Hershey’s is trying to win over health-conscious consumers with a new protein powder — and figure out how to get people on weight-loss drugs snacking again.
The 132-year-old candy company is working to entice consumers who have soured on sweets with a protein powder coming out in January.
With shares recently hitting a 52-week low, Hershey’s CEO Kirk Tanner has reportedly been talking one-on-one with consumers about weight loss drugs and snacks.
A woman administers a GLP-1 subcutaneous injection into her stomach tissue for weight management, obesity, or diabetes care. Matt Fowler KC – stock.adobe.com “They still love the products they love,” he told Bloomberg in an article published Friday. “They’re just eating less of them.”
With nearly 30% of obese adults in the US expected to be on appetite-suppressing GLP-1 drugs by 2035, Tanner wants to know how the company can innovate.
He pointed to rival Mars as an example.
“Today’s consumer wants new products and Mars has been delivering,” Tanner told Bloomberg.
The biggest “Payday” for Hershey’s might come from its venture into protein powder.
It partnered with protein-powder company VitaKey on the project. Details remain scarce.
A mound of Hershey’s chocolate bars. Faina Gurevich – stock.adobe.com Since Tanner came to Hershey last year, he’s upped research and development spending by 25%, with the goal of pumping out “Good & Plenty” ideas, according to Bloomberg.
Hershey’s is also expanding its gum-and-mints division to accommodate consumers battling “Ozempic breath” – the bad-breath side effect of the pound-shedding drug. Bloomberg reported gum sales at the company went up 8% earlier this year.
Hershey’s – which makes Skinny Pop, Dots Pretzels, and Pirate’s Booty – is looking to increase its savory offerings and is working on portion-controlled packaging.
The protein snack bar market has been bursting at the wrapper — it’s expected to go from $21.94 billion to $32.66 billion by 2031, an 8.2% growth rate. Rxbar, the company behind the popular golden ticket-wrapped David bars, hit a $2.25 billion valuation this year, in the biggest deal of the year in the industry, according to Forbes.
GLP-1s have posed challenges throughout the food business. Food giant Conagra has been scouring consumers’ credit-card data, social media posts and fast food orders to try to figure out what people still want to eat, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Mondelez has surged more than 23% this year while Hershey barely moved, yet one metric that income investors care about most flips the story completely in Hershey's favor.
Which one belongs in a retirement portfolio right now: Hershey (NYSE:HSY | HSY Price Prediction) or Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ)? Both companies spent 2025 absorbing a cocoa cost spike that peaked that year. Both have beaten EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters, and both yield more than 3%. Investors have clearly preferred one of them in 2026. Mondelez is up 23.46% year to date, while Hershey is down 1.89%. For income investors, that gap determines the starting yield each stock offers.
Yield and Payout Coverage: Hershey Pays More From Firmer Footing Hershey’s annualized forward dividend of $5.808 works out to a yield of about 3.33% at a share price of $174.63. Mondelez’s $2.08 yields about 3.21% at $64.74.
Hershey also covers its dividend better. Its payout comes to roughly 69% of the midpoint of its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $8.36 to $8.52. Mondelez pays out about 71% of its FY2025 EPS of $2.92. Cash flow coverage is also stronger.
In 2025, Hershey produced $2.28 billion of operating cash flow and spent $528 million on capex. That left about $1.75 billion, which covered the $1.09 billion it paid in dividends roughly 1.6 times. Winner: Hershey.
Dividend Record and Debt: Mondelez Has the Steadier Hand Mondelez has raised its quarterly dividend every year since 2013, taking it from $0.13 to $0.52. The latest step was a 4% increase announced in July. Over the past decade, its payout has compounded at about 11.8% a year. Hershey managed about 9.6% over the same period. It also paid $1.37 every quarter through 2024 and 2025 before a roughly 6% raise to $1.452 this year.
Mondelez also has less debt relative to its size. At June 30, it had $22.06 billion of total debt against $26.64 billion of equity, a ratio of about 0.83. Hershey had $5.61 billion of debt against $4.56 billion of equity, or about 1.23. Winner: Mondelez.
Pricing Power Against Cocoa: Hershey’s Margin Rebound Is Far Larger Cocoa hit Mondelez hard. Its FY2025 adjusted gross margin fell 580bps. The recovery so far has been slow. In Q2, adjusted gross margin rose 20bps to 34.0%, but adjusted operating margin fell 120bps to 13.1%. Management expects 2026 adjusted EPS growth of flat to +5% in constant currency.
Hershey raised prices harder, with roughly 12 points of net price realization, and the margins followed. In Q2, adjusted gross margin rose 350bps to 41.6% and adjusted operating margin rose 450bps to 20.2%. Adjusted EPS of $1.90 came in well ahead of the $1.43 estimate. Kirk Tanner, Hershey’s chief executive, said Hershey “delivered a strong first half, with reported net sales up 8.7%, organic net sales up 5.8% and meaningful earnings recovery.” Higher prices came at a cost: volume fell about 8 points. Even so, guidance calls for adjusted EPS growth of 32.5% to 35%. At the guidance midpoint, the stock trades at about 21x earnings. Mondelez trades at about 21x even if it hits the top of its range. Winner: Hershey.
Verdict: Hershey Is the Retirement Pick Hershey takes two of the three categories, and they are the two that matter most to retirees: how much the dividend pays today and how well cash flow covers it. It yields more, covers its payout with cash flow to spare, and offers earnings growth of more than 30% for about the same multiple Mondelez gets for growth of up to 5%. Hershey’s share price has trailed its recovering fundamentals in 2026, which lifts its starting yield. For retirees considering names with multi-decade raise streaks like these, we ranked ten of our favorite long-haul dividend payers by valuation in a free Dividend Kings report.
Mondelez is the better fit for younger savers who are still building wealth. They get a continuous record of annual raises, a lighter balance sheet, and global reach. In exchange, they take on currency risk in Argentina, Türkiye, Egypt, and Nigeria and slower margin repair. For a retirement account that needs reliable income now, Hershey’s yield and coverage numbers line up better.
There are two things to watch next. The first is whether Hershey’s volumes stabilize in its next earnings report. The second is its February dividend declaration: the company declared its last raise on February 4, 2026.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
In the latest trading session, Hershey (HSY - Free Report) closed at $167.00, marking a -2.24% move from the previous day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.41% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.07%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 1.11%.
The chocolate bar and candy maker's stock has climbed by 0.61% in the past month, falling short of the Consumer Staples sector's gain of 3.59% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.46%.
The upcoming earnings release of Hershey will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is expected on October 29, 2026. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $2.12, indicating a 63.08% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $3.25 billion, indicating a 2.29% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $8.47 per share and a revenue of $12.28 billion, indicating changes of +34.23% and +5.01%, respectively, from the former year.
Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Hershey. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.17% lower within the past month. As of now, Hershey holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
With respect to valuation, Hershey is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 20.16. This signifies a premium in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 19.28 for its industry.
It is also worth noting that HSY currently has a PEG ratio of 1.43. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Food - Confectionery industry held an average PEG ratio of 1.35.
The Food - Confectionery industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 216, putting it in the bottom 13% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow HSY in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
Grocery store stocks have had a choppy year. Tariff pressure, shoppers trading down to store brands, and years of underinvestment at some companies have pushed several big consumer goods names down double digits in 2026, even as the broader market sits near records.
A falling stock isn't always a cheap business; sometimes it's cheap because it deserves to be. A few of these names are paying you a real dividend to find out which kind of cheap this is, and patient investors who can hold through some uncomfortable years could come out ahead.
Here are five consumer-facing stocks trading near 52-week lows, each dealing with its own version of the slump, and why I think the dividend makes the wait worth it.
Image source: Getty Images.
1. PepsiCo: An activist is forcing the change it needed anyway PepsiCo (PEP +2.42%) trades around $129, near its 52-week low of $123.47 and down sharply from a high above $171. The dividend yields roughly 4.6% and has been raised for 54 straight years, making it a Dividend King, a company that has grown its dividend payment annually for at least 50 consecutive years.
What changed this year: Elliott Management took a $4 billion stake and pushed PepsiCo into a formal agreement to cut its U.S. product lineup by roughly 20%, lower prices on core brands, and overhaul its North American supply chain. I see this less as weakness and more as outside pressure forcing moves management should have made years ago. If these cuts pay off, the next five years should see some juicy solid reversal in the stock price.
PEP PepsiCo$131.49+$3.11 (+2.42%)
NASDAQ · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/16/26
2. Hershey: Cocoa is back! Hershey (HSY +1.27%) stock sits around $169, off its 52-week low of $156, yielding about 3.6%. Cocoa prices have fallen from last year's peak, and Hershey is using the relief to bring Reese's and Hershey's bars back to their original recipes after trimming cocoa content during the spike, per News Nation. Management guides to 30%-35% adjusted earnings growth this year, among the boldest forecasts in food, per the Wall Street Journal. If earnings can turn around with cocoa prices being more manageable, this stock is a solid dividend buy.
3. General Mills: A 127-year streak with no cuts General Mills' (GIS +0.76%) share price has fallen around 30% in 2026 and sits near its 52-week low of $31.18, pushing the yield above 7.5%. The company and its predecessor have paid an uninterrupted dividend for 127 years, since 1898, and have never cut it, even though there have been multi-year stretches without a raise. Volume has been soft as shoppers trade down, but management says fiscal 2027 shifts focus to real product innovation, think protein and fiber additions, rather than just defending price.
Here's why I'd personally still buy and hold it five years out: a company that didn't cut its dividend through the Great Depression, two world wars, and every recession probably isn't going to blink because people are buying more store-brand cereal right now.
GIS General Mills$33.13+$0.25 (+0.76%)
NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/16/26
4. Clorox: A Dividend King with a cash flow problem worth watching Clorox (CLX +1.03%) trades around $86, well off its 52-week high of $128.90, yielding close to 6%. Clorox is about to raise its dividend for a 50th straight year, officially qualifying as a Dividend King. The honest risk: Clorox paid out $452 million in dividends over the nine months ended March 31, but only generated $161 million in free cash flow in that same stretch, per its own cash flow statement. Some of that gap is a one-time hit, roughly $476 million went toward buying out Procter & Gamble's remaining stake in their Glad joint venture, per S&P Global, and it is not an ongoing cost. Still, I'd want to see that cushion rebuild before assuming the streak protects you no matter what.
KHC Kraft Heinz$23.68+$0.40 (+1.72%)
NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/16/26
5. Kraft Heinz: A turnaround before the turnaround Kraft Heinz (KHC +1.72%) is the riskiest name here, yielding over 7%. The company announced a split into two companies in 2025, then paused it in February to redirect $700 million into brand reinvestment under new CEO Steve Cahillane, an admission its first plan wasn't the fix. I'd treat this as the smallest position here until sales trends turn. Although its dividend yield of around 7% is appealing, I would buy small here because of its high debt and history of dividend cuts.
The Decayed Brigade, a team of haunt sliders that appears at Hersheypark. Hersheypark Imagine you're walking around an amusement park in October while it's Halloween themed. The air is crisp, you've got a giant pretzel, you're strolling with friends to get in line for the roller coaster. Out of the corner of your eye, you see tall man dressed in all black with skeletal face paint walking towards you.
Suddenly, he leaps to the ground on all fours, and against everything you've known in your life about how human beings ambulate, he slides across the pavement on his hands and knees, coasting right up beside you at an incredible speed.
Depending on who you are and your level of awareness of the "haunt sliders" of Hersheypark, this fast encounter leaves you either terrified or terrifyingly horny.
Since 2021, Hershey's amusement park has employed a group of haunt sliders from a crew that calls itself the "Decayed Brigade" for its Dark Nights Halloween event that runs in September and October.
Videos of Fryboy and his lookalike Archer, and others have racked up millions of views and created a dedicated fan base who travel from around the world just to see the creepy, sexy, slidey guys they saw on TikTok.
Why Disney is more expensive than ever
And their online popularity is good for Hershey's bottom line.
"The comment section [on TikTok] is a treasure trove of insight into their popularity. I mean, we have seen people saying, 'I am coming from Europe. I'm coming from Australia. I had no idea Hersheypark existed, but now, because this was served to me on TikTok, I'm aware,'" said Quinn Bryner, a spokesperson for Hersheypark.
Archer, a haunt slider at Hersheypark Hersheypark "We have people who have bought our season passes because of it," she added. "So anecdotally, for sure, it has had a significant social commentary, which we think has also led to tickets."
Bryner cautioned they can't say that the haunt sliders popularity is the sole driver of the growth of the Halloween event, but that the Dark Nights has become a success and grown year over year in attendance and ticket sales. "We can confirm that the event's popularity in the past few years has allowed us to expand operating days throughout the fall, resulting in total Halloween attendance doubling the numbers achieved prior to 2021," she said.
For the last three years, Fryboy and some of the sliders do a meet-and-greet for the diehard fans after the performance on weekend nights. Fans wait up to an hour in line to meet them and take photos with the sliders (or purchase keychains or other photo prints from the professional photography service the park provides, which has taken over 4,000 photos for fans this fall so far).
The three sliders I interviewed — who asked not to publicize their full legal names because they are concerned about overzealous fans — have breached containment from something that happens inside the park gates to a full-blown social media phenomenon.
