Hershey Co Stock Price, News & Analysis

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) has announced a public offering of notes. The net proceeds from this offering will be used to:

• Repay outstanding 0.900% Senior Notes due 2025
• Repay 3.200% Senior Notes due 2025
• Pay off certain outstanding short-term commercial paper borrowings
• Cover fees and expenses related to the offering
• Fund general corporate purposes

The company has filed a registration statement with the SEC for this Notes Offering. The offering will be made available through a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, obtainable through various financial institutions including BofA Securities, Citigroup Global Markets, J.P. Morgan Securities, RBC Capital Markets, and U.S. Bancorp Investments.

Hershey (NYSE: HSY) reaffirmed its 2025 financial outlook during its presentation at the 2025 Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) conference. The company expects total net sales growth of at least 2%, with the Sour Strips acquisition contributing approximately 30 basis points to growth, while foreign currency exchange rates are anticipated to be a 30 basis point headwind.

The company's earnings projections indicate a significant decline, with reported earnings per share expected to decrease in the high-40% range and adjusted earnings per share projected to decline in the mid-30% range. During the conference, executives reviewed growth strategies and progress in enhancing commercial capabilities and optimizing their operating model to deliver long-term shareholder value.

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) has announced its quarterly dividend declaration. The Board of Directors declared dividends of $1.370 per share on Common Stock and $1.245 per share on Class B Common Stock on February 5, 2025. These dividends will be paid on March 14, 2025, to stockholders of record as of February 17, 2025.

This marks Hershey's 380th consecutive regular dividend on Common Stock and 161st consecutive regular dividend on Class B Common Stock, demonstrating the company's long-standing commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Hershey (HSY) reported Q4 2024 results with consolidated net sales of $2,887.5 million, up 8.7% year-over-year. The company's organic constant currency net sales increased 9.0%. Q4 reported net income was $796.6 million, or $3.92 per share-diluted, up 130.6%.

For full-year 2024, consolidated net sales reached $11,202.3 million, a 0.3% increase, with reported net income of $2,221.2 million, or $10.92 per share-diluted, up 20.5%. Adjusted EPS declined 2.3% to $9.37.

Looking ahead to 2025, Hershey expects net sales growth of at least 2%, primarily driven by price realization. However, the company projects reported earnings per share to decline in the high-40% range and adjusted earnings per share to drop in the mid-30% range, mainly due to higher commodity costs, particularly cocoa prices, rebased incentive compensation, and a higher economic tax rate.

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) has announced its participation in the 2025 Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) conference in Orlando, FL. The presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET. Michele G. Buck, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Steven E. Voskuil, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will lead the presentation. The event will be accessible via live webcast through The Hershey Company's corporate website under the 'Calendar of Events' section.

Reese's, the #1 candy franchise in the US, is returning to the Big Game with a new 30-second advertisement promoting their Reese's Chocolate Lava Big Cup. The humorous ad, created by Erich & Kallman, features a park ranger reporting from an active volcano where enthusiastic fans attempt to taste actual lava, leading to a public service announcement: 'Don't eat lava. Eat Reese's Chocolate Lava.'

The campaign includes several promotional activities: a voice-activated volcano installation at New Orleans' Riverwalk Outlets offering free product samples, a partnership with the New Heights podcast featuring the Kelce brothers, and Barstool Sports live coverage from New Orleans. The Reese's Chocolate Lava Big Cup is currently available nationwide in standard and king sizes, with a new snack size option launching in March.

FULFIL Nutrition has launched new protein-focused products, including Protein Bites and an expanded bar lineup featuring Reese's Peanut Butter collaboration. The company introduced its BIGGEST Bar (55g) containing 20g of protein, 2g of sugar, and 3-4g net carbs, available in Chocolate Salted Caramel, Chocolate Peanut Caramel, and Chocolate Peanut Butter flavors.

The new Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar made with Reese's Peanut Butter comes in both 55g and 40g sizes, with the latter providing 15g of protein, 3g net carbs, and 1g sugar. The Protein Bites launch offers 7 bites per pouch with 16g protein, 3-4g sugar, and 4g net carbs, available in Chocolate Salted Caramel and Chocolate Peanut Caramel flavors.

Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby has partnered with FULFIL to promote these new products, which are now available on Amazon and retailers nationwide.

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) has announced two key leadership appointments effective February 3, 2025. Andrew Archambault has been named President of U.S. Confection, joining from Keurig Dr Pepper, while Veronica Villasenor, a 22-year Hershey veteran, has been appointed President of Salty Snacks.

Archambault will oversee iconic brands including Hershey's, Reese's and Jolly Rancher. He brings extensive experience from KDP, where he served as President of U.S. Refreshment Beverages. Villasenor, previously Vice President of Salty Snacks, succeeds Kristen Riggs, who is departing after 20 years. Both executives will join Hershey's Executive Committee to advance the company's snacking powerhouse vision.

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) announced that Michele Buck, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, will retire on June 30, 2026. Buck will maintain her current roles until a successor is appointed, after which she will transition to a senior advisor role until retirement. The Board has formed a special committee to search for the next CEO, considering both external and internal candidates.

Buck, who will complete 20 years with Hershey, has been credited with expanding the company into broader snacking categories, driving international growth, and building advanced capabilities. Under her leadership, Hershey developed one of the strongest snacking portfolios in the industry.

The company has reaffirmed its full-year 2024 financial outlook and will provide its 2025 outlook during its February earnings release.