156. Nucor shares closed at $138.44 on Wednesday. See how other analysts view this stock.</li>
<li>Keybanc analyst Brandon Nispel downgraded the rating for T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>) from Overweight to Sector Weight and maintained the price target of $252. T-Mobile US shares closed at $234.34 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TMUS/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Wells Fargo analyst Chris Carey downgraded the rating for The Hershey Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) from Equal-Weight to Underweight and slashed the price target from $175 to $160. Hershey shares closed at $177.00 on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HSY/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
Considering buying HSY stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="591" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12095131/image-104-1024x591.png" alt="" class="wp-image-689625" style="width:470px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12095131/image-104-1024x591.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12095131/image-104-300x173.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12095131/image-104-768x444.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12095131/image-104.png 1103w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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</ul>

Downgrades

This Hershey Analyst Turns Bearish; Here Are Top 5 Downgrades For Thursday

Wells Fargo analyst Chris Carey downgrades Hershey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HSY#NYSE">HSY</a>) from Equal-Weight to Underweight and lowers the price target from $175 to $160.

Wells Fargo Downgrades Hershey to Underweight, Lowers Price Target to $160

Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery maintained a Hold rating on The Hershey Company (HSY – Research Report) today and set a price target of $153.0...

Piper Sandler Remains a Hold on The Hershey Company (HSY)

UBS lowered the firm's price target on Hershey (HSY) to $163 from $189 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. Sentiment around Consumer Staples ...

Hershey price target lowered to $163 from $189 at UBS

Commodity Roundup: Cocoa, coffee drive bullish sentiment amid supply-side concerns - BMI

The Hershey Company (HSY – Research Report), the Consumer Defensive sector company, was revisited by a Wall Street analyst today. Analyst Christoph...

Hershey Co. Faces Setbacks: CEO Transition, Earnings Reset, and Cocoa Inflation Drive Sell Rating

Wells Fargo lowered the firm's price target on Hershey (HSY) to $140 from $150 and keeps an Underweight rating on the shares. On January 10, Hershe...

Hershey price target lowered to $140 from $150 at Wells Fargo

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Sugar prices have fallen to their lowest level in three years on news that India is restarting exports of the popular sweetener. India, the world's...

Sugar Prices Hit Three-Year Low

Jefferies lowered the firm's price target on Hershey (HSY) to $134 from $150 and keeps an Underperform rating on the shares. The firm's work on coc...

Hershey price target lowered to $134 from $150 at Jefferies

Sky-high cocoa prices are beginning to leave a bad taste in investors' mouths, with confectionary giants Mondelez ($MDLZ) and Hershey ($HSY) hit by...

Mondelez (NASDAQ:MDLZ) and Hershey Cut as Barry Callebaut Says Sky-High Cocoa Prices Weigh on Outlook

Like a growing number of food and beverage stocks, Kraft Heinz shares ($KHC) are at multi-year lows. However, while I've previously taken a contrar...

Are Call Options the Best Way to Capitalize on Kraft Heinz Stock?

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Press Releases

Hershey Expands Sweets Portfolio with Acquisition of Sour Strips

KIT KAT® Brand Debuts First-Ever Seasonal Shape: KIT KAT® Santas

Michele Buck to Assume Leadership of U.S. Confection Business on Interim Basis Upon Departure of Michael Del Pozzo

Hershey to Webcast Fourth-Quarter Conference Call

Hershey Seeks Permission To Buy Huge Amount Of Cocoa

Hershey Announces CEO Succession Plan

Hershey Announces Appointments of New Presidents of Confection and Salty Divisions

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