The sliders have anecdotally noticed the effects of TikTok on the crowds in the park. "This year especially, it feels like every other person's coming up saying they drove eight-plus hours to come see us or they just came for us," Fryboy said.
"We see them sit in our zone the whole night and it's pretty obvious that they just want to watch us," Valkyrie noticed.
Hersheypark is well aware of the Decayed Brigade's social media success, which is clear even on its own social channels. The most viewed videos on park's official TikTok channel were all of the sliders — even during the off-season.
Haunt sliding dates back decadesHaunt sliding has been a part of Knott's Scary Farm, the Halloween event at amusement park in southern California, for decades. A few of the performers working there figured out they could modify knee pads and gloves with metal pieces to allow them to slide up on guests as a novel way to scare them.
Sliding became a staple of Knott's Scary Farm, and the trend spread out around the country to various haunted theme parks and cornfields. It evolved into something more than just a scare tactic, with increasingly athletic stunts, choreography, and showcases during the off-season.
Although haunt sliding has become a haunted house mainstay, there is no group of performers who have attracted as much attention from people who never set foot in Hersheypark as the Decayed Brigade crew. This year, there are eight sliders, but Fryboy and Archer — both well over six feet tall, lanky, and with poufy dark hair — seem to have garnered the biggest online fandom.
When I spoke over a video call with Fryboy, Archer, and Valkerie, the current sole female performer in this year's crew, it was the hour before the park opened on a Friday night at 6 p.m., and they were in their full faces of makeup (they have a makeup artist on staff who does it for them), but not their performance clothes.
Fryboy, whose real first name is Carter, is not technically the leader or founder of Decayed Brigade, although he has become the most visible online and has been working at Hersheypark since Dark Nights started in 2021. He first saw sliders at Knott's Scary Farm when he was 13, and was inspired to start trying it out on his own at home. By 16, he got hired at a local haunted house in Florida, and eventually landed a job at Knott's in 2018.
"When sliding first started, it was mainly just a scare tactic and it wasn't really anything crazy, but once people started doing it more and more, a lot of the guys that started sliding at Knott's were stunt performers, so they would do little pre-shows before their stunt show was sliding," Fryboy explained. "They'd go out there and they'd do little rolls, and then they'd start jumping bodies, and then now they're jumping two, three, four bodies. So then tricks started getting added into it, and over time, a group was formed."
"I really think in this case, Carter took it upon himself to create his own iconic character in the social space and then share it amongst an audience that loves scare, but didn't have a way to maybe communicate and build on that," said Brewer Lister, managing director of immersive experiences at Hersheypark.
"He's built a following, and then he and his team have added to it by becoming more of a team in a group, especially Archer, the two of them," he added. "I think they tapped into a growth factor of what's taken place over the many years in social media in a particular realm, and it's worked."
Their fans are…thirsty
Fryboy, a haunt slider at Hersheypark Hersheypark It is crucial to explain here that the internet viral around the Hersheypark haunt sliders is not just an appreciation of a good scare. It is extremely horny. The TikToks from fans are often set to suggestive music clips, and the comment sections are bawdy.
In one video from last fall of Fryboy and Archer standing together, set to the chorus of "Same Damn Time" by Future, comments say things like "Fryboy looks like he talks you thru it. Archer looks like he know how to do that thing your ex couldn't do." (18.3k likes) and "the makeup stays ON" (160.8k likes). In another video from this month of the two men, one commenter says, "Ok maybe my ex was right and i'm actually ill."
The allure of scare actors in face paint might not seem obvious. But hear these women out: They're tall, athletic, and mysterious. That's enough.
The thirst isn't limited just to the male sliders. On one video of Valkyrie walking through the park in slow motion, comments from women pour in: "Me and my husband aren't that serious." "I DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS AN OPTION," and "i was already hooked but when she smiled i lost all control."
I asked Fryboy about getting that kind of attention.
"I think at the end of the day, we're just trying to perform and have a good time, and it's Halloween, we're dressing up as characters, so there's always going to be something along those lines, I think," he said. "But it's definitely not the end goal in any sort of way."
The sex appeal of the sliders seems to be an accidental collision with a current trend of "dark romance" and romantasy that's popular on Booktok. However, threading the needle of adding sex appeal into a haunted house seems fraught. SeaWorld Orlando's attempted a dark romance themed scare zone, but videos of bare-chested scare actors in masks (including at least one slider) awkwardly gesturing at guests went viral for being high on cringe and low on actual eroticism.
The difference with the Decayed Brigade is they claim they're not intending to be sexy.
"Halloween has always been the holiday for the weirdos, and we're the weirdos," said Fryboy. "We embrace it just as much as I'm sure everyone else wants to embrace it."
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Hershey raised its 2026 full-year guidance last quarter in anticipation of a strong second half. The stock has not fared as well, falling more than 12% in the past year.
First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. purchased a new position in shares of Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY – Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 3,768 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $594,000.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in Hershey during the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,303,889,000. GQG Partners LLC purchased a new position in Hershey in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $485,436,000. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in Hershey by 10.0% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,395,644 shares of the company’s stock worth $290,141,000 after purchasing an additional 127,113 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in Hershey by 1.7% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,210,466 shares of the company’s stock valued at $251,706,000 after purchasing an additional 19,772 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its position in Hershey by 315.4% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,083,675 shares of the company’s stock valued at $225,285,000 after purchasing an additional 822,772 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have recently issued reports on HSY. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of Hershey from $220.00 to $200.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 25th. UBS Group set a $178.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a report on Thursday. DA Davidson set a $190.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a report on Friday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Hershey from $193.00 to $183.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on shares of Hershey from $212.00 to $206.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 21st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and sixteen have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Hershey currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $199.44.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on HSY Hershey Trading Up 1.3% NYSE HSY opened at $170.90 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03. Hershey Company has a twelve month low of $156.16 and a twelve month high of $239.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.34 billion, a PE ratio of 23.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.10. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $172.93 and its 200 day moving average is $181.20.
Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.43 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.63 billion. Hershey had a return on equity of 31.92% and a net margin of 12.24%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.21 earnings per share. Hershey has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.360-8.520 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Hershey Company will post 8.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Hershey Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 14th were given a $1.4520 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 14th. This represents a $5.81 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is currently 79.37%.
Insider Buying and Selling at Hershey In related news, CFO Steven Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total value of $255,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 53,195 shares in the company, valued at $9,043,150. This trade represents a 2.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.08% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.
About Hershey (Free Report)
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is a global confectionery and snack food company headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894, the company began as a chocolate manufacturer and has grown into one of the largest producers of confectionery products in North America.
Hershey’s portfolio includes chocolate, candy, gum, mints, protein bars and salty snacks. Its well-known brands include Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop and Dot’s.
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A childless candy maker secretly handed his fortune to orphans in 1918, and the legal structure he chose still controls one of America's biggest snack companies today. Wealthy donors quietly use a version of the same playbook, but the fine…
In 1918, a childless candy maker quietly moved a large block of company stock into a trust for orphans. He told almost no one.
According to Philanthropy Roundtable, Milton Hershey placed about $60 million of Hershey (NYSE:HSY | HSY Price Prediction) stock into the trust in November 1918. For scale, Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) sold for $25 million that same year. The foundation went back further. Hershey Trust Company was chartered on April 28, 1905, and in 1909 Milton and Catherine Hershey signed a deed of trust for what was then the Hershey Industrial School. Today it is the Milton Hershey School.
A Century-Old Trust Still Controls a Snack Giant
The Milton Hershey School and School Trust’s Form 990 for the fiscal year ending July 2025 shows total assets of about $23.6 billion and net assets of about $23.3 billion. That total covers far more than Hershey stock, and it changes from year to year. Total assets stood at $23.4 billion in July 2024 and $24.2 billion in July 2023.
The trust owns almost all of the Class B stock of Hershey. Bloomberg reported on December 11, 2024 that those shares carried roughly 80% of the company’s voting power. Hershey’s proxy calls the trust company, acting as trustee, the controlling shareholder. As of March 6, 2026, it held 54,612,012 Class B shares, and each one can be converted into a share of common stock. The trust turned away a takeover approach from Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ) in 2024 and blocked another in 2016.
He Made America’s Orphans His Heirs
Hershey said he had no heirs, so he decided to make the orphan boys of the United States his heirs. He kept the gift private until a 1923 New York Times interview, given at age 66. When he died in 1945, he owned little beyond his home and its furniture. The school serves low-income students. In 2021, ProPublica reported fiscal 2020 figures of about 2,100 students and roughly $90,000 in spending per student per year.
A trust like this does three things. It separates the assets from the donor, ties them to a stated purpose, and keeps them working across generations. The donor gives the assets away for good.
What Today’s Donors Use Instead
The closest modern comparison is a private foundation, though it is a different legal vehicle from Hershey’s 1909 deed of trust. The donor picks the board and the causes, and the foundation can fund international grants, scholarships and direct aid. A donor-advised fund offers less flexibility but allows anonymous gifts. Foundation giving is public.
Based on 2021 reporting, donors can deduct cash gifts to a private foundation up to 30% of adjusted gross income and publicly traded securities up to 20%, with a five-year carryover. Those limits may have changed since. Private foundations must also distribute at least 5% of their assets each year and pay a 1.39% excise tax on net investment income.
Setup Costs Run Well Past a Few Thousand Dollars
Wylie Advisory estimates that attorney-drafted formation documents cost $3,000 to $10,000. The “few thousand dollars” in the headline refers only to the low end of that drafting work. The IRS Form 1023 filing fee is $600. Crewe Foundation Services puts typical total startup costs at $5,000 to $20,000, while American Endowment Foundation says private attorneys often charge $7,500 to $25,000 for the state and federal filings. Wylie estimates annual operating costs of $5,000 to $30,000 or more, not counting investment management fees.
The firm also says many advisors want $3 million to $5 million in assets before recommending a foundation. All of these figures are advisory-firm estimates. A donor-advised fund is the cheaper route. Anyone considering either option should have an estate or tax attorney confirm current costs and limits.
Even Hershey’s Trust Gets Policed
In 1963, $50 million, about 20% of the endowment, was allocated to create the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Courts later blocked attempts to allocated more. In 2002, the trust voted to explore selling the company, and Pennsylvania’s attorney general won a court injunction.
After bids came in, the trustee voted 10 to 7 on September 17, 2002 to turn down them, according to Gadsden. The trust then agreed to notify the attorney general in advance and get court approval before any future sale. In 2016, state regulators sought the removal of several board members. The lesson for donors is that the governing document has to spell out retention, sale and oversight if the original intent is going to last.
Hershey had no heirs, so he chose some. Watch whether court and attorney general oversight keeps that intent intact.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
In the latest close session, Hershey (HSY - Free Report) was up +2.7% at $168.68. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.33% for the day. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 1.08%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.08%.
The chocolate bar and candy maker's stock has dropped by 3.83% in the past month, falling short of the Consumer Staples sector's gain of 0.3% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.41%.
Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Hershey in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on October 29, 2026. On that day, Hershey is projected to report earnings of $2.11 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 62.31%. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $3.25 billion, indicating a 2.3% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $8.49 per share and a revenue of $12.29 billion, representing changes of +34.55% and +5.12%, respectively, from the prior year.
It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Hershey. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.
Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.
The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. Hershey is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Investors should also note Hershey's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 19.35. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 18.91.
Meanwhile, HSY's PEG ratio is currently 1.3. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Food - Confectionery industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 1.3 as of yesterday's close.
The Food - Confectionery industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 195, this industry ranks in the bottom 21% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow HSY in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Hershey (HSY - Free Report) . This company, which is in the Zacks Food - Confectionery industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.
This chocolate bar and candy maker has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 22.83%.
For the most recent quarter, Hershey was expected to post earnings of $1.45 per share, but it reported $1.9 per share instead, representing a surprise of 31.03%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $2.05 per share, while it actually produced $2.35 per share, a surprise of 14.63%.
Price and EPS Surprise
For Hershey, estimates have been trending higher, thanks in part to this earnings surprise history. And when you look at the stock's positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction), it's a great indicator of a future earnings beat, especially when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.
Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Hershey currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.51%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on October 29, 2026.
With the Earnings ESP metric, it's important to note that a negative value reduces its predictive power; however, a negative Earnings ESP does not indicate an earnings miss.
Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.
Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
H2'26 may bring forth HSY's margin compression from the elevated innovation/marketing efforts and the expensive freight/logistics costs. This is on top of the intermediate-term commodity inflation from the impacted cocoa/sugar supply and the softer demand from the uncertain macroeconomic environment. Fortunately, these headwinds have been embedded in HSY's cheaper P/E of 19.17x and PEG of 1.03x, with the selloff triggering the richer forward dividend yield of 3.57%.
Seneca Foods (NASDAQ:SENEB – Get Free Report) and Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, valuation, risk, profitability, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations.
Insider & Institutional Ownership 3.4% of Seneca Foods shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 58.0% of Hershey shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.6% of Seneca Foods shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Hershey shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.
