These three stocks pay growing dividends, with yields currently among their highest on record.It's difficult for companies to stay at the top of their industries for long. The competition in the global economy is just too fierce. Yet, there are proven winners, such as Nike (NKE 2.94%), Hershey (HSY -0.33%), and PepsiCo (PEP 0.08%), that have stood the test of time due to their beloved brands and the pricing power it gives them.But even the best face adversity from time to time. As magnificent as they are, t ...

The latest trading session saw Hershey (HSY) ending at $153.72, denoting a +2% adjustment from its last day's close. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily loss of 1.46%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.65%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 3.07%.Shares of the chocolate bar and candy maker witnessed a loss of 12.26% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Consumer Staples sector with its loss of 1.99% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.08%.Analysts and ...

Stocks Trading Near Multi-Year Lows - Stocks trading near multi-year lows may present buying opportunities for long-term investors, but they often indicate significant business challenges [1][2] - Three stocks currently trading near multi-year lows are Hershey, PepsiCo, and Moderna [3] Hershey (HSY) - Hershey is trading near its 52-week low, with the last time it was cheaper being early 2021, marking a near four-year low [4] - Sales for the first nine months of 2024 totaled $8.3 billion, declining by over 2%, while earnings of $1.4 billion fell by 6% [5] - The company faces challenges from higher cocoa prices and a tough macroeconomic environment, leading to cost-control measures [5] - Hershey trades at 18 times trailing earnings, with a payout ratio of around 60% and a dividend yield of 3.6%, higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.3% [6] - The company owns strong brands like Reese's and Twizzlers, making it a potential long-term investment for patient dividend investors [6] PepsiCo (PEP) - PepsiCo is also experiencing slowing demand, with net revenue of $64.1 billion for the 36-week period ending Sept 7, 2024, up just 0.7% year-over-year [7] - Earnings per share grew by 4%, but declining volumes offset the impact of price increases [7] - The stock is trading at levels not seen since mid-2021, with a trailing earnings multiple of 22 and a dividend yield of 3.7% [8] - PepsiCo is a Dividend King, having raised its dividend for 52 consecutive years, making it attractive for long-term investors despite short-term challenges [8][9] - The company's diversified portfolio of snack and beverage brands positions it well for a potential long-term recovery [9] Moderna (MRNA) - Moderna has effectively given back all its pandemic-related gains and is now trading at April 2020 levels [10] - The company faces uncertainty due to declining COVID-related sales and a lack of clarity on its future growth prospects [11] - Moderna's market cap is $13 billion, but its valuation could decline further as it struggles to grow operations and achieve profitability [11] - The company reported a $2.7 billion loss from operations in the first nine months of 2024, an improvement from a $4.2 billion loss in the prior-year period [12] - Moderna is in cost-cutting mode and has reduced its guidance, making it a risky investment until it demonstrates consistent growth and profitability [12]

What is likely just normal succession planning could lead to a much-needed refocusing at the candy giant.In this video, Motley Fool contributors Jason Hall and Tyler Crowe break down the news that the longtime CEO and board chair of Hershey (HSY 0.62%) announced her retirement recently, what it means for the company, and what to expect.*Stock prices used were from the afternoon of Jan. 15, 2025. The video was published on Jan. 17, 2025. ...

There's going to be a new nameplate before long on a C-suite door of candy company Hershey (HSY -1.25%). Just after market hours last Friday -- considered by many public relations professionals to be a suitable time slot to release bad news -- it announced that CEO Michele Buck will exit the company. This was an unexpected development. After all, Buck has been at Hershey for nearly 20 years, and CEOs at the conservatively managed company tend to stay for a while (Buck herself began her tenure in that positi ...

