Does Hershey Stock Pay Dividends?

Yes — The Hershey Company (HSY) pays regular quarterly cash dividends. This article explains how the dividend works, recent amounts, timeline, safety metrics, tax treatment, and considerations for ...

2026-01-22 12:22:00

By ChainLuminary Veritas

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Does Hershey Stock Pay Dividends?

Yes — The Hershey Company (ticker: HSY) pays regular cash dividends on its common stock, distributed quarterly on a schedule set by the company. This article answers the core question "does hershey stock pay dividends" and then walks through quick facts, dividend policy, recent payouts, timeline mechanics, historical growth, safety metrics, tax notes, practical receiving instructions, and investor considerations. If you want concise facts first, see the Short summary and Quick facts below; if you want deeper context, continue through each section.

Short summary: Yes — The Hershey Company (HSY) pays regular cash dividends on its common stock, distributed quarterly on a schedule set by the company.

Quick facts

Ticker and exchange: HSY (NYSE)
Typical payment frequency: Quarterly cash dividend
Most recent quarterly dividend (recent reporting): approximately $1.37 per share per quarter (reported in 2024–2025 data sets)
Approximate annualized dividend: $5.48 per share based on a $1.37 quarterly payout
Recent yield (approximate): depends on share price; typical range in recent years ~2.5%–3.5% (varies with market price)
Recent payout ratio (approximate range): mid‑60% to high‑70% in recent reporting periods (see company filings and dividend-data aggregators for exact quarterly figures)

Note: for exact, up-to-date per-share amounts, ex‑dividend dates and yield, consult The Hershey Company investor relations or current market data. As required for transparency: 截至 2026-01-22，据 The Hershey Company — Investor Relations 报道，Hershey continued to maintain quarterly cash distributions and provided historical dividend tables for verification.

Dividend policy and practice

Hershey’s board of directors determines dividend payments and may change the amount, timing, or form of distributions. The company has historically paid a regular quarterly dividend on common stock and has publicly maintained a practice of periodic increases in the payout when management and the board judge cash flow and capital allocation priorities to support an increase.

Key features of Hershey’s dividend practice:

Frequency: Quarterly cash dividends on common stock.
Decision authority: The board declares each dividend; management recommends amounts based on operating results, cash flow, capital needs, and strategy.
Announcement cadence: A typical cadence includes a declaration date (announcement), an ex‑dividend date, a record date, and a pay date. The board commonly announces dividends alongside quarterly results or via separate press releases.
Public guidance: Hershey does not guarantee a fixed dividend growth rate, but historically management has emphasized returning capital to shareholders via dividends and share repurchases when conditions permit.

What this means for investors: dividends are not automatic or guaranteed; they depend on board approval at each declaration. Historical consistency is a positive sign, but investors should review recent filings for the board’s current stance.

Typical dividend timeline (declaration → ex‑dividend → pay date)

Understanding the timeline helps investors know who receives a declared dividend. Below are definitions and how each date affects eligibility:

Declaration date: The date the board officially announces the dividend amount and sets the ex‑dividend, record, and pay dates. Investors learn the precise payout amount on this date.
Ex‑dividend date: The most important date for investors who buy shares. If you purchase a share on or after the ex‑dividend date, the seller—not you—receives the next dividend. To receive the dividend, you must own the stock before the ex‑dividend date (i.e., buy the day before the ex‑dividend date at the latest).
Record date: The company’s official list-cut date; shareholders of record on this date are entitled to receive the dividend. Because of standard settlement rules, the record date normally falls one business day after the ex‑dividend date for U.S. equities.
Pay date: The date the company sends the payment to shareholders of record. That’s when dividend cash appears in brokerage accounts or is mailed as a check for eligible accounts.

Practical tip: For U.S. stocks like HSY, brokerage settlement (T+2 historically, though check current rules) affects when you need to buy to be recorded as a shareholder. Confirm the exact ex‑dividend and record dates in company announcements each quarter.