Profitability This table compares Seneca Foods and Hershey’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Seneca Foods N/A N/A N/A Hershey 12.24% 31.92% 10.71% Valuation & Earnings This table compares Seneca Foods and Hershey”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Seneca Foods $1.77 billion N/A N/A $3.08 59.07 Hershey $12.16 billion 2.70 $883.26 million $7.32 22.35 Hershey has higher revenue and earnings than Seneca Foods. Hershey is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Seneca Foods, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Seneca Foods and Hershey, as provided by MarketBeat.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Seneca Foods 0 1 0 0 2.00 Hershey 0 16 6 0 2.27 Hershey has a consensus price target of $203.67, suggesting a potential upside of 24.49%. Given Hershey’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Hershey is more favorable than Seneca Foods.
Summary Hershey beats Seneca Foods on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Seneca Foods (Get Free Report)
Seneca Foods Corporation provides packaged fruits and vegetables in the United States and internationally. The company offers canned, frozen, and bottled produce; and snack chips and other food products under the private label, as well as under various national and regional brands that the company owns or licenses, including Seneca, Libby's, Aunt Nellie's, READ, Green Valley, Paradise, Seneca Farms, and CherryMan. It also packs Green Giant, Le Sueur, and other brands of canned vegetables, as well as select Green Giant frozen vegetables for B&G Foods North America under a contract packing agreement. In addition, the company engages in the sale of cans and ends, as well as trucking and aircraft operations. It provides its products to grocery outlets, including supermarkets, mass merchandisers, limited assortment stores, club stores, and dollar stores; and food service distributors, industrial markets, other food packagers, and export customers in 90 countries, as well as federal, state, and local governments for school and other feeding programs. The company was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Marion, New York.
About Hershey (Get Free Report)
The Hershey Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products and pantry items in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International. It offers chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products, including mints, chewing gums, and bubble gums; protein bars; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings, beverages, and sundae syrups; and snack items comprising spreads, bars, snack bites, mixes, popcorn, and pretzels. The company provides its products primarily under the Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Almond Joy, Brookside, barkTHINS, Cadbury, Good & Plenty, Heath, Kit Kat, Payday, Rolo, Twizzlers, Whoppers, York, Ice Breakers, Breath Savers, Bubble Yum, Lily’s, SkinnyPop, Pirates Booty, Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels, and ONE Bar brands, as well as under the Pelon Pelo Rico, IO-IO, and Sofit brands. It markets and sells its products to wholesale distributors, chain grocery stores, mass merchandisers, chain drug stores, vending companies, wholesale clubs, convenience stores, dollar stores, concessionaires, and department stores. The company exports its products in approximately 80 countries worldwide. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
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Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) and Vital Farms (NASDAQ:VITL – Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, dividends and valuation.
Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Hershey and Vital Farms, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Hershey 0 16 6 0 2.27 Vital Farms 1 8 5 0 2.29 Hershey presently has a consensus target price of $203.67, suggesting a potential upside of 25.23%. Vital Farms has a consensus target price of $17.18, suggesting a potential upside of 84.16%. Given Vital Farms’ stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Vital Farms is more favorable than Hershey.
Institutional and Insider Ownership 58.0% of Hershey shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.6% of Vital Farms shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Hershey shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.9% of Vital Farms shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Volatility & Risk Hershey has a beta of 0.1, suggesting that its share price is 90% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vital Farms has a beta of 1.08, suggesting that its share price is 8% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Earnings & Valuation This table compares Hershey and Vital Farms”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Hershey $11.69 billion 2.79 $883.26 million $7.32 22.22 Vital Farms $759.44 million 0.53 $66.28 million ($0.04) -233.25 Hershey has higher revenue and earnings than Vital Farms. Vital Farms is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hershey, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability This table compares Hershey and Vital Farms’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Hershey 12.24% 31.92% 10.71% Vital Farms 0.02% 3.46% 2.25% Summary Hershey beats Vital Farms on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Hershey (Get Free Report)
The Hershey Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products and pantry items in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International. It offers chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products, including mints, chewing gums, and bubble gums; protein bars; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings, beverages, and sundae syrups; and snack items comprising spreads, bars, snack bites, mixes, popcorn, and pretzels. The company provides its products primarily under the Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Almond Joy, Brookside, barkTHINS, Cadbury, Good & Plenty, Heath, Kit Kat, Payday, Rolo, Twizzlers, Whoppers, York, Ice Breakers, Breath Savers, Bubble Yum, Lily’s, SkinnyPop, Pirates Booty, Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels, and ONE Bar brands, as well as under the Pelon Pelo Rico, IO-IO, and Sofit brands. It markets and sells its products to wholesale distributors, chain grocery stores, mass merchandisers, chain drug stores, vending companies, wholesale clubs, convenience stores, dollar stores, concessionaires, and department stores. The company exports its products in approximately 80 countries worldwide. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
About Vital Farms (Get Free Report)
Vital Farms, Inc., a food company, provides pasture-raised products in the United States. It offers shell eggs, butter, hard-boiled eggs, and liquid whole eggs. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
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What happened Hershey Co. (NYSE: HSY) filed that Hershey Trust Co Trustee In Trust For Milton Hershey School sold 20,000 shares over 2026-10-08 and 2026-10-09. The trust is a 10% owner. The shares sold for $160.86 to $163.15 each, for about $3.25 million total.
The form shows several transactions on both dates, with weighted-average prices within that range. After the sale, the trust held 616,119 shares. The filing says the trades were made under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.
Key numbers Metric Latest Change Source Shares sold 20,000 shares SEC Form 4 Sale price range from $160.86 to $163.15 per share SEC Form 4 Total value about $3.25 million SEC Form 4 Shares held after sale 616,119 shares SEC Form 4 Read more: Hershey (HSY) stock analysis and investment case Why it matters OptimistFi's case is that Hershey turns strong brand equity in confectionery into recurring cash flow and shareholder returns. That case depends on passing input costs through to consumers and defending shelf-share. If margins do not recover from the 2025 hit, the equity is at risk even if revenue stays stable.
OptimistFi's calculation puts the 20,000-share sale at about 3.1% of the holding before the trade, so the filing looks like a measured trim rather than a full exit. The Rule 10b5-1 plan is the main caveat. Scheduled trading can limit what the sale says about current sentiment. Because the trade followed a preset plan, it may have been set long before investors saw this filing.
Browse: stock research on every company OptimistFi covers
What's next The next quarterly report is the next scheduled check on whether margin recovery is still on track. It will matter more than this Form 4 for judging operating performance. It will also be the next test against the trust's trimmed stake.
A better margin trend would support OptimistFi's case. Another setback would keep the equity at risk. For now, the filing sets a new baseline for a 10% owner and shows the trust still held 616,119 shares after the sale. Investors will compare that with the margin recovery implied by the case. If later reports show recovery, the sale will look like a routine plan sale rather than a signal about fundamentals.
More from OptimistFi HSY stock: the Hershey thesis, its status and the next test to watch Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE: LEVI) Raises Profit as Wholesale Outruns DTC Park Aerospace Corp. (NYSE: PKE) Expands Profit as Sales Rise Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ: HELE) Lifts Profit as Cash Flow Rebounds Stock research on every company OptimistFi covers Latest stock research and investment-case updates OptimistFi: evidence-first equity research Sources SEC Form 4 — Form 4 for Hershey Trust Co Trustee In Trust For Milton Hershey School, filed 2026-10-09. Read the full OptimistFi thesis on Hershey Co: https://optimistfi.com/stocks/HSY
See what would break the Hershey Co thesis and track it live on the OptimistFi Thesis-Break Engine.
Browse every company OptimistFi covers at optimistfi.com/stocks, or read the latest evidence-first research.
The full Hershey Co investment case, its status and the next test to watch live on the Hershey Co thesis page.
Originally published on OptimistFi, evidence-first equity research. More at optimistfi.com.
Limoneira (NASDAQ:LMNR – Get Free Report) and Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and profitability.
Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Limoneira and Hershey, as reported by MarketBeat.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Limoneira 1 1 2 0 2.25 Hershey 0 16 6 0 2.27 Limoneira currently has a consensus target price of $16.50, suggesting a potential upside of 36.93%. Hershey has a consensus target price of $203.67, suggesting a potential upside of 25.23%. Given Limoneira’s higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Limoneira is more favorable than Hershey.
Institutional & Insider Ownership 64.3% of Limoneira shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 58.0% of Hershey shares are held by institutional investors. 9.2% of Limoneira shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Hershey shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Limoneira and Hershey”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Limoneira $159.72 million 1.37 -$15.98 million ($2.39) -5.04 Hershey $11.69 billion 2.79 $883.26 million $7.32 22.22 Hershey has higher revenue and earnings than Limoneira. Limoneira is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hershey, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability This table compares Limoneira and Hershey’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Limoneira -33.03% -13.91% -7.50% Hershey 12.24% 31.92% 10.71% Volatility and Risk Limoneira has a beta of 0.34, suggesting that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Hershey has a beta of 0.1, suggesting that its stock price is 90% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Summary Hershey beats Limoneira on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Limoneira (Get Free Report)
Limoneira Company operates as an agribusiness and real estate development company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three divisions: Agribusiness, Rental Operations, and Real Estate Development. It grows, processes, packs, markets, and sells lemons. The company also grows avocado, oranges, and specialty citrus and other crops, including Moro blood oranges, Cara Cara oranges, Valencia oranges, Minneola tangelos, Star Ruby grapefruit, pummelos, and wine grapes. It has approximately 3,500 acres of lemons planted primarily in Ventura, Tulare, San Luis Obispo, and San Bernardino Counties in California; and Jujuy, Argentina, as well in Yuma County, Arizona, and La Serena, Chile; 1,200 acres of avocados planted in Ventura County; 100 acres of oranges planted in Tulare County, California; and 400 acres of specialty citrus and other crops. In addition, the company rents residential housing units and commercial office buildings, as well as leases approximately 400 acres of its land to third-party agricultural tenants. Further, it is involved in the organic recycling operations; and development of land parcels, multi-family housing, and single-family homes. The company markets and sells its lemons directly to food service, wholesale, and retail customers; avocados, oranges, specialty citrus, and other crops to third-party packinghouses; and wine grapes to wine producers. Limoneira Company was founded in 1893 and is headquartered in Santa Paula, California.
About Hershey (Get Free Report)
The Hershey Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products and pantry items in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International. It offers chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products, including mints, chewing gums, and bubble gums; protein bars; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings, beverages, and sundae syrups; and snack items comprising spreads, bars, snack bites, mixes, popcorn, and pretzels. The company provides its products primarily under the Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Almond Joy, Brookside, barkTHINS, Cadbury, Good & Plenty, Heath, Kit Kat, Payday, Rolo, Twizzlers, Whoppers, York, Ice Breakers, Breath Savers, Bubble Yum, Lily’s, SkinnyPop, Pirates Booty, Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels, and ONE Bar brands, as well as under the Pelon Pelo Rico, IO-IO, and Sofit brands. It markets and sells its products to wholesale distributors, chain grocery stores, mass merchandisers, chain drug stores, vending companies, wholesale clubs, convenience stores, dollar stores, concessionaires, and department stores. The company exports its products in approximately 80 countries worldwide. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
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HERSHEY, Pa., Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) announced today that it will release its third-quarter sales and earnings results on Thursday, October 29, 2026, and hold a conference call with analysts at 8:30 a.m. ET on that date. The company will host the conference call via a live webcast on the Hershey corporate website. Please click here and navigate to "CALENDAR OF EVENTS" for webcast details.
If you are unable to click on the link above, please copy and paste the URL below into a web browser
https://investors.thehersheycompany.com/en_us/home/news-and-events/calendar-of-events.html
In the latest close session, Hershey (HSY - Free Report) was up +1.37% at $162.54. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.47%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.1%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 1.25%.
The stock of chocolate bar and candy maker has fallen by 6.88% in the past month, lagging the Consumer Staples sector's loss of 4.53% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.15%.
Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Hershey in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is expected to report EPS of $2.11, up 62.31% from the prior-year quarter. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $3.25 billion, indicating a 2.3% upward movement from the same quarter last year.
Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $8.49 per share and revenue of $12.29 billion, indicating changes of +34.55% and +5.12%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Hershey. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained steady. At present, Hershey boasts a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Digging into valuation, Hershey currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 18.89. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 18.26.
It's also important to note that HSY currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.27. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Food - Confectionery industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 1.27 as of yesterday's close.
The Food - Confectionery industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 107, putting it in the top 44% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow HSY in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
Anthony Rizzo, Ryan Howard and Nick Swisher recognize the behind-the-scenes contributors whose hustle helped shape their connection to the game
, /PRNewswire/ -- As postseason baseball shines a spotlight on the game's biggest stars, the Payday brand is celebrating the people who are behind the scenes powering the game. Through the new Low Key Legends campaign, the Payday brand partnered with baseball legends Anthony Rizzo, Ryan Howard and Nick Swisher to recognize people whose hustle and passion throughout their careers often goes unseen but helps power players, teams and fans.