Leadership Changes - Andrew Archambault joins Hershey from Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) and will oversee iconic brands including Hershey's, Reese's, and Jolly Rancher, bringing extensive experience in brand evolution and strategic growth [1][5] - Vero Villasenor, a 22-year Hershey veteran, is promoted to President of Salty Snacks, leveraging her experience in management, marketing, and innovation across Hershey's business units [1][3][5] - Kristen Riggs, who led the integration of Dot's and Pretzel's, Inc, is leaving Hershey after 20 years to pursue other opportunities [1][5] Strategic Vision and Growth - Hershey aims to advance its vision as a leading snacking powerhouse, with Archambault and Villasenor expected to drive the next phase of growth [1][3] - Villasenor emphasizes her commitment to delivering accelerated growth in the Salty Snacks segment, focusing on customer satisfaction and innovation [6] - Archambault highlights his excitement to join Hershey during a period of strategic transformation and contribute to the company's growth ambitions [3] Company Overview - Hershey is an industry-leading snacks company with over 90 brand names in approximately 80 countries, generating more than $11.2 billion in annual revenues [6] - The company operates with a commitment to fairness, ethics, and sustainability, with a long-standing focus on education through the Milton Hershey School [2] - Hershey employs over 20,000 people globally, delivering high-quality products under iconic brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Kit Kat®, and SkinnyPop [6]

Nike - Nike's stock is down 59% from its previous high, presenting a potential buying opportunity [1] - The company recently hired Elliott Hill, a former 32-year Nike veteran, as its new CEO, which could catalyze a turnaround [1] - Nike's revenue fell 8% year-over-year in the most recent quarter, reflecting a challenging economic environment [9] - The company generated $4.9 billion in net income over the last year and paid out 34% of its earnings per share in dividends [11] - Nike raised its quarterly dividend by 8% to $0.40, resulting in a forward yield of 2.19% [11] - The athletic wear market is expected to reach $451 billion by 2028, with Nike being the top brand with $49 billion in annual revenue [8] - Nike benefits from massive scale, partnerships with top athletes, and spends close to 10% of its revenue ($4 billion annually) on demand creation [10] Hershey - Hershey's stock is down 39% from its previous peak due to historically high cocoa prices and a challenging consumer environment [4] - The company reported $1.8 billion in net income on $10.8 billion in revenue over the last four quarters [3] - Hershey paid out 59% of its earnings in dividends over the last year, bringing its dividend yield to 3.29%, the highest level in over a decade [3] - The company owns several top chocolate and snack food brands, including Hershey's, Jolly Rancher, Reese's, Twizzlers, and Skinny Pop [4] - Hershey is expected to return to growth once cocoa prices decline, as higher commodity prices incentivize producers to boost supply, eventually driving prices down [5] - The company has paid a growing dividend since 1972, demonstrating resilience through periods of high cocoa prices and economic recessions [6] Market Context - The market indices hit new highs in 2024, but some top consumer brands saw their share prices tumble to new lows [7] - This presents an opportunity for income investors to buy quality dividend stocks offering their highest yields in years [7]

Company Overview - The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is a world-renowned chocolate maker known for iconic products like Hershey Kisses and Reese's [1] Performance Analysis - The company has struggled immensely over the past year [1] - The S&P 500 (SP500) saw gains during the same period, indicating Hershey underperformed relative to the broader market [1] Investment Context - The author has a beneficial long position in shares of VOO, which includes Hershey's stock through the S&P 500 index ETF [2] - The article expresses the author's personal opinions and is not compensated by any company mentioned [2]

Core Insights - Michele Buck, the Chairman, President, and CEO of The Hershey Company, will retire on June 30, 2026, after serving for 20 years, with a transition plan in place for her successor [1][3][4] - A special committee has been formed to search for the next CEO, considering both internal and external candidates [2][3] - Hershey reaffirms its full-year 2024 financial outlook and plans to provide its 2025 outlook during the earnings release in February [3][4] Company Overview - The Hershey Company is a leading snacks company with over 20,000 employees globally, generating more than $11.2 billion in annual revenues from over 90 brand names in approximately 80 countries [4][5] - The company is recognized for its commitment to ethical and sustainable operations, with a focus on helping children succeed through equitable access to education [5]

Investment Strategy - The strategy emphasizes capital preservation and steadily growing income through a dividend-focused value approach [1] - The portfolio consists of high-quality value stocks that offer meaningful growth and long-term safety [1] Portfolio Holdings - The portfolio includes stocks such as HSY, MDLZ, MO, and BTAFF, with beneficial long positions through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [2] - Potential initiation of a beneficial long position in Mondelēz International, Inc through stock purchase or sale of cash-secured put options within the next 72 hours [3]