Recent dividend amounts and schedule (historical recent quarters)

Recent reporting around 2024–2025 showed quarterly Hershey payouts near $1.37 per share. Using a $1.37 per quarter payment as an example:

Quarterly payout: $1.37 per share (example recent quarter)
Annualized dividend: 4 × $1.37 = $5.48 per share
Example ex‑dividend/payment pattern: declaration in early quarter results release, ex‑dividend date set several weeks later, followed by pay date roughly 2–6 weeks after declaration (actual dates vary by quarter)

Example (illustrative — confirm exact dates via company press release):

Declaration date: mid‑February
Ex‑dividend date: early March
Record date: the business day after ex‑dividend
Pay date: late March

For historical accuracy and exact per‑quarter figures, consult The Hershey Company — Dividend & Stock Split History and recent press releases; those pages list prior quarter amounts, declaration/ex‑dividend/pay dates and confirm the exact per‑share payments. 截至 2026-01-22，据 The Hershey Company — Dividend & Stock Split History 报道，official tables list recent per‑quarter amounts and dates for investor verification.

Historical dividend record and growth

Hershey has a long-standing record of paying dividends to shareholders. Over multiple decades, the company has generally increased its quarterly dividend periodically rather than holding it flat for long stretches. That pattern reflects steady cash flow from branded confectionery and snacking businesses and a capital allocation policy that includes dividends and repurchases when appropriate.

Highlights of the historical record:

Consistent quarterly cash dividends over many years.
Periodic dividend increases when earnings and cash generation permit.
The company maintains public records of dividend history and stock-split history for verification.

Hershey’s status as a consumer‑staples company with recognized brands often contributes to a stable cash‑flow profile, enabling a reliable dividend history, though payout levels do change over time with operating performance and strategic choices.

Long-term trend and increase streak

Hershey has raised its dividend in multiple years over the past several decades. The company has recorded periods of steady dividend increases rather than extremely aggressive growth. For precise counts of consecutive years with increases and the timeline of raises, consult the company’s investor relations dividend history or dividend-data aggregators. 截至 2026-01-22，据 The Hershey Company — Investor Relations 报道，official dividend history tables provide year-by-year increases and exact dates for verification.

Readers should note: the phrase "does hershey stock pay dividends" ties directly to this history — yes, and historically the company has combined consistency with occasional increases.

Dividend safety and financial metrics

Assessing dividend safety requires examining metrics that indicate whether the company’s cash flow and earnings can support continued payouts. Common metrics include payout ratio, free cash flow coverage, earnings stability, and shareholder yield.

Payout ratio (earnings basis): This is dividends divided by net income (or adjusted EPS). A moderate payout ratio suggests the company does not pay out all earnings, leaving room for reinvestment and cushions against declines. Hershey’s payout ratio has historically been in a range that reflects mid‑60s to high‑70s percent in some recent periods; annual fluctuations occur with earnings variability.
Free cash flow (FCF) coverage: Dividends funded from free cash flow are generally viewed as safer than dividends funded from accounting earnings. Investors often compare total dividends to free cash flow to assess sustainability.
Earnings stability: Consumer staples companies like Hershey often exhibit more stable earnings than cyclical sectors, supporting dividend reliability.
Shareholder yield: This metric combines dividends, share buybacks, and net debt reduction to reflect total capital returned to shareholders. Hershey has used buybacks in addition to dividends as part of its capital allocation.

How to interpret these metrics for Hershey:

A payout ratio in the mid‑60s to 70s indicates a meaningful portion of earnings is distributed; investors should monitor trends—if earnings drop materially, the payout ratio can spike and press dividend sustainability.
Strong free cash flow relative to dividends supports sustainability. Any decline in FCF should raise questions about the payout’s safety.
Hershey’s relatively stable consumer staples revenue helps, but rising costs, input inflation, or significant one‑time charges can affect the payout picture.

Important: these metrics evolve each quarter. For up‑to‑date measures, consult the company’s latest 10‑Q/10‑K and cash‑flow statements along with dividend-data services. The article avoids specific investment advice and focuses on metrics investors commonly use to evaluate dividend safety.

Tax treatment of Hershey dividends

Tax treatment depends on the investor’s jurisdiction. Below are general notes for U.S. and non‑U.S. investors; consult a tax professional for personal advice.