PayDay partners with Anthony Rizzo, Ryan Howard, and Nick Swisher for the Lowkey Legends Campaign
Anthony Rizzo for the PayDay Lowkey Legends Campaign
Ryan Howard for the PayDay Lowkey Legends Campaign
Nick Swisher for the PayDay Lowkey Legends Campaign Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/hershey/9413552-en-payday-bar-brand-partners-with-baseball-legends
For Anthony Rizzo, that person is Danny Mueller, whose journey from bat boy to clubhouse manager made him a trusted fixture of Chicago baseball. For Ryan Howard, it is Ali Modami, the batting practice pitcher known for helping players prepare and succeed behind the scenes. For Nick Swisher, it is Rob Cucuzza, the longtime clubhouse manager whose consistency and leadership helped keep one of baseball's most iconic clubhouses running.
Each Low Key Legend honoree will receive $8,000 from the Payday brand in recognition of their contributions to the game. The Payday brand will also make an additional $8,000 charitable donation in each honoree's name, turning recognition into a giveback that extends their impact beyond the ballpark and helps create opportunities for future generations.
"The Payday brand believes the simple, real stuff matters," said Chris Fenton, Senior Brand Manager, Payday. "In baseball, that means the people who show up every day, handle the details and keep the game moving without asking for the spotlight. Through the Low Key Legends campaign, we're proud to celebrate the behind-the-scenes contributors whose dedication embodies that spirit and whose impact deserves to be recognized."
"Danny Mueller's journey from bat boy to clubhouse manager says everything about the hustle that fuels the game," said Anthony Rizzo. "He worked his way up by doing the little things that keep a clubhouse moving, earning the respect of everyone around him along the way. You can always count on Danny, and that is why he is so deserving of this title."
"Fans see what happens on the field, but they don't always see the hustle that makes those moments possible," said Ryan Howard. "Ali Modami has spent years helping players put in the work and prepare behind the scenes. That effort fuels what happens at the plate and makes him a true Low Key Legend."
"Every clubhouse needs someone like Rob Cucuzza," said Nick Swisher. "He took pride in getting every detail right and never cut corners. That behind-the-scenes hustle kept the clubhouse running and helped everyone around him perform at their best."
Together, their stories spotlight the steady dedication that keeps baseball moving, from clubhouse routines to preparation behind the scenes. For Payday, that spirit reflects a simple belief: real impact often comes from the people who show up every day and do the work without asking for the spotlight.
FAQs
What is Payday Low Key Legends?
Low Key Legends is a baseball-season campaign that celebrates the people who fuel the game but whose essential work happens behind the scenes, including groundskeepers, clubhouse staff, equipment managers and other longtime contributors. Through the campaign, Payday is recognizing the dedication, consistency and hustle that help keep the game moving season after season.
What does Payday mean by a "Low Key Legend"?
A Low Key Legend is someone whose hard work, consistency and behind-the-scenes contributions make a meaningful difference, but whose work is not typically recognized publicly. In baseball, that may include clubhouse staff, equipment managers, groundskeepers, stadium crews and other contributors whose work helps make every game possible.
Who is participating in the campaign?
Baseball legends Anthony Rizzo, Ryan Howard and Nick Swisher are partnering with Payday to honor people from their own baseball communities who have helped fuel their success. Each selected a Low Key Legend honoree whose dedication and impact deserve greater recognition.
What will each Low Key Legend receive?
Each Low Key Legend honoree will receive $8,000 from the Payday brand in recognition of their contributions to the game. The Payday brand will also make a separate $8,000 charitable donation in each honoree's name, helping extend their impact beyond the ballpark and support future generations in their communities.
Who are the 2026 Low Key Legends being nominated?
Anthony Rizzo selected Danny Mueller, clubhouse manager. Ryan Howard selected Ali Modami, batting practice pitcher. Nick Swisher selected Rob Cucuzza, clubhouse manager. Each was chosen for the lasting impact they made behind the scenes in their respective baseball communities.
Why is PAYDAY celebrating Low Key Legends?
Payday is built for hustle, not hype. This playoff season, we're saluting the Low Key Legends—authentic, essential people who keep the game running and never ask for the spotlight. While Payday fuels the hustle, Low Key Legends are the real fuel behind October baseball.
Is there anything new to the classic Payday bar?
No. Low Key Legends is a new campaign from Payday celebrating baseball's behind-the-scenes contributors. The campaign does not involve any changes to the classic Payday bar, which continues to deliver the same combination of peanuts and caramel fans know and love.
Why does Payday believe these behind-the-scenes roles matter?
These behind-the-scenes legends are the backbone of baseball. Without their grit and dedication, game day doesn't happen. Payday knows the real magic isn't just on the field—it's in the everyday effort that makes every moment possible. Their work keeps the game running, and their impact fuels every inning.
How does Low Key Legends connect to Payday?
Low Key Legends reflects the Payday belief that it is in fact the simple, real stuff that fuels us best. Just like Payday is all about straightforward, authentic fuel, baseball runs on the hard work of people behind the scenes. This campaign honors their hustle and delivers the recognition—and the "pay day"—they deserve. Peanut. Caramel. Bar. That's the Payday way.
What is the connection between Payday and baseball?
Baseball and peanuts are two timeless traditions that have gone hand in hand for generations. Through Low Key Legends, Payday is celebrating another part of the game that stands the test of time: the dedicated people whose hard work helps make every season possible.
How can fans participate?
Fans can tag @payday_bar and use #LowKeyLegends to celebrate a behind-the-scenes hero from their ballpark.
Where can people follow the campaign?
Follow @payday_bar on Instagram and @payday_candybar on TikTok for Low Key Legends stories and campaign updates.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is an industry-leading snacks company with a purpose to make more moments of goodness and a vision to lead next generation snacking. Hershey brings together more than 20,000 employees worldwide to deliver delicious, high-quality products across more than 85 brands in approximately 65 countries, generating more than $11.7 billion in annual revenues.
Hershey brings its full portfolio to market as ONE Hershey, spanning confection, salty and functional snacking categories with beloved brands like Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, KIT KAT®, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers; salty snacks including SkinnyPop, LesserEvil, Pirate's Booty and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels; and a protein portfolio including ONE Brands and Fulfil. For more than 130 years, Hershey has operated fairly, ethically and sustainably. Founder Milton Hershey established Milton Hershey School in 1909, and that legacy of purpose endures today through the company's commitment to helping children succeed through equitable access to education.
SummaryThe Hershey Company is rated a 'Buy' for its strong brands, resilient profitability, and attractive valuation well below historical norms.HSY offers a 3.6% dividend yield, supported by a robust balance sheet and a well-covered payout ratio of 78%.Management expects earnings and margin recovery into 2027, driven by pricing power, brand investment, and growth in salty snacks.Risks include cocoa price volatility and potential consumer pushback on higher prices, but HSY's diversified portfolio and disciplined pricing provide resilience.Looking for a portfolio of ideas like this one? Members of iREIT®+HOYA Capital get exclusive access to our subscriber-only portfolios. Learn More » Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images
Now is a great time to be a value and income investor. This is particularly the case for stocks in the consumer staples sector, which has been under pressure due to inflation. While the headwinds facing consumers
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in HSY over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
I am not an investment advisor. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute as financial advice. Readers are encouraged and expected to perform due diligence and draw their own conclusions prior to making any investment decisions.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
PepsiCo (PEP +0.23%) and Hershey (HSY +0.56%) are both down about 12.5% year to date, as of Oct. 1, 2026. Both sell everyday brands people buy year-round, and that steady demand helps support generous dividends for income investors.
With stable sales from soft drinks, chocolate, and snacks, these can be anchor dividend stocks you hold for decades -- as long as the investment case holds up.
Today, both still have enough going for them to justify buying the dip and holding for the long haul.
Image source: Getty Images.
PepsiCo stock is down, while sales volume is turning up PepsiCo owns iconic snack and beverage brands including Lay's, Doritos, Gatorade, Pepsi, and Quaker. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 4% in 2026, extending its streak to 54 consecutive annual increases. That pushes its forward dividend yield to an above-average 4.63%.
PepsiCo and other consumer staples have faced weak consumer spending and financial performance in recent years, weighing on their stock prices. But Pepsico is showing improvement.
Its food business is gaining market share. Global food sales volumes rose 3% year over year in the first half of the year, following management's decision to hold prices at affordable levels to bring shoppers back in an inflationary environment. Beverage volumes were also up 2% year over year.
Trailing-12-month free cash flow reached a record $9.2 billion in Q2 2026, and the company returned 84% of that to shareholders through dividends over the past year. Improving sales momentum and record cash generation make now a great time to lock in a high yield on this top consumer staple for the long term.
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Hershey has paid a consistent dividend for 96 years Hershey makes Reese's, Kisses, Dot's Homestyle Pretzels, Skinny Pop, and many other snack and candy brands. Higher cocoa prices have pressured its financial results and the stock price over the past few years, but this 132-year-old company is battle-tested. It has paid a dividend every year for 96 years. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.452 per share on July 29, 2026, putting its forward dividend yield at 3.65%.
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Hershey is starting to recover from the cocoa price shock. The company is using its scale to invest in automation and expand manufacturing capacity, with a focus on supporting fast-growing brands like Dot's. For 2026, management expects organic sales growth of 3% to 3.5% versus 2025, along with adjusted earnings growth of 32.5% to 35%.
Hershey is still generating solid free cash flow -- $2.1 billion on a trailing 12-month basis through Q2 2026. It paid out 52% of that as dividends, leaving plenty of room to sustain the payout even during a weak sales period. With improving financials, the stock's high yield looks attractive. Hershey is an iconic brand that should still be around for decades to come.
The No. 1 Halloween candy brand franchise in the country1 taps data, community insights and a first-ever Halloween Council to find the street that brings Halloween magic to life like no other HERSHEY, Pa., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Reese's, the No.
Seasoned Global Consumer Goods Leader Succeeds Rohit Grover
, /PRNewswire/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced that Amanda Almond has been named President, International, effective Oct. 12, succeeding Rohit Grover. Almond brings more than 30 years of consumer goods and retail experience. She joins Hershey from Vinarchy, where she served as regional managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, following 12 years in senior regional leadership roles at Bacardi.
The Hershey Company Names Amanda Almond President, International At Vinarchy, the Bain Capital-backed global wine company, Almond led a region spanning 57 markets. During her 12 years at Bacardi, she held progressively larger leadership roles built on continued market performance. A high-energy, transformational leader, Almond is known for accelerating growth, bringing teams together and building strong performance cultures that deliver consistent, profitable results.
Grover joined Hershey in 1999 and has spent 27 years building the company's business across its international regions and in the U.S., including eight years as President, International. Almond will work alongside Hershey's International Leadership Team to ensure a seamless transition.
"Amanda is a proven international leader who knows how to build and scale brands in markets around the world," said Kirk Tanner, president and CEO of The Hershey Company. "She has a track record of scaling and growing businesses, bringing teams together and building high-performance cultures, and she brings the experience and energy to accelerate our international growth. I also want to thank Rohit for 27 years of leadership and dedication to Hershey. He has helped build our international markets to succeed in our next generation of growth."
"Hershey's brands are loved around the world, and I'm honored to join the company at such an exciting time for its international business," said Almond. "I'm grateful to Rohit for the strong foundation he and the team have built, and I look forward to working with our teams, customers and partners to bring these iconic brands to even more consumers."
Almond holds a bachelor's degree in commerce from the University of Edinburgh and advanced retail and leadership program studies from the University of Oxford and Harvard School of Business. She will be based in Hershey's U.K. office.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company is an industry-leading snacks company with a purpose to make more moments of goodness and a vision to lead next generation snacking. Hershey brings together more than 20,000 employees worldwide to deliver delicious, high-quality products across more than 85 brands in approximately 65 countries, generating more than $11.7 billion in annual revenues.
Hershey brings its full portfolio to market as ONE Hershey, spanning confection, salty and functional snacking categories with beloved brands like Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, KIT KAT®, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers; salty snacks including SkinnyPop, LesserEvil, Pirate's Booty and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels; and a protein portfolio including ONE Brands and Fulfil.
For more than 130 years, Hershey has operated fairly, ethically and sustainably. Founder Milton Hershey established Milton Hershey School in 1909, and that legacy of purpose endures today through the company's commitment to helping children succeed through equitable access to education.
Hershey (HSY - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $161.41, demonstrating a -1.82% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.17% for the day. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.26%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.09%.
The chocolate bar and candy maker's shares have seen a decrease of 6.7% over the last month, not keeping up with the Consumer Staples sector's loss of 3.69% and the S&P 500's loss of 0.24%.
The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Hershey in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is expected to report EPS of $2.11, up 62.31% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $3.25 billion, up 2.3% from the year-ago period.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $8.49 per share and a revenue of $12.29 billion, representing changes of +34.55% and +5.12%, respectively, from the prior year.
Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Hershey. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.
The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Hershey presently features a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Digging into valuation, Hershey currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 19.37. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 18.85.
Also, we should mention that HSY has a PEG ratio of 1.3. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. HSY's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.3 as of yesterday's close.
The Food - Confectionery industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 110, putting it in the top 45% of all 250+ industries.
The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.
Key Takeaways Hershey is boosting demand efforts as U.S. consumers remain value-oriented and selective. Hershey expects brand investment to rise 30% year over year to support 2026 and 2027 growth. Hershey plans 30% more innovation items versus the first half, including new bars and Reese's products. The Hershey Company (HSY - Free Report) is increasing its focus on demand creation in the second half of 2026 as U.S. consumers remain value-oriented and selective in their spending. The company is pairing higher brand investment with a broader innovation pipeline, improved core-item availability and stronger seasonal programs as it works to support consumer demand.
