According to Goldman Sachs, Hershey may be ready to earn strong profits in the future. The bank double-upgraded the Chocolate and Cocoa Products Company stock, bought from sale, and hiked its price target from $170 to $222. “After multiple guidance cuts over the past year, cost pressures (cocoa, tariffs, etc.) are largely known, and stocks have seen persuasive risk/reward setups reflected in the forecast, improving the expected progressive tail wing in two more hours. “In addition, the recent announcement of pricing is expected to drive revenue growth for the large FY26 with a solid consumer background supporting greater elasticity than expected. Jordan noted that some of Hershey’s market share losses have recovered over the past year, improving the seasonal sweets, mint category. She hopes for continued improvements in these areas with improved shelf space and a ‘step-up’ in marketing and innovation. Analysts also noted that it improves performance trends in convenience stores as a result of a data-driven strategy known as the “gold standard pradogram,” which could potentially benefit chocolate sales. “As the company rolls out these efforts in more C-stores, we see an even more tailwind (60% hiring, as YE expects from 50% today),” analysts said. “It suggests a constructive setup, combined with a simpler two-hour C-store wrap.” Unlike Jordan, most analysts are still on the sidelines with Hershey. Each LSEG has 17 out of 24 analysts covering holding ratings. After the double upgrade, pre-market stocks rose nearly 3% on Tuesday. The stock is positive annually, rising above 9%, but has not performed broader markets in that time frame. (Learn the best 2026 strategies from within NYSE with Josh Brown and others on CNBC Pro Live. Tickets and info here.)
