Money Talks columnist Darnell Mayberry's go-to Halloween candy is more than just a tasty chocolate bar -- it's an investment. Our conversation centered on candy, because of course it did. How else was I going to keep my then 8-year-old daughter’s interest in investing?, and I’d get to work. I’d point to Hershey’s Kisses or the chocolate maker’s classic candy bars and proudly inform Parker that we own the company.
Little did I know that within a month, Parker would begin walking the candy aisle like she was Hershey’s CEO Michele Buck, loudly proclaiming for anyone within an earshot to hear, ‘Daddy, we own Hershey’s.’. It offered one of those attractive and stable yields that I couldn’t resist at the outset of my investing journey.Halloween also ensures a spike in candy sales at the same time each year. It made too much sense to not jump on one of the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers.
It’s one of a half-dozen individual stocks I intend to retain after trimming my portfolio. For better or worse, Hershey’s will help to build my buy-and-hold endurance. I can see myself holding the stock for the next 15 to 20 years.We’ve grown our Hershey’s position to 14.5 shares. The current value is a little more than $2,600. It was one of my best performing stocks through spring of 2023, when it hit all-time-high levels.
My goal is to acquire as many shares of Hershey’s as I can at a fair price. When it spikes, I’m content sitting back and collecting dividends until the next buying opportunity arrives.