Hershey expects brand investment to increase 30% year over year, with the spending intended to boost growth in both 2026 and 2027. The company is also activating new campaigns across Cadbury, Payday and FulFil to strengthen consumer engagement. Seasonal and tentpole programs, including Halloween and the Hershey Movie, are expected to provide additional visibility with customers during the second half.
Innovation is another key part of the demand plan. Hershey expects a 30% increase in innovation items versus the first half of 2026. Upcoming launches include Hershey’s Creme Filled Bars and Reese’s Pieces with Cookie, the latter representing the first step in expanding that platform. The company is prioritizing opportunities that broaden its reach across snacking occasions and address evolving consumer needs.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stepped-up investment follows a 3.3% year-over-year decline in advertising and related consumer marketing expenses in the second quarter. The decrease mainly reflected efficiencies and the timing of non-working media investment in North America Confectionery. Hershey expects brand investment to rise meaningfully in the second half as support increases behind 2026 and 2027 initiatives.
Hershey’s second-half demand efforts center on stronger brand support, increased innovation, better core-item availability and seasonal activation. These initiatives are designed to strengthen consumer engagement and support demand creation, while the company navigates a selective spending environment.
The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has dipped 6.3% over the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 5.7%.
Stocks to ConsiderThe Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) is a distributor of specialty food and center-of-the-plate products across the United States, Canada and the Middle East. CHEF currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Chefs' Warehouse’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share (EPS) implies growth of 10.6% and 33.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.
Utz Brands, Inc. (UTZ - Free Report) , a leading U.S. manufacturer of branded salty and savory snacks, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Utz Brands’ current fiscal-year sales suggests a 3.7% jump from the prior-year levels. However, the consensus estimate for current fiscal-year EPS indicates a 2.4% decline from the year-ago period. UTZ delivered a trailing four-quarter surprise of 1.8%, on average.
Laird Superfood, Inc. (LSF - Free Report) is a consumer product company that develops, manufactures and markets plant-based, natural and functional food and beverage products. LSF currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Laird Superfood’s current fiscal-year sales and EPS calls for growth of 188.2% and 104%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. LSF delivered an earnings surprise of 100% in the last reported quarter.
Hershey (HSY - Free Report) closed at $164.41 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.18% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.77%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.67%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.92%.
Shares of the chocolate bar and candy maker have depreciated by 7.08% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Consumer Staples sector's loss of 4.83%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.96%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Hershey in its upcoming release. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $2.11, indicating a 62.31% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $3.25 billion, indicating a 2.3% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $8.49 per share and revenue of $12.29 billion, which would represent changes of +34.55% and +5.12%, respectively, from the prior year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Hershey. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. As of now, Hershey holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
In the context of valuation, Hershey is at present trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 19.6. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 18.96.
One should further note that HSY currently holds a PEG ratio of 1.32. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Food - Confectionery industry held an average PEG ratio of 1.32.
The Food - Confectionery industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 106, positioning it in the top 44% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.
Both Hershey and Mondelez buy the same cocoa, face the same cost squeeze, and just beat earnings four quarters in a row, yet investors are treating them like completely different assets in 2026. The dividend that survives this commodity cycle…
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Should a retirement-focused investor own Hershey (NYSE:HSY | HSY Price Prediction) or Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ) right now? Both buy the same core input, both flag cocoa cost pressure and tariff uncertainty as key risks, and both just posted a fourth consecutive EPS beat. Investors have already picked a side in 2026. Mondelez is up 13.87% year to date, while Hershey is down 6.53%, including a 10.24% slide over the past month. The real test is which dividend holds up when cocoa bites again.
Yield and Payout Safety: Mondelez Has More Room Mondelez yields 3.29% on a $2 annual dividend. Hershey pays an annualized forward dividend of $5.808 against a share price of $166.27.
Free cash flow decides this round. Mondelez guides to roughly $3B of 2026 free cash flow, above the $2,487,000,000 it paid in dividends in 2025. It also spent $2.385B on buybacks last year, a buffer it can trim long before impacting the payout.
Hershey’s 2025 was rougher. Its dividend bill of $1,085,296,000 exceeded net income of $883,259,000 as tariff expense of about $160-170M hit. Operating cash flow of $2,277,367,000 kept the dividend funded, and 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $8.36-$8.52 points to recovery. That is still a forecast, while Mondelez’s coverage is already in hand. Winner: Mondelez.
Dividend Growth and Track Record: Mondelez Kept Raising Through the Crisis Mondelez lifted its quarterly payout from $0.425 in 2023 to $0.47 in 2024 and $0.50 in 2025, then announced a 4% increase in Q2 2026. Its record shows a higher quarterly amount every year since $0.13 in late 2012, though that followed a cut from $0.29 earlier in 2012.
Hershey’s dividend records run back to 1999, with annual raises from $0.656 in 2017 to $1.192 in 2023. Then the payout sat at $1.37 for every payment from February 2024 through November 2025 before rising to $1.452 in February 2026. When cocoa topped out, Hershey paused; Mondelez kept raising. Winner: Mondelez.
Business Durability: Global Reach Protects the Payout Hershey’s Q2 revenue of $2.79B leaned on North America Confectionery at $2.17B. It pushed roughly 12 pts of net price through, expanding adjusted gross margin 350 bps to 41.6%, but volume fell about 8 points, North America Confectionery lost share, and International swung to a $5.1M loss. One input, one market, shrinking volume.
Mondelez spreads the risk. Latin America grew 15.1% and AMEA 8.2%, offsetting Europe’s 3.5% organic decline. Adjusted operating margin contracted 120 bps to 13.1%, and hyperinflationary markets add currency risk. Still, the COO said “2027 earnings are expected to be strong, and quite frankly, earnings are insulated from commodity volatility, for us at least.” A beta of 0.402 fits a retiree’s temperament. Winner: Mondelez.
Verdict: Mondelez Wins for Income Investors Near Retirement Mondelez takes all three rounds. It offers a disclosed 3.29% yield, free cash flow guidance above last year’s dividend bill, and an continuous raise pattern through the worst cocoa squeeze in years. At a forward P/E of 18, retirees are not overpaying for that reliability (if you want more names with the same multi-decade raise pattern, we compared ten such stocks by valuation in a free Dividend Kings report).
Hershey deserves its hearing. Its 10-year return of 123.86% beats Mondelez’s 76.87%, and guidance calls for 32.5%-35% adjusted EPS growth. Total-return investors with a longer runway have a rebound case after the recent selloff.
The conclusion flips if Hershey delivers its guidance and returns to annual raises while Mondelez misses its $3B free cash flow target. Watch for Mondelez’s September 30 ex-dividend date and Hershey’s next earnings report.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Both P&G and Hershey have paid dividends for decades, but one of them proved dangerously vulnerable when a single commodity turned against it, and that difference matters enormously for any retiree counting on steady income growth.
While the S&P 500 is yielding about 1%, Hershey (HSY +0.41%), McDonald's (MCD -5.19%), and NetEase (NTES -1.50%) are trading near their 52-week lows. The market has soured on each stock for different reasons, yet these companies continue to distribute a portion of earnings to shareholders as dividends. Investors willing to look past the near-term noise can take advantage of the dip to lock in higher yields ranging from 1.7% to 3.4% from these industry-leading businesses.
Image source: Getty Images.
Hershey Higher cocoa prices have pressured Hershey's costs and margins, helping push the stock down 11% over the past year. Shares now trade around $168, close to their 52-week low of $161.43. Even so, Hershey recently declared a $1.452 quarterly dividend, or $5.808 annualized. That translates to a forward yield of about 3.45% -- more than triple the S&P 500's average.
Dividend coverage is getting tight. Lower margins due to higher costs have pushed the payout ratio to roughly 82% over the past year, leaving less cushion if margins remain squeezed. But Hershey should see relief as spot cocoa prices have come off their 2025 highs.
At the Sept. 2026 Barclays conference, CFO Dave Hulays said the company has "good visibility into deflation next year from cocoa." If costs normalize, earnings power and dividend flexibility should improve.
Longer term, demand is still working in Hershey's favor. Mordor Intelligence expects the global chocolate market to grow about 6% per year to reach $246 billion by 2031, a tailwind for brands like Reese's, Kit Kat, and Hershey's. Analysts project earnings growth near 20% annually over the next several years, which would help support ongoing dividend growth.
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McDonald's McDonald's shares are down 19% year to date and sit near a 52-week low of $247.65, as U.S. sales have softened. Comparable sales in the U.S. market increased just 0.8% year over year -- a modest number that may reflect pressure on consumer spending, even though management points to execution issues as a reason for the weak quarter.
For income investors, the dividend engine is still intact. McDonald's recently declared a $1.93 quarterly dividend, a 4% increase from the prior payout. That's $7.72 annualized and a forward yield of roughly 3.1%. The raise also extends McDonald's streak to 50 consecutive years of dividend growth, placing it among the select group of Dividend Kings.
What makes McDonald's a strong dividend business isn't just the brand -- it's the business model. Roughly 95% of locations are franchised, which shifts much of the capital burden to franchisees while McDonald's collects high-margin rents and royalties. That helps explain why its adjusted operating margin remains exceptional for a restaurant company, at 46.9% in the first half of 2026.
Management continues to push its Accelerating the Arches strategy: sharpen marketing, invest in the core menu, and expand digital ordering and delivery. Meanwhile, investments to upgrade global systems are expected to reduce administrative expenses as a percentage of sales beginning in 2027. Analysts forecast earnings growth of about 7.7% annually, a reasonable foundation for continued dividend increases.
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NetEase NetEase stock is down 15% this year and is trading around $117, not far above its $106.06 52-week low. As one of China's leading video game publishers, NetEase benefits from exposure to a massive market. The stock has slipped as adjusted net income fell 8% year over year in the first half of the year, but that's mainly due to investment losses -- not weak performance from its games.
NetEase is a highly profitable game publisher, with its trailing-12-month operating margin at 35%. The company recently declared a $0.48 dividend per American Depositary Share (ADS) to U.S. shareholders. Annualized, that works out to a forward yield of about 1.65% at the current $116 share price.
There is one caveat: NetEase adjusts payouts based on year-to-year performance, which means the dividend can fluctuate. Even so, over the last five years, the dividend has grown at a 30% compound annual rate, and the trailing payout ratio sits around 40% of earnings, leaving room to support the payout even if growth is uneven.
The market opportunity remains large. China's gaming market is estimated to reach $52 billion in 2025, and the player base is projected to climb to 769 million by 2030, according to Niko Partners. That creates a substantial runway for major titles, including Eggy Party, which has topped 100 million monthly active users.
Analysts expect earnings to grow around 10% annually over the long term. If that plays out, shareholders could see dividend growth broadly track that earnings expansion over time.
Trust Co Trustee In Trust For Milton Hershey School Hershey, an entity insider of The Hershey Company (HSY -0.33%), reported a sale of 20,000 shares of common stock at $169.08 per share, according to an SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summaryMetricValueShares sold20,000Transaction value~$3.4 millionPost-transaction shares805,749Post-transaction shares (directly held)766,119Post-transaction shares (indirectly held)39,630Post-transaction value~$136.8 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($169.08); post-transaction value based on Sept. 18, 2026, market close ($169.79).
Key questionsWhat was the nature of the execution for this transaction?
The firm executed the sale in multiple tranches over two trading sessions, with execution prices ranging from $166.74 to $171.48 per share.How does this disposal impact the entity's direct common stock position?
The sale of 20,000 shares corresponds to 3% of the entity's directly held common stock, leaving the firm with ~766,000 shares in its direct account.What is the significance of the entity's derivative holdings?
In addition to its common stock, the firm manages 54.6 million derivative units in the form of Class B common stock, which is convertible into common stock on a share-for-share basis at any time.What is the broader context of the reporting firm's ownership?
The Hershey Trust Company serves as the trustee for the Milton Hershey School Trust, which is the sole owner of the trust company and holds the firm's indirect equity position.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-09-21)$167.90Market Capitalization$33.7 billionRevenue (TTM)$12.2 billionNet Income (TTM)$1.5 billionCompany SnapshotThe Hershey Company manufactures and distributes a comprehensive portfolio of confectionery products and salty snacks, generating revenue through three primary business segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International operations.The company operates a vertically integrated business model that encompasses manufacturing, distribution, and retail partnerships, leveraging its extensive brand portfolio and established supply chain to capture market share across multiple consumer segments.The company serves consumers across the United States and international markets through retail channels, foodservice distributors, and direct-to-consumer platforms, with particular strength in the mass-market confectionery and snacking categories.The Hershey Company is a leading global manufacturer of confectionery and snacking products with a market capitalization of $33.7 billion and TTM revenues of $12.2 billion. The company maintains a diversified product portfolio across multiple consumer segments and geographic markets, supported by established brand recognition and a robust distribution infrastructure. With 18,573 employees globally, Hershey leverages its operational scale and brand equity to sustain competitive positioning within the consumer defensive sector.