U.S. federal tax: Dividends paid by U.S. corporations may be classified as "qualified dividends" if they meet holding‑period and other IRS conditions; qualified dividends are taxed at the lower long‑term capital gains rates. Non‑qualified dividends are taxed at ordinary income rates.
Holding period rule: To qualify for the lower rate, shareholders typically must hold the stock for more than 60 days during the 121‑day period that begins 60 days before the ex‑dividend date (rules differ for certain preferred stock and other instruments).
State and local taxes: Dividends may also be subject to state and local income taxes depending on where you live.
Non‑U.S. investors: Many countries impose withholding taxes on U.S. dividends for foreign investors, and tax treaty terms can alter rates. Non‑U.S. investors should check withholding rules with brokers and consult tax advisors.

As always: consult a tax professional for exact implications of Hershey dividends in your situation.

How investors receive Hershey dividends

Practical steps and mechanics:

Ownership timing: You must own shares before the ex‑dividend date to receive the next dividend. If you buy on or after the ex‑dividend date, the seller receives the dividend.
Broker handling: Most retail brokerages automatically credit cash dividends to your account on the pay date. Some brokers offer enrollments in automatic dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) that reinvest dividends into additional shares or fractional shares.
Direct registration: Shareholders on the company register receive direct mailings and payments if they hold shares in street‑name vs direct registration via a transfer agent.
Dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs): Confirm with your broker or the company’s transfer agent whether a DRIP is available and how to opt in.

If you use Bitget services: check your Bitget account settings for dividend handling and whether tokenized or fractional stock offerings include dividend pass‑through and DRIP options. Always confirm the platform’s terms for any non‑traditional stock product.

Considerations for income investors

Pros of owning HSY for dividend income:

Brand strength and stable product demand can support relatively steady cash flow.
A history of regular quarterly payments and periodic increases appeals to income investors seeking predictable cash yield.
Combination of dividends and buybacks can enhance shareholder yield.

Cons and risks:

Yield level: Hershey’s yield has typically been moderate, not very high; investors seeking high current yield might find better nominal yields elsewhere but with higher risk.
Payout ratio sensitivity: A higher payout ratio makes the dividend more sensitive to earnings declines.
Sector concentration: Heavy exposure to packaged foods and confectionery means company-specific product, input-cost, or competitive risks can affect dividend sustainability.

How dividends fit into total return:

Dividends contribute meaningfully to total return for long-term investors; reinvested dividends can compound returns over time.
Compare dividend yield plus historical growth to peers in consumer staples and packaged foods when evaluating HSY for an income sleeve of a portfolio.

Comparative points with peers:

Look at peers’ yields, payout ratios, and earnings stability in the packaged foods and beverages space.
Consider dividend growth history — some companies target faster increases while others prioritize share repurchases or M&A.

This section is informational, not investment advice. Use it as a checklist of items to research before making a buy decision.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Does HSY pay dividends? A: Yes. Hershey pays regular quarterly cash dividends on its common stock.

Q: How often does Hershey pay dividends? A: Quarterly.

Q: How much does Hershey pay per quarter? A: Recent reported quarterly payments have been around $1.37 per share (2024–2025 reporting). For exact current amounts, check the company’s latest press release or dividend history.

Q: Has Hershey regularly raised its dividend? A: Historically, Hershey has periodically increased its dividend. For a year‑by‑year increase streak and dates, consult the company’s dividend history table.

Q: How do I get the dividend? A: Own the shares before the ex‑dividend date. Your broker will typically credit the dividend on the pay date or reinvest it if you are enrolled in a DRIP.

Q: does hershey stock pay dividends? A: Yes — see above. This article details the cadence, recent amounts, timeline, and safety metrics.

References

The Hershey Company — Dividend & Stock Split History (Investor Relations)
The Hershey Company — Newsroom and Press Releases (Investor Relations)
Dividend-data aggregators and historical pages: Macrotrends, DividendMax, DividendHistory.org, Nasdaq dividend history pages

(Reporting note: 截至 2026-01-22，据 The Hershey Company — Investor Relations 报道，official dividend history tables and recent press releases provide the per‑quarter amounts, declaration/ex‑dividend/record/pay dates and the company’s commentary used to compile this article.)

Want to explore related market products and custody options? Check Bitget for available tokenized or fractional stock services and use Bitget Wallet for secure custody of Web3 assets. For dividend specifics and up‑to‑date HSY dates and amounts, always verify on Hershey’s investor relations pages.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not investment advice. Verify current dividend amounts, dates, yields, and company filings before making financial decisions.

The content above has been sourced from the internet and generated using AI. For high-quality content, please visit Bitget Academy.