Where Will Hershey Stock Be in 5 Years?

Core Viewpoint - The Hershey Company has faced volatility in its stock performance, currently down over 25% from its record high in early 2023, but there are reasons for a bullish long-term outlook despite recent disappointing results [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Hershey is a globally recognized leader in chocolate with a history of over 125 years, also owning iconic brands like Reese's, KitKat, Jolly Rancher, and Twizzlers [2]. - The company has expanded into salty snacks with products like SkinnyPop Popcorn and Dot's Pretzels, which are important growth drivers [2]. Group 2: Recent Performance - In Q2 2024, Hershey experienced a 16.7% drop in sales and a 38% decline in earnings per share (EPS) to $1.27 compared to Q2 2023 [3]. - The decline was largely attributed to the implementation of a new enterprise software system and planned inventory adjustments, while the North American salty snacks group saw a 9$9.59 in 2023 [4]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The company has various strategies to adapt to market changes, including resource allocation and pricing management, with optimism for international market expansion [5]. - Hershey has a strong history of dividend growth, having increased its quarterly dividend rate every year since 1988, with a recent 15% increase to $1.37 per share, yielding 2.7$300 by 2029, representing approximately 50% upside from current levels [7][8].