What this transaction means for investorsAlthough the Form 4 did not state a reason for the transaction, the Hershey Trust's share sale was probably driven by the needs of the Milton Hershey School Trust rather than by concerns about Hershey stock.
Admittedly, given the relatively flat performance of the consumer staples stock over the last five years, investors may have grown increasingly frustrated with Hershey. However, the trust sold only about 2% of its shares, indicating a continued commitment to the stock.
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Moneyball Superscore
68/100
Today's Change
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Moreover, in its current state, the stock is probably more of a hold than a sell. Indeed, rising cocoa prices, rising competition, and appetite suppression caused by the rising popularity of GLP-1 drugs are probably working against the company.
However, net sales have increased this year, up 9% in the first half of 2026. Such growth does not point to a reason to give up on the stock. Also, while a P/E ratio of 25 is too high to attract bargain hunters, it is a fair valuation that should keep the Hershey Trust heavily invested in the stock.
Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Hershey. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Engineers Gate Manager LP lowered its holdings in shares of Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY – Free Report) by 73.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,127 shares of the company’s stock after selling 19,723 shares during the quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP’s holdings in Hershey were worth $1,250,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new position in Hershey in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Reflection Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of Hershey in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Bard Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Hershey during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc bought a new stake in shares of Hershey during the second quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Manchester Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Hershey by 123.0% during the fourth quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 165 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms recently issued reports on HSY. Jefferies Financial Group set a $190.00 price objective on Hershey in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Bank of America cut their target price on Hershey from $220.00 to $200.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Hershey in a research report on Tuesday, September 1st. DA Davidson set a $190.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Hershey from $191.00 to $193.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and sixteen have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $204.78.
Get Our Latest Research Report on HSY Hershey Stock Performance Shares of NYSE HSY opened at $168.50 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03. The company has a market capitalization of $33.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.11. Hershey Company has a 12 month low of $161.43 and a 12 month high of $239.48. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $177.96 and a 200-day moving average of $189.09.
Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.63 billion. Hershey had a return on equity of 31.92% and a net margin of 12.24%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.21 earnings per share. Hershey has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.360-8.520 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Hershey Company will post 8.49 EPS for the current year.
Hershey Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 14th were given a dividend of $1.452 per share. This represents a $5.81 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 14th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is presently 79.37%.
Insider Activity at Hershey In related news, CFO Steven Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $255,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 53,195 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,043,150. This represents a 2.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.
Hershey Company Profile (Free Report)
The Hershey Company is a global confectionery and snack manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Its portfolio includes chocolate, non-chocolate confectionery, salty snacks and pantry products sold under brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop and Dot’s.
Milton S. Hershey founded the company in 1894, and its milk chocolate business helped establish Hershey, Pennsylvania, as a center of American chocolate production. The company has expanded beyond its original chocolate offerings through product development, licensing arrangements and acquisitions in the confectionery and snack categories.
Hershey serves consumers primarily in the United States and Canada and markets its products internationally through retail, e-commerce and other distribution channels.
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In the latest trading session, Hershey (HSY - Free Report) closed at $168.33, marking a -1.44% move from the previous day. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily gain of 1.14%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.61%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 1.69%.
The chocolate bar and candy maker's shares have seen a decrease of 9.53% over the last month, not keeping up with the Consumer Staples sector's loss of 1.17% and the S&P 500's loss of 2.85%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Hershey in its upcoming release. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $2.11, signifying a 62.31% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $3.26 billion, up 2.34% from the year-ago period.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $8.49 per share and a revenue of $12.29 billion, demonstrating changes of +34.55% and +5.13%, respectively, from the preceding year.
Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Hershey. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant. Hershey is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Looking at its valuation, Hershey is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 20.08. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 19.92.
It is also worth noting that HSY currently has a PEG ratio of 1.35. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Food - Confectionery was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.35 at yesterday's closing price.
The Food - Confectionery industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 202, putting it in the bottom 18% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.
NewEdge Advisors LLC trimmed its stake in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY – Free Report) by 25.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 18,367 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,357 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC’s holdings in Hershey were worth $3,222,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of HSY. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in Hershey during the second quarter valued at approximately $2,303,889,000. Capital International Investors increased its holdings in shares of Hershey by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 9,106,431 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,657,189,000 after buying an additional 169,660 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Hershey by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,831,101 shares of the company’s stock worth $876,434,000 after buying an additional 104,024 shares during the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hershey during the 2nd quarter valued at $485,436,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in shares of Hershey by 10.0% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,395,644 shares of the company’s stock valued at $290,141,000 after buying an additional 127,113 shares in the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $212.00 to $206.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 21st. Barclays reduced their target price on Hershey from $208.00 to $200.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Hershey from $215.00 to $180.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Bank of America dropped their price target on Hershey from $220.00 to $200.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on Hershey from $190.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and sixteen have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hershey presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $204.78.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on HSY Insider Activity In other news, CFO Steven Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $255,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 53,195 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,043,150. This trade represents a 2.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.
Hershey Trading Up 0.2% Shares of HSY opened at $170.76 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $34.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.33, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 1.18. Hershey Company has a fifty-two week low of $161.43 and a fifty-two week high of $239.48. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $178.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $189.57.
Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.90 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.43 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.63 billion. Hershey had a net margin of 12.24% and a return on equity of 31.92%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.21 EPS. Hershey has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.360-8.520 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Hershey Company will post 8.49 earnings per share for the current year.
Hershey Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 14th were given a dividend of $1.452 per share. This represents a $5.81 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 14th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is presently 79.37%.
Hershey Profile (Free Report)
The Hershey Company is a global confectionery and snack manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Its portfolio includes chocolate, non-chocolate confectionery, salty snacks and pantry products sold under brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop and Dot’s.
Milton S. Hershey founded the company in 1894, and its milk chocolate business helped establish Hershey, Pennsylvania, as a center of American chocolate production. The company has expanded beyond its original chocolate offerings through product development, licensing arrangements and acquisitions in the confectionery and snack categories.
Hershey serves consumers primarily in the United States and Canada and markets its products internationally through retail, e-commerce and other distribution channels.
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Hershey (HSY.N) won the dismissal of a lawsuit claiming it let down consumers because its Halloween-themed Reese's pumpkins lacked the decorative carved designs shown on the packaging.
U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian in Miami said the two Florida residents leading the proposed class action lacked legal standing to claim they overpaid upon discovering that their peanut butter-and-chocolate pumpkins were faceless.
The plaintiffs, Nathan Vidal and Eduardo Granados, said they bought their Reese's candy for the "novelty" value of its "cool and beautiful carved-out designs," including for eyes and mouths.
"Accepting plaintiffs’ allegations as true, it is clear that their only injury is their subjective disappointment," Damian wrote. "Plaintiffs do not allege that the Hershey’s Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins that they purchased were defective or worthless or that they lost all economic value because of the absence of the decorative carvings."
The judge also said Vidal and Granados could not show they paid up to 25% too much by citing Reese's prices at Target, at Walmart and in Hershey's online store, because they bought their candy at a Publix supermarket.
Damian dismissed an earlier version of the lawsuit last September.
James Kelly, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said his clients were disappointed and planned to appeal.
"Consumers in Florida deserve to get what they pay for, and it is troubling to see them left without protection," he said.
Hershey declined to comment, saying it does not discuss litigation.
In a court filing seeking the lawsuit's dismissal, Hershey said its packaging included a disclaimer that the depicted carvings were a "decorating suggestion."
The Hershey, Pennsylvania-based company also said objectively reasonable consumers would not believe the carvings guaranteed what was inside, and the plaintiffs "got what they bargained for--delicious candy."
Last month, Hershey rolled out more than 20 Halloween-themed products, including Reese's pumpkins, for the October 31 holiday.
Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new position in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 1,566,662 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $274,871,000. Bank of America Corp DE owned approximately 0.78% of Hershey as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Syon Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Hershey by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Syon Capital LLC now owns 3,020 shares of the company’s stock worth $550,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its position in shares of Hershey by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 2,561 shares of the company’s stock worth $466,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC raised its stake in Hershey by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 1,325 shares of the company’s stock valued at $241,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Sylvest Advisors LLC raised its stake in Hershey by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Sylvest Advisors LLC now owns 5,042 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,048,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the period. Finally, Faithward Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Hershey by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Faithward Advisors LLC now owns 2,935 shares of the company’s stock worth $534,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.
Hershey Stock Performance Hershey stock opened at $170.76 on Thursday. Hershey Company has a fifty-two week low of $161.43 and a fifty-two week high of $239.48. The company has a market capitalization of $34.31 billion, a PE ratio of 23.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.11. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $178.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $189.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 1.18.
Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.47. Hershey had a net margin of 12.24% and a return on equity of 31.92%. The firm had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.63 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.21 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Hershey has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.360-8.520 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Hershey Company will post 8.49 earnings per share for the current year. Hershey Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 14th were given a dividend of $1.452 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 14th. This represents a $5.81 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. Hershey’s payout ratio is currently 79.37%.
Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CFO Steven Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $255,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 53,195 shares in the company, valued at $9,043,150. The trade was a 2.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on HSY shares. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Hershey from $212.00 to $206.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 21st. TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Hershey in a report on Tuesday, September 1st. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Hershey from $215.00 to $180.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Barclays cut their price objective on Hershey from $208.00 to $200.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $190.00 target price on Hershey in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and sixteen have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hershey currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $204.78.
Read Our Latest Report on HSY
About Hershey (Free Report)
The Hershey Company is a global confectionery and snack manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Its portfolio includes chocolate, non-chocolate confectionery, salty snacks and pantry products sold under brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop and Dot’s.
Milton S. Hershey founded the company in 1894, and its milk chocolate business helped establish Hershey, Pennsylvania, as a center of American chocolate production. The company has expanded beyond its original chocolate offerings through product development, licensing arrangements and acquisitions in the confectionery and snack categories.
Hershey serves consumers primarily in the United States and Canada and markets its products internationally through retail, e-commerce and other distribution channels.
Read More Five stocks we like better than Hershey 3 Luxury Consumer Brands to Watch in a Beaten-Down Sector Jackson’s Record Quarter Powers the Bull Case Holiday Shopping Is Almost Here—And Target May Be Ready to Win Big AI Panic Hit Tech Stocks—But NVIDIA’s Growth Engine Is Intact
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Dot's Pretzels is giving fans a sweet and smoky twist to the game-day lineup with limited-time Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Dot's Pretzels, the #1 pretzel brand1, is turning up the heat on fall football with new "A Winning Season Tastes Like Dot's" programming, putting the bold spotlight on the traditions, rituals, and game-day moments that bring fans together every week of the season. At the center of it all: Dot's Original Pretzels are joined this fall by the new, limited-time Dot's Chipotle Honey — proof that winning, on the field or at the table, starts with the right ingredients.
NEW limited-time Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels bring a sweet-and-smoky twist to football season, giving fans a bold new addition to game-day spreads, tailgates and watch parties all fall long.
Rookie Football star Caleb Downs partners with Dot's Pretzels to spotlight the traditions, rituals and game-day moments that bring fans together throughout football season. Dot's Original Pretzels remain an undisputed centerpiece of the game-day spread whether fans are having a small watch party at home or an epic tailgate at their Alma matter. Delivering the bold, buttery-rich flavor, signature seasoning and unmistakable crunch, fans have made Dot's Pretzels a staple of their traditions. To add to this, the new, limited-time Dot's Chipotle Honey gives fans a standout flavor built to shake up the spread with a sweet-and-smoky edge fans won't see coming.
To bring that winning mindset to life, the Dot's brand is teaming up with Rookie Football Star, Caleb Downs, whose own pregame rituals — the routines and small, deliberate choices that get him ready for kickoff — mirror the traditions fans build around every watch party, tailgate and living-room huddle. Whether it's a lucky jersey or a can't-skip pregame ritual, Dot's Pretzels are built to be part of the winning season.
Three Ways to Bring The Flavor to Game Day
Keep It Classic: Dot's Original Pretzels deliver the bold, buttery-rich flavor, signature seasoning and unmistakable crunch that built the game-day traditions fans keep coming back to. Try Something Bold: Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels pairs sweet honey with smoky chipotle heat for an unexpected flavor that raises the stakes on the game-day spread. Flavor Staple: From pregame tailgates to the final drive, Dot's bold flavors amplify the exciting moments fans return to week after week — the true mark of a game-day must-have. "Winning seasons are built with the right ingredients, and so are great game-day spreads," said Natalie Perera, VP of Salty Snacks at The Hershey Company. "What makes Dot's Pretzels different is the bold, buttery-rich flavor, signature seasoning and unmistakable crunch that fans keep coming back to every football season. Dot's Original Pretzels have earned a place at the center of game day, and with limited-time Dot's Chipotle Honey, we're giving fans a sweet and smoky new way to shake up their spread."
"I'm big on having a routine before a game. The preparation, the little things you do the same way every time – it all helps you feel ready when kickoff comes. Fans have those rituals, too, whether it's what they wear, what they watch, or what they have on the table. Dot's Pretzels fits right into that for me, and the new limited-time Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels have quickly become a game-day favorite. That sweet and smoky flavor is a fun change of pace, and it's definitely a snack I've added to my routine," said Caleb Downs, Rookie Football star and Dot's brand partner.
