The Hershey Company - HSY STOCK NEWS

The Hershey Company announces the launch of the Reese's Super King, a new candy product featuring a 12-inch ruler filled with six classic peanut butter cups. Set to be available in November 2021 at select stores nationwide, this product aims to enhance sharing opportunities for fans. Senior manager Allen Dark emphasizes the importance of giving customers more of their favorite treats. Hershey continues to focus on innovation, driven by its commitment to customer satisfaction and increasing market presence in the snacks industry.

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) announced quarterly dividends of $0.901 on Common Stock and $0.819 on Class B Common Stock, declared on October 27, 2021. These dividends are scheduled for payment on December 15, 2021, to stockholders of record as of November 19, 2021. This marks the 368th consecutive dividend for Common Stock and the 149th for Class B Common Stock, demonstrating the company's commitment to returning income to shareholders.

The Hershey Company (HSY) announced its Q3 2021 results, reporting net sales of $2,359.8 million, a 6.3% increase year-over-year. Adjusted EPS rose by 12.9% to $2.10. The company raised its full-year sales growth outlook to 8%-9% and EPS guidance to $6.88-$7.04, reflecting strong consumer demand and an improved tax outlook. However, gross margin decreased to 45.0% due to supply chain issues and higher costs. The effective tax rate fell to 14.7%, aided by capital loss utilization. Despite challenges, Hershey's strategic investments and acquisitions are expected to drive long-term growth.

The KIT KAT® brand has introduced a unique four-person Halloween costume, designed to enhance group costume experiences. This seven-foot tall costume, resembling a KIT KAT® bar, was recognized as the “Most Creative 4-Person Costume of 2021” by the Halloween & Costume Association. Created for fun and interaction, it encourages friends to wear it together and break it apart, embodying the brand's playful spirit. Consumers can participate in a contest to win this exclusive costume by tagging friends on their social media channels. The promotional campaign runs from October 25 to October 27, 2021.

The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) will release its third-quarter sales and earnings results on October 28, 2021. A conference call with analysts is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET on the same day. The company will also webcast the conference call live on its corporate website. For more details, visit the 'CALENDAR OF EVENTS' section on Hershey's investor relations page.

The Hershey Company announces an exciting Halloween season with the launch of Chocolate Meltdown: Hershey's After Dark, a new Food Network series premiering on September 27, 2021. This four-episode showcase features talented pastry chefs competing in Hersheypark for prizes, including a year’s supply of Hershey's candy and cash. Hershey, PA, is also hosting unique experiences inspired by the show, including special treats and themed attractions. Consumers can enjoy limited-time offerings at Hershey's Chocolate World and participate in Halloween activities until October 31.

The Hershey Company supported the Crookston, Minn. community by providing chocolate for a S'mores event during their revived "Ox Cart Days" festival, canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Spearheaded by local high school students, the project included building fire tables to foster community connections. The festival, a 30-year tradition, featured three fire tables and 40,000 Hershey's chocolate bars. Local sponsors, businesses, and the fire department contributed to the event's success, highlighting Hershey's commitment to community support and collaboration.

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) announced a quarterly dividend increase of approximately 12%, with the Common Stock dividend rising to $0.901 per share and the Class B Common Stock dividend to $0.819 per share. These dividends were declared on July 23, 2021, and are payable on September 15, 2021, to shareholders of record as of August 20, 2021. This marks the 367th consecutive dividend for Common Stock and the 148th for Class B Common Stock.

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) reported second-quarter 2021 net sales of $1,989.4 million, a 16.5% increase year-over-year. Adjusted earnings per share rose to $1.47, up 12.2%. The full-year net sales growth outlook is now between 6% and 8%, raised from 4% to 6%, largely due to strong recovery in away-from-home consumption. However, the anticipated EPS range has decreased slightly to $6.59 to $6.85 due to costs associated with the acquisition of Lily's Sweets. Gross margins remain strong, although increased supply chain costs and tax reserves may impact profitability.