The Hershey Company (HSY) Price Target Analysis
Wall Street analyst price targets, ratings consensus & upside potential · Updated May 1, 2026
Current Price
$186.41
Price Target
$226.29
Target Range
$181.00 — $267.00
Analyst Rating
Hold
Forward P/E22.2x
Trailing P/E43.0x
Forward PEG—
Implied Growth+57.0%
Median Target$231.50
Analyst Spread38.0%
Price Forecast (1 Year)
Last 12 months price action with 12-month analyst target path
Bear Case
$181
-2.9%
Consensus
$226
+21.4%
Bull Case
$267
+43.2%
Valuation Model TargetsConfidence: 67/100
Bear$198
Base$350
Bull$567
HSY Price Target Analysis
Updated May 6, 2026As of May 6, 2026, The Hershey Company (HSY) has a Wall Street consensus price target of $226.29, based on estimates from 35 covering analysts. With the stock currently trading at $186.41, this represents a potential upside of +21.4%. The company has a market capitalization of $37.78B.
Analyst price targets range from a low of $181.00 to a high of $267.00, representing a 38% spread in expectations. The median target of $231.50 aligns closely with the consensus average.
The current analyst consensus rating is Hold, with 6 analysts rating the stock as a Buy or Strong Buy,26 rating it Hold, and 3 rating it Sell or Strong Sell. The bearish sentiment suggests caution about the stock at current levels.
From a valuation perspective, HSY trades at a trailing P/E of 43.0x and forward P/E of 22.2x. Analysts expect EPS to grow +57.0% over the next year.
Our proprietary valuation model, which blends historical multiples with forward estimates, suggests a base-case price target of $349.60, with bear and bull scenarios of $198.04 and $566.66 respectively. Model confidence stands at 67/100, reflecting moderate uncertainty in projections.
Investment Context: Price targets represent analyst expectations for the next 12 months and should be considered alongside your own research. Targets are based on analysts' assumptions about earnings growth, margins, and market conditions which may change. For sector-specific context, view other Consumer Defensive stocks.
Analyst Sentiment Comparison
Industry Peer AnalysisAvg Peer Upside+15.3%
Avg Forward P/E15.3x
Peers with Coverage8 / 10
| Company | Market Cap | Price | Target | Upside | Rating | Fwd P/E | Analysts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 MDLZMondelez International, Inc. | $79.4B | $61.87 | $67.00 | +8.3% | Buy | 20.2x | 41 |
 TRTootsie Roll Industries, Inc. | $3.1B | $41.84 | — | — | — | 22.3x | — |
 RMCFRocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. | $21M | $2.66 | — | — | — | — | — |
 MKCMcCormick & Company, Incorporated | $12.3B | $48.49 | $73.20 | +51.0% | Hold | 15.7x | 30 |
 GISGeneral Mills, Inc. | $18.7B | $35.07 | $46.58 | +32.8% | Hold | 10.2x | 34 |
 CPBCampbell Soup Company | $6.2B | $20.96 | $25.83 | +23.2% | Hold | 9.6x | 29 |
 SJMThe J. M. Smucker Company | $10.3B | $96.83 | $113.38 | +17.1% | Hold | 10.7x | 29 |
 KKellanova | $29.0B | $83.44 | $74.03 | -11.3% | Hold | 22.1x | 34 |
 CAGConagra Brands, Inc. | $6.7B | $14.07 | $17.55 | +24.7% | Hold | 8.3x | 25 |
 ADMArcher-Daniels-Midland Company | $37.6B | $78.02 | $60.00 | -23.1% | Hold | 18.7x | 36 |
Upside Potential Comparison
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Start ComparisonHSY — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying HSY stock.
What is the HSY stock price target for 2026?
The consensus Wall Street price target for HSY is $226.29, representing 21.4% upside from the current price of $186.41. With 35 analysts covering the stock, this strong upside suggests significant value not yet reflected in today's share price.
Is HSY a buy, sell, or hold?
HSY has a consensus rating of "Hold" based on 35 Wall Street analysts. The rating breakdown is mixed, with 26 Hold ratings making up the largest segment. The consensus 12-month price target of $226.29 implies 21.4% upside from current levels.
Is HSY stock overvalued or undervalued?
HSY trades at a forward P/E of 22.17x, representing a moderate valuation. With analysts targeting $226.29 (21.4% implied move), the stock appears reasonably valued with upside.
How high can HSY stock go?
The most bullish Wall Street analyst has a price target of $267 for HSY, while the most conservative target is $181. The consensus of $226.29 represents the median expectation. Our quantitative valuation model projects a bull case target of $567 based on optimistic growth and margin assumptions. These targets typically reflect 12-month expectations.
How many analysts cover HSY stock?
HSY is heavily covered by Wall Street, with 35 analysts providing price targets and ratings. Of these, 0 have Strong Buy ratings, 6 have Buy ratings, 26 recommend Hold, and 3 have Sell or Strong Sell ratings. Higher analyst coverage generally indicates greater institutional interest and more reliable consensus estimates.
What is the HSY stock forecast?
The 12-month HSY stock forecast based on 35 Wall Street analysts shows a consensus price target of $226.29, with estimates ranging from $181 (bear case) to $267 (bull case). The median consensus rating is "Hold". Our proprietary valuation model produces a base case fair value of $350, with bear/bull scenarios of $198/$567.
What is HSY's fair value based on fundamentals?
Our quantitative valuation model calculates HSY's fair value at $350 (base case), with a bear case of $198 and bull case of $567. The model uses discounted cash flow analysis, historical growth rates, and margin mean-reversion to project FY+2 earnings, then applies an appropriate P/E multiple. The model confidence score is 67/100.
What is HSY's forward P/E ratio?
HSY trades at a forward P/E ratio of 22.2x based on next-twelve-months earnings estimates compared to a trailing P/E of 43.0x. The lower forward P/E indicates analysts expect earnings growth. A forward P/E is useful for comparing valuations when earnings are expected to change significantly.
Should I buy HSY stock?
Wall Street analysts are very optimistic on HSY, with a "Hold" consensus rating and $226.29 price target (21.4% upside). 6 of 35 analysts rate it Buy or Strong Buy. This information is for educational purposes only. Always conduct your own research, consider your financial situation, and consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Why do HSY price targets vary so much?
HSY analyst price targets range from $181 to $267, a 38% moderate spread showing some variance in outlooks. Differences stem from varying assumptions about revenue growth, profit margins, competitive dynamics, and valuation multiples. The $226.29 consensus represents the middle ground. Our model's $198-$567 range provides an independent fundamental perspective.