This fall, the Dot's brand is celebrating the ingredients that make every football season memorable – from the preparation and routines that happen before kickoff to the traditions shared with friends and family. With Dot's Original Pretzels at the center of game day and new flavors like limited-time Dot's Chipotle Honey adding to the mix, Dot's Pretzels are ready to be part of the rituals that bring fans together all season long.
FAQs
What is "A Winning Season Tastes Like Dot's"?
"A Winning Season Tastes Like Dot's" is Dot's Pretzels fall football program celebrating the traditions, rituals and game-day moments that bring fans together all season long. At the center of it all, Dot's Original Pretzels are joined this fall by limited-time Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels, giving fans a standout flavor built to shake up the spread. Through creators, football talent and fan experiences, Dot's Pretzels brings the excitement of the season to life.
Why did the Dot's brand partner with Caleb Downs?
The Dot's brand partnered with Rookie Football Star Caleb Downs to bring an authentic football perspective to the program. His focus on preparation, routine and consistency reflects the campaign's idea that winning seasons are built with the right ingredients – an idea that applies just as much to game-day rituals as it does to football.
What are Dot's Original Pretzels?
Dot's Original Pretzels are the brand's signature pretzel, known for their bold, buttery-rich flavor, signature seasoning and unmistakable crunch. As the hero of the Dot's lineup, Dot's Original is a game-day staple made for the traditions and rituals fans return to throughout football season.
What are Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels?
Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels are a limited-time addition to the Dot's lineup, bringing a sweet and smoky twist to the brand's signature pretzel. They're a seasonal option for game day when you're looking to add something unexpected, flavorful and seriously snackable to the table.
How would you describe the flavor of Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels?
Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels combine sweet honey and smoky chipotle heat with Dot's Pretzels signature buttery flavor and satisfying crunch. Each bite delivers just the right mix of sweet, smoky and spicy flavor.
How can fans bring Dot's Pretzels to game day?
There's more than one way to bring the flavor. Fans can keep it classic with Dot's Original, the signature pretzel made for every game-day spread, from kickoff through the final whistle. When you're ready to switch things up, Dot's Chipotle Honey adds a sweet and smoky twist to the lineup. Whether it's part of a pregame spread, watch party or final-drive snack, Dot's Pretzels fits naturally into the rituals that make football season a winning one.
When and where will Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels be available?
Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels are rolling out at retailers nationwide this fall. Availability, package sizes and pricing may vary by retailer.
What occasions are Dot's Pretzels made for?
Dot's Pretzels are made for the moments fans come together. Whether it's a game-day gathering, pregame ritual, watch party or weekend spent cheering on your team, Dot's is entering the mix to the traditions fans look forward to all season long.
Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer.
1 Dot's is the #1 Pretzel brand during the 52-week period ending 12/28/26, according to Circana (Circana WE 12.28.25, Numerator SOV WE 12.29.24, Advanced Shopper Profile)
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is an industry-leading snacks company with a purpose to make more moments of goodness and a vision to lead next generation snacking. Hershey brings together more than 20,000 employees worldwide to deliver delicious, high-quality products across more than 85 brands in approximately 65 countries, generating more than $11.7 billion in annual revenues.
Hershey brings its full portfolio to market as ONE Hershey, spanning confection, salty and functional snacking categories with beloved brands like Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, KIT KAT®, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers; salty snacks including SkinnyPop, LesserEvil, Pirate's Booty and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels; and a protein portfolio including ONE Brands and Fulfil.
For more than 130 years, Hershey has operated fairly, ethically and sustainably. Founder Milton Hershey established Milton Hershey School in 1909, and that legacy of purpose endures today through the company's commitment to helping children succeed through equitable access to education.
Hershey froze its quarterly dividend for five straight cycles, and shareholders who only watched the yield number missed the warning buried in the income statement. Now that the payment is moving again, the real question is whether this resumption signals…
Most Hershey shareholders spent the last two years watching a yield number and missed the more important story hiding behind it. The quarterly dividend stopped growing. From the February 2024 ex-date through the November 2025 ex-date, Hershey (NYSE:HSY | HSY Price Prediction) held its quarterly payment flat at $1.37 per share for five consecutive quarterly cycles. Then, starting with the February 17, 2026 ex-date, the payment stepped up to $1.452 per share, a level that has now held for three consecutive quarters, including the September 15, 2026 payment investors just received.
A freeze differs from a cut, and that distinction matters. But a company that stops growing its dividend is choosing to protect cash, and boards do not do that when everything is running smoothly.
What the Freeze Actually Signaled Hershey’s income statement during the freeze window tells the story the dividend was trying to warn about. Full-year 2025 net income came in at $883.3 million, down sharply from $2.22 billion in 2024. Operating income collapsed to $1.42 billion from $2.90 billion a year earlier. Adjusted EPS fell to $6.31, a decline of roughly 36% to 37%, pressured by record cocoa costs and $160 million to $170 million in tariff expenses.
The single quarter that best captures the squeeze is Q2 2025: net income of just $62.7 million on revenue of $2.61 billion, with operating income compressed to $192.8 million. Against that backdrop, the annual dividend outlay was still climbing: total dividends paid rose to $1.085 billion in 2025 from $1.085 billion in 2024 and $889 million in 2023. Holding the per-share rate flat was how management kept that outlay from swallowing more of a shrinking earnings base.
Why the Resumption Matters More Boards do not restart dividend growth casually. The bump to $1.452 for the February 2026 ex-date, and its persistence through the May and August ex-dates, is a statement about forward cash flow that carries more weight than any management quote.
The 2026 numbers back the confidence. Q1 2026 adjusted EPS came in at $2.35 versus $2.05 estimated on revenue of $3.10 billion, up 10.7% year over year. Q2 2026 followed with adjusted EPS of $1.90 versus $1.43 estimated, revenue of $2.79 billion, up 6.6%, and adjusted gross margin expansion of 350 basis points to 41.6%. Full-year 2026 guidance now calls for adjusted EPS of $8.36 to $8.52, implying 32.5% to 35% growth off the 2025 base.
On the July 30 call, CFO Steve Voskuil said the company has “good visibility into cocoa deflation next year” and that hedging strategies “will allow flexibility to participate in further deflation as the markets normalize.” He also placed the buyback behind organic investment and M&A in the capital allocation order, calling repurchases something that “puts good tension into the process” rather than a top priority. The dividend, notably, did not come up.
Business Behind the Payout Hershey sells chocolate and confectionery under Reese’s, Hershey’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, and Cadbury, plus a fast-growing salty snacks portfolio built through acquisitions including LesserEvil and the DOTS pretzel business. Distribution runs through grocery, mass, convenience, and e-commerce. The North America Confectionery segment is the largest, with North America Salty Snacks the fastest growing.
Scoring the Payout The current yield sits at 3.24%, with an annualized forward rate of $5.808 and a trailing 12-month total of $5.726. Against trailing diluted EPS of $7.28, the payout ratio is elevated but covered. The balance sheet shows $791.2 million in cash against $5.61 billion in total debt at June 30, 2026, with retained earnings of $5.81 billion. Operating cash flow was $2.28 billion in 2025, comfortably above the $1.085 billion dividend outlay even in a bad earnings year.
Grade: B. The yield is solid, coverage held through the worst earnings year in recent memory, and management just signaled forward confidence with a real increase. What keeps it out of A territory is the fact that this dividend already froze once. A payout that stopped growing for five consecutive quarters when cocoa spiked and tariffs hit can do it again if either pressure returns. Income investors buying HSY for reliability should treat the growth streak as reset to a small number rather than a multi-decade record like some peers offer.
What to Watch Next Three signals will determine whether this growth resumption sticks. First, cocoa. Voskuil said management does “not expect cocoa to remain at current levels long term” and cited “historic surpluses” and healthier inventories. If deflation lands as expected in 2027, the next increase gets easier. Second, the salty snacks margin. Management flagged “margin pressure in the snacking business in the back half” and said the business will be “in better shape as we get to 2027.” Third, the declaration cadence. Hershey historically declares its increase with the late-October or early-November board action; the October 29, 2025 declaration was the last at the old rate, and the February 4, 2026 declaration delivered the increase. If the next fall declaration lifts the rate again, the resumption becomes a trend. If it holds at $1.452, the freeze story is still live.
The stock, for context, is down 2.62% year to date and 3.77% over the past year, closing at $173.32 on September 11, well below the analyst target price of $205.52. The market is not yet pricing the resumption as a durable turn. That is the disagreement worth watching.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
In the latest trading session, Hershey (HSY - Free Report) closed at $174.34, marking a +1.25% move from the previous day. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.59%. At the same time, the Dow lost 0.6%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.65%.
The stock of chocolate bar and candy maker has fallen by 6.54% in the past month, lagging the Consumer Staples sector's loss of 2.41% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.37%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Hershey in its upcoming release. In that report, analysts expect Hershey to post earnings of $2.11 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 62.31%. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $3.26 billion, indicating a 2.34% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $8.49 per share and a revenue of $12.29 billion, representing changes of +34.55% and +5.13%, respectively, from the prior year.
It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Hershey. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 0.07% higher. Hershey presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Looking at its valuation, Hershey is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 20.29. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 20.03.
We can also see that HSY currently has a PEG ratio of 1.36. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The average PEG ratio for the Food - Confectionery industry stood at 1.36 at the close of the market yesterday.
The Food - Confectionery industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 224, this industry ranks in the bottom 9% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.
The new campaign steps out in style with LUAR, New York-based fashion brand, proving that chocolate is even better when there's more to share
, /PRNewswire/ -- Cadbury believes life's most memorable moments often begin with a little extra thought, generosity and chocolate. To celebrate the launch of its new "There's Magic in More" campaign, Cadbury is bringing that belief to New York Fashion Week through a collaboration with fashion designer LUAR, debuting a crystal-covered clutch designed to hold and share Cadbury XL Bars. The limited-edition accessory offers a delightfully unexpected first look at the brand's largest U.S. campaign to date, a multi-year platform inspired by the idea that a little more thought, generosity and chocolate can transform everyday moments into something magical.
Cadbury launches its new campaign “There’s Magic in More” with a distinct brand world, The Department of More.
The films, like Cadbury chocolate, showcase the magic of delivering more than what’s expected.
Cadbury launches its new campaign “There’s Magic in More” with a distinct brand world, The Department of More.
The limited-edition Cadbury Clutch, an insulated design by LUAR Founder & Creative Director Raul Lopez, that keeps chocolate cool and makes it easy to share.
The limited-edition Cadbury Clutch, an insulated design by LUAR Founder & Creative Director Raul Lopez, that keeps chocolate cool and makes it easy to share.
The Cadbury Clutch: A Sparkling Take on Generosity
Dressed in the brand's unmistakable jewel-tone purple, the Cadbury Clutch sparkles with gold accents and individually applied Swarovski crystals. Its crystal-covered flap took approximately eight hours to complete, while a concealed platinum-silver insulated interior helps keep Cadbury chocolate cool and ready for an unexpected moment of generosity. Only five clutches have been created, making each one a rare little reminder that sharing chocolate can be every bit as glamorous as it is delicious.
LUAR QUOTE: "Cadbury's focus on quality, detail and generosity mirrors my work," said Raul Lopez, Founder and Creative Director of LUAR. "From the silhouette and color to the hand-applied crystals, every element feels intentional and true to both brands. It is bold and beautifully crafted, but designed to be opened and shared."
Celebrating the Magic in More
The clutch is just the beginning. Through "There's Magic in More," Cadbury is celebrating the delightful difference a little extra can make. A little more thought. A little more generosity. And, naturally, a little more chocolate. For generations, Cadbury has been known for bringing a little more to every bite, from its signature creamy chocolate to generous ingredients crafted for sharing. "There's Magic in More" builds on that heritage, celebrating the idea that the same spirit of generosity found in Cadbury chocolate can inspire meaningful connections every day. Watch the 30-second Department of More hero film HERE.
Consumers will meet the wonderfully dedicated people behind every creamy bite through cinematic storytelling, social experiences and unexpected cultural moments – from ingredient specialists and chocolate makers to those entrusted with the very important responsibility of taste-testing. Together, their stories show how the brand's care, craft and generous spirit can turn an ordinary moment into something magical. The first chapter of "There's Magic in More" invites consumers into the Department of More, a world where thoughtful gestures, generous spirits and a shared piece of chocolate can spark something unexpectedly magical.
A Little More to Discover
Throughout New York Fashion Week, the Cadbury Clutch will travel from the runway to some of the city's most stylish moments, bringing a bit of Cadbury magic along with it. Cadbury, NYLON and LUAR are inviting fashion fans and chocolate lovers, alike, to discover how generosity can show up in unexpected places.
