How Much Will Hershey Pay Out in Dividends This Year?

Group 1 - Hershey is a well-established consumer-staples company known for its profitability and consistent dividend payments, but there are concerns about the sustainability of its yield hikes [1][2] - The current quarterly dividend is $1.37 per share, translating to an annualized amount of$5.48, contingent on the company maintaining this payout level [2] - Hershey reported a Q2 earnings-per-share (EPS) of $1.27, missing expectations of$1.44, with a significant year-over-year earnings decline of 36.8% attributed to reduced consumer discretionary spending [2][3] Group 2 - Hershey's forward annual dividend yield stands at 2.68%, which is higher than the consumer-defensive sector average of 2.13% [3] - The company's dividend payout ratio is 59%, calculated from $5.30 in dividends against$8.96 in earnings per share, which is slightly above the 50% threshold that may indicate caution [3] - The decline in earnings is a critical factor to monitor, suggesting that investors should be cautious about chasing yield with Hershey or similar stocks [3]