On January 20, 2026, Steven E. Voskuil, serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY), proceeded with the sale of 1,500 shares of Hershey's common stock. Each share was transacted at a price of $198.67, culminating in a total sale value of $298,005. Following this disposition, Mr. Voskuil retains direct ownership of 52,319 shares in Hershey.
The stock sale was executed pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan that Mr. Voskuil established on May 20, 2025. Such plans allow insiders to schedule trades in advance, providing a structured approach to stock transactions.
Concurrent with this insider activity, Hershey has been at the center of several recent analyst reappraisals and corporate developments. Notably, Piper Sandler upgraded Hershey’s stock rating from Neutral to Overweight, highlighting easing cocoa-related expenses and the elimination of cocoa tariffs as key factors. These shifts are seen as conduits for the company to gain operational flexibility, potentially leading to reinvestments that could bolster earnings per share.
Similarly, Morgan Stanley raised Hershey to an Overweight rating, emphasizing an early-phase fundamental improvement and accelerated earnings per share growth exceeding consensus estimates. Wells Fargo contributed a tempered perspective by upgrading the stock to Equal Weight, signaling a more balanced outlook on Hershey's earnings potential in the context of anticipated relief in cocoa prices.
In addition to rating adjustments, Piper Sandler increased its price target for Hershey to $193 while maintaining a Neutral rating. The firm recognized Hershey’s resilience despite challenges such as a truncated Easter season, which can affect seasonal sales volumes.
Beyond market assessments, Hershey announced amendments to its corporate bylaws aimed at clarifying roles and leadership structures within its Board of Directors. These governance measures include changes to the Chairman of the Board position, reflecting the company’s commitment to transparency and effective leadership.