We recently compiled a list of the 7 Most Profitable Food Stocks To Invest In. In this article, we are going to take a look at where The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) stands against the other food stocks.

Exploring the Food Industry: Key Insights and Consumer Trends

The food industry plays a crucial role in the global economy, impacting everything from agriculture to retail. As the world population grows, food demand is increasing and driving changes in consumption patterns.

According to The Business Research Company, the global food and beverages market was valued at $6.57 trillion in 2023. Looking forward, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% during 2024-2028 to reach $8.81 trillion by ​the end of the forecast period. In 2023, Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the food and beverages market.

The rise of technology in food production is transforming how companies operate. Innovations like AI and robotics are streamlining supply chains and improving efficiency. Recent trends also highlight a shift towards healthier and functional foods that support overall well-being. For instance, many consumers are now looking for products that not only satisfy hunger but also promote health benefits, such as weight management and heart health.

In July 2024, Matter Communications shared insights from its 2024 Food & Beverage Trends survey, which surveyed over 1,000 US consumers about their food and beverage preferences. The findings highlight the significant influence of social media on consumer behavior, with 85% of respondents indicating they have either researched or purchased a product after seeing it posted by friends, family, or influencers. Additionally, 75% of those surveyed expressed a willingness to try viral food or beverage trends after seeing it on social media.

Consumers today are increasingly prioritizing healthier food options. According to the survey results, a significant majority, about 94%, believe that having access to healthier choices is essential when buying food and beverages. Among the nutritional features that shoppers value most, low sugar content ranks highest, followed closely by high protein and low carbohydrate options. This shift reflects a growing awareness of health and nutrition among consumers.

Additionally, the survey results show that many shoppers still prefer to purchase food in physical stores rather than online, with 56% indicating that they are more likely to buy in-store. Price also plays a crucial role in their decisions; 45% of consumers consider an affordable price to be the most important factor when selecting food and beverage products. As inflation continues to affect budgets, consumers are looking for options that provide both value and satisfaction without compromising their health goals.

As the market continues to evolve, understanding these trends will be essential for food companies aiming to remain competitive and relevant in a rapidly changing landscape.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 7 most profitable food stocks to invest in, we used the Finviz and Yahoo stock screeners to find the largest food companies. We also reviewed our own rankings and consulted various online resources.

Next, we focused on profitability. From this initial list of more than 20 food stocks, we narrowed our choices to stocks that had positive trailing twelve-month (TTM) net income and stocks that have grown their net income positively over the past 5 years.

To ensure the reliability of our findings, we consulted reputable sources such as SeekingAlpha, which provided insights into the net income CAGR over the past five years, and YCharts, which offered information on TTM net income.

Finally, from this list of the most profitable stocks that met our criteria, we focused on the top 7 food stocks most favored by institutional investors. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkey’s Q3 database of 900 elite hedge funds. The 7 most profitable food stocks to invest in are ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them as of Q3 2024.

Why do we care about what hedge funds do? 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).

The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY)

TTM Net Income: $1.77 Billion

5-Year Net Income CAGR: 6.75%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33

The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) is an American multinational snacks company that is primarily known for its chocolate products. The company has over 90 brand names in around 80 countries. These include Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty, and Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels.

In the third quarter of 2024, The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) reported net sales of $2.98 billion, reflecting a slight decline of 1.4% compared to the same quarter in the previous year. Despite facing challenges such as high cocoa prices and a tough consumer market, the company remains focused on driving growth through strategic initiatives. The Hershey Company’s (NYSE:HSY) plans include expanding chocolate offerings, enhancing the sweets category, and maximizing seasonal sales opportunities.

The company is focusing on continuing to expand its Sweets portfolio with exciting new products like Shaq-a-licious Gummies and Jolly Rancher Ropes. These additions aim to boost growth in the sweets category through 2025 and beyond. On November 8, 2024, The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) announced its acquisition of Sour Strips, a rapidly growing sour candy brand known for its vibrant flavors and strong social media presence. This acquisition will enhance Hershey’s offerings in the sweets category and help the company reach new consumers looking for exciting snacking options.

Additionally, the company is investing in international markets. For instance, in Mexico, the company is enhancing the presence of its popular brands such as Hershey’s and Kisses. By optimizing its market strategies, The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) seeks to engage more consumers in key regions like India and Latin America.

With a strong emphasis on innovation and targeted investments, The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) is well-positioned to adapt to changing consumer preferences and maintain its competitive edge in the snacks industry. HSY ranks among the most profitable food stocks to invest in. According to Insider Monkey’s Q3 database of 900 hedge funds, 33 hedge funds held stakes in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY).

Overall, HSY ranks 7th on our list of the most profitable food stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of HSY as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an 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.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.