We recently published a list of 12 Best Depressed Stocks to Invest in Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) stands against other best depressed stocks to invest in now.
The US stocks ended 2024 with a healthy Q4, as the equity markets were primarily aided by solid economic growth, healthy earnings momentum, and the expectations of the rate cuts. Morningstar highlighted that the results of the US election supported the broader momentum in November. However, in December, the markets were shocked when the US Fed reduced projections for more cuts. Also, the quarter was difficult for bonds as yields continued to jump.
With Trump 2.0 and some positive expectations regarding risky assets, what lies ahead for investors in 2025?
What’s in Store for S&P 500 Index in 2025?
Ameriprise Financial believes that the US economic conditions are likely to remain stable, which can contribute to S&P 500 Index profits growing for 5th consecutive year. The normalized inflation, together with potentially lower interest rates, can support asset prices. The investment firm sees a favorable market backdrop in 2025. Notably, firm economic conditions, near-normal inflation, broadening of profit growth, healthy secular themes throughout technology, and growth-focused fiscal policies are expected to fuel the equity markets momentum, albeit with some volatility throughout the year.
Ameriprise Financial expects that S&P 500 profits will grow by between 10.0% – 15.0% as compared to 2024 levels, courtesy of continued strength in the broader technology space and companies/industries getting support from healthy economic activity and easier YoY comparisons. Furthermore, all 11 S&P 500 sectors are expected to see positive EPS growth in 2025. If sectors like IT and communication services see robust earnings trends in 2025 and other sectors also make a positive contribution, the US stocks are poised to see a strong performance in 2025.
READ ALSO: 7 Best Stocks to Buy For Long-Term and 8 Cheap Jim Cramer Stocks to Invest In.
Impact of New Presidential Administration on Markets
Certain potential changes to tax policy, regulation, trade policies, and immigration are expected to influence the equity markets in 2025. Ameriprise Financial further added that a lesser amount of regulation and the extension of expiring provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act might be slightly stimulative and positive for asset prices. Vanguard believes that growth momentum is expected to remain solid over the near term thanks to productivity gains and less restrictive monetary policy.
Further, the asset management giant expects the core Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, the US Fed’s preferred inflation gauge which excludes volatile food and energy prices, to decline to 2.5% by the 2025 end.
Our Methodology
To list the 12 Best Depressed Stocks to Invest in Now, we used a screener to filter out the stocks that are trading close to their respective 52-week lows. Next, we chose the ones that were popular among hedge funds. Finally, the stocks were arranged in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiments, as of Q3 2024.
At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A close-up of hands deftly moulding a bar of chocolate.
The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)
52-week Low: $148.7
Price as of 24 January: $150.71
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33
The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) is engaged in the manufacturing and selling of confectionery products and pantry items. The company’s stock has been impacted by higher commodity costs and a shift in consumer behavior. There has been some softness in total snacking consumption in Q3 2024, with people prioritizing value and budgeting for meals. Amidst uncertainties, The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)’s progress in expanding into salty snacks, through the acquisition of brands such as SkinnyPop popcorn and Dot’s Pretzels, can act as growth catalysts.
Moving forward, the company’s strategic initiatives such as pricing strategies, product innovation, and cost-saving measures are expected to provide some relief. The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)’s focus on diversifying its product portfolio and expanding into healthier snack options might align with changing consumer preferences. The company’s competitive advantages including strong pricing power and disciplined capital allocation are expected to help it navigate challenges.
While The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)’s current portfolio remains focused on traditional confectionery products, it has opportunities to expand into healthier snack options. Through leveraging strong brand recognition and distribution networks, it can develop and market new products focused on healthier eating. Therefore, successful expansion into this ever-growing market segment can offset negative momentum in traditional chocolate sales.
Overall, HSY ranks 9th on our list of best depressed stocks to invest in now. While we acknowledge the potential of HSY as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued AI stock that is more promising than HSY but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
