The Hershey Company: Investing Now Is Like Getting A Toothbrush For Halloween

Upon selling his Lancaster Caramel Company to fund The Hershey Company (HSY), Milton Hershey was questioned why we would do so.  His reply

"Caramels are just a fad, but chocolate is a permanent thing."

That proved to be a very prescient statement from the found of The Hershey Company considering that it's now the largest domestic confectioner in the United States.  Hershey's brands include the namesake Hershey's, Symphony, Reese's, Almond Joy, Mounds, Whoppers, York Peppermint Patties and many others.

As recession worries have started increasing, consumer staples such as Hershey have seen their share prices and valuations expand.  This is great for existing owners, but makes the investment decision difficult for prospective investors.  It's been a year since I last examined Hershey, so it was time to check in on the business and update my valuation.

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