See it on the runway: The Cadbury Clutch will make its runway debut at LUAR's Spring/Summer 2027 New York Fashion Week show on September 14. Cadbury CARAMELLO XL Bars will lead the New York Fashion Week activation, alongside DAIRY MILK XL, DAIRY MILK Fruit & Nut XL, CARAMELLO Sweetly Dark XL and CARAMELLO Miniatures. Spot it throughout Fashion Week: NYLON Editor-in-Chief Lauren McCarthy and content creator Tefi Pessoa will carry the Cadbury Clutch to the LUAR show, NYLON Nights and across New York throughout New York Fashion Week. Pay it forward: Through the Cadbury and NYLON Pay It Forward Sweepstakes, consumers can shine a spotlight on someone who gives a little more and share the story of how they brighten others' lives. Two selected nominees will each receive a custom LUAR-designed Cadbury Clutch, with matching clutches awarded to the people who nominated them — celebrating both the inspiring individuals and the people who make sure their stories are recognized. Enter here. "At Cadbury, we believe the most memorable moments begin with a simple act of generosity, whether that's sharing a piece of chocolate or going the extra mile for someone else," said Eric Newton, Director, Premium Chocolate at The Hershey Company. "The Cadbury Clutch brings that belief to life in a delightfully unexpected way, combining beautiful craftsmanship, delicious chocolate and an irresistible invitation to open it up and share."
FAQs
What is Cadbury doing?
Cadbury is launching "There's Magic in More," its largest U.S. campaign to date and a multi-year platform celebrating how a little more thought, generosity and chocolate can make everyday moments magical.
The platform debuts at New York Fashion Week through a NYLON and LUAR collaboration featuring five limited-edition, insulated Cadbury Clutches designed to keep chocolate cool and ready to share.
What is the Cadbury Clutch?
The Cadbury Clutch is a limited-edition insulated handbag created by Cadbury in partnership with NYLON and LUAR Founder and Creative Director Raul Lopez. Only five clutches were created.
What makes the Cadbury Clutch unique?
The clutch features jewel-tone purple, gold accents, individually applied Swarovski crystals and a platinum silver insulated interior designed to keep Cadbury Chocolate cool.
Which Cadbury products will be featured alongside the clutch?
Cadbury CARAMELLO XL Bars, DAIRY MILK XL, DAIRY MILK Fruit & Nut XL, CARAMELLO Sweetly Dark XL and CARAMELLO Miniatures.
Where will the Cadbury Clutch appear during New York Fashion Week?
It will debut at LUAR's Spring/Summer 2027 show on September 14, with an additional appearance alongside NYLON Editor-in-Chief Lauren McCarthy and creator Tefi Pessoa at NYLON Nights on September 11.
Can consumers purchase the Cadbury Clutch?
No. The clutch will not be sold.
How can consumers get involved?
Consumers can participate through the Pay It Forward Sweepstakes by nominating someone who embodies generosity, with two selected nominees and their nominators receiving matching custom Cadbury Clutches. Entry, eligibility and timing details can be found here.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is an industry-leading snacks company with a purpose to make more moments of goodness and a vision to lead next generation snacking. Hershey brings together more than 20,000 employees worldwide to deliver delicious, high-quality products across more than 85 brands in approximately 65 countries, generating more than $11.7 billion in annual revenues.
Hershey brings its full portfolio to market as ONE Hershey, spanning confection, salty and functional snacking categories with beloved brands like Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, KIT KAT®, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers; salty snacks including SkinnyPop, LesserEvil, Pirate's Booty and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels; and a protein portfolio including ONE Brands and Fulfil.
For more than 130 years, Hershey has operated fairly, ethically and sustainably. Founder Milton Hershey established Milton Hershey School in 1909, and that legacy of purpose endures today through the company's commitment to helping children succeed through equitable access to education.
Key Takeaways Hershey's salty snacks sales rose 22.9% in Q2, but supply constraints limited organic growth. Retail takeaway climbed 6.5%, led by Dot's, Reese's Filled Pretzels and variety multipacks.Automation is helping operations, with added capacity and a more optimized network expected in 2027. The Hershey Company (HSY - Free Report) is seeing solid demand across its North America Salty Snacks portfolio, but supply constraints limited its ability to fully convert that demand into sales in the second quarter of 2026. The pressure was most evident in multipacks and Dot’s pretzels, where strong consumer interest outpaced available supply.
U.S. salty snacks retail takeaway, excluding LesserEvil, increased 6.5% during the 12 weeks ended June 28, 2026, led by Dot’s, Reese’s Filled Pretzels and variety multipacks. However, organic constant-currency net sales jumped only 0.6% in the quarter, as supply limitations and the planned reduction in private-label sales caused sales growth to trail retail takeaway.
North America Salty Snacks net sales rose 22.9% year over year to $387.8 million in the second quarter. The LesserEvil acquisition contributed approximately 22 percentage points to the increase. Organic constant-currency volume grew about 4%, but came in below expectations as innovation and velocity gains were partly offset by execution challenges involving multipacks and Dot’s pretzels. Net price realization was an approximately 3-point headwind due to higher trade investment in new item launches.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Hershey has increased investment in automation and capacity to address these constraints. Automation is beginning to help operations, while additional capacity is expected to come online in 2027. The company indicated that the growing pains around Dot’s are largely behind it. Still, the supply chain is not fully optimized, and elevated freight and logistics costs are expected to persist as Hershey uses spot freight to maintain service.
The key issue now is how quickly supply execution improves against strong retail demand. Hershey expects modest margin improvement in Salty Snacks during the second half as it captures demand and optimizes the supply chain. A more fully optimized network is expected in 2027, making capacity ramp-up and logistics normalization key factors to watch as the segment works to better align shipments with consumer demand.
The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has dipped 1.9% over the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 2.1%.
Stocks to ConsiderThe Vita Coco Company, Inc. (COCO - Free Report) , a leading beverage company that develops, markets and distributes coconut water and other plant-based beverages, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). COCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.9%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Vita Coco Company’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share (EPS) calls for growth of 31.6% and 64.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Darling Ingredients Inc. (DAR - Free Report) , a global developer and producer of sustainable natural ingredients derived from edible and inedible bio-nutrients, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Darling’s current fiscal-year sales suggests an 11.5% jump from the prior-year levels. The consensus estimate for current fiscal-year EPS stands at $6.98, which implies a substantial improvement from the year-ago period. DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 38.9%, on average.
Laird Superfood, Inc. (LSF - Free Report) is a consumer product company that develops, manufactures and markets plant-based, natural and functional food and beverage products. LSF currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Laird Superfood’s current fiscal-year sales and EPS suggests growth of 188.2% and 104 %, respectively, from the year-ago figures. LSF delivered an earnings surprise of 100% in the last reported quarter.
I upgrade The Hershey Company to Buy as its valuation now offers a more attractive risk-reward amid macro uncertainty. HSY delivered a strong Q2, beat estimates, raised guidance, and maintained a robust balance sheet with manageable long-term debt. Despite cocoa price spikes and consumer weakness, HSY's portfolio is positioned for evolving health trends and resilient snacking demand.
Allianz Asset Management GmbH lowered its holdings in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY – Free Report) by 72.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 21,020 shares of the company’s stock after selling 55,711 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH’s holdings in Hershey were worth $3,688,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its position in shares of Hershey by 6.5% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 15,310 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,618,000 after buying an additional 937 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Hershey by 20.2% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 697 shares of the company’s stock valued at $116,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the period. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL purchased a new position in Hershey during the second quarter valued at approximately $267,000. Bank of Nova Scotia grew its stake in Hershey by 4.5% during the second quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 17,927 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,975,000 after acquiring an additional 769 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its holdings in Hershey by 5.4% during the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 22,247 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,692,000 after acquiring an additional 1,149 shares during the period. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have issued reports on HSY shares. Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $185.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 20th. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of Hershey from $249.00 to $200.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a $191.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Weiss Ratings raised Hershey from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on Hershey from $190.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and sixteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $204.78.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Hershey Hershey Price Performance HSY stock opened at $173.25 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $178.76 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $191.86. The stock has a market cap of $34.81 billion, a PE ratio of 23.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.11. Hershey Company has a one year low of $161.43 and a one year high of $239.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.66.
Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $2.79 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.63 billion. Hershey had a net margin of 12.24% and a return on equity of 31.92%. The firm’s revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.21 EPS. Hershey has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.360-8.520 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Hershey Company will post 8.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Hershey Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 14th will be issued a $1.452 dividend. This represents a $5.81 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is presently 79.37%.
Insider Activity at Hershey In other news, CFO Steven Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $255,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 53,195 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,043,150. This represents a 2.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.
Hershey Profile (Free Report)
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is a leading North American chocolatier and snack manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The company develops, produces and markets a wide range of confectionery and snack products for retail, foodservice and international customers. Hershey’s business spans manufacturing, branded product marketing, packaging and distribution across grocery, convenience, mass merchant and e-commerce channels.
Hershey’s product portfolio centers on chocolate and sugar confectionery, including core brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses and Twizzlers, alongside non-chocolate snacks and confectionery brands.
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Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its holdings in Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY – Free Report) by 7.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 356,753 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 25,911 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned approximately 0.18% of Hershey worth $62,664,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Bard Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Reflection Asset Management acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the second quarter worth about $26,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of Hershey during the first quarter worth about $27,000. 57.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Insider Buying and Selling at Hershey In related news, CFO Steven Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $255,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 53,195 shares in the company, valued at $9,043,150. The trade was a 2.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.08% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.
Hershey Stock Up 0.1% Shares of Hershey stock opened at $173.26 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $178.80 and its 200 day moving average is $192.20. Hershey Company has a one year low of $161.43 and a one year high of $239.48. The firm has a market cap of $34.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.67, a PEG ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.66. Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.47. Hershey had a return on equity of 31.92% and a net margin of 12.24%.The business had revenue of $2.79 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.63 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.21 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Hershey has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.360-8.520 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Hershey Company will post 8.49 EPS for the current year.
Hershey Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 14th will be paid a $1.452 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $5.81 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Hershey’s payout ratio is currently 79.37%.
Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded Hershey from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group set a $190.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on shares of Hershey from $215.00 to $180.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Hershey in a research note on Tuesday, September 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Hershey from $191.00 to $193.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and sixteen have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hershey currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $204.78.
View Our Latest Report on HSY
About Hershey (Free Report)
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is a leading North American chocolatier and snack manufacturer headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The company develops, produces and markets a wide range of confectionery and snack products for retail, foodservice and international customers. Hershey’s business spans manufacturing, branded product marketing, packaging and distribution across grocery, convenience, mass merchant and e-commerce channels.
Hershey’s product portfolio centers on chocolate and sugar confectionery, including core brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses and Twizzlers, alongside non-chocolate snacks and confectionery brands.
See Also Five stocks we like better than Hershey 3 Under-the-Radar Defense Stocks With Record Backlogs This Korea ETF Has Soared, But the Rally May Not Be Over Why Guidewire’s Post-Earnings Plunge May Not Last Ride-Share Reckoning: Tesla Drives Into Uber’s Lane Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HSY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY – Free Report).
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In the latest close session, Hershey (HSY - Free Report) was down 1.09% at $173.15. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.38%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.51%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.29%.
The chocolate bar and candy maker's shares have seen a decrease of 4.35% over the last month, not keeping up with the Consumer Staples sector's gain of 0.5% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.08%.
Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Hershey in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $2.11, reflecting a 62.31% increase from the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $3.26 billion, up 2.34% from the year-ago period.
In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $8.49 per share and a revenue of $12.29 billion, indicating changes of +34.55% and +5.13%, respectively, from the former year.
It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Hershey. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.07% higher. At present, Hershey boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Looking at its valuation, Hershey is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 20.63. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 20.57, which means Hershey is trading at a premium to the group.
Investors should also note that HSY has a PEG ratio of 1.38 right now. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. HSY's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.38 as of yesterday's close.
The Food - Confectionery industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 98, this industry ranks in the top 40% of all industries, numbering over 250.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.
Hulays Succeeds Steve Voskuil, Who Will Support Strategic Priorities and the Leadership Transition Through Early 2027
, /PRNewswire/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced that Dave Hulays has been named Chief Financial Officer, effective September 2, 2026, succeeding Steve Voskuil. Hulays, who most recently served as Senior Vice President, Finance, brings nearly 30 years of financial leadership experience at Hershey and Procter & Gamble to the role.
Dave Hulays. Chief Financial Officer, The Hershey Company Since joining Hershey in 2012 as VP Finance, Canada, Hulays has taken on progressively broader financial leadership responsibilities across the company, including the U.S. and International businesses, Global Supply Chain, the Growth Office, M&A, Corporate FP&A and Finance Strategy, Global Tax & Treasury, and Enterprise Transformation. Before joining Hershey, he spent 15 years at Procter & Gamble (P&G) in roles spanning Commercial, Supply Chain, Strategy and FP&A, Global Business Development, and Global Business Services across P&G's North American and International businesses.
Voskuil, who has led Hershey's finance organization for the past seven years, announced his intent to retire in early 2027. He will move into the role of SVP, Strategic Projects, focused on initiatives for the CEO and Board while ensuring a seamless transition with Hulays.
"Dave is a proven, enterprise-minded finance leader who has helped shape nearly every corner of this business, from our commercial and supply chain organizations to our growth agenda," said Kirk Tanner, President and CEO, The Hershey Company. "He leads with rigor, accountability and courage. I'm confident he's the right person to lead our finance organization into its next chapter. I also want to thank Steve for his leadership over the past seven years. He has been an incredible partner to me and to this company, and his continued partnership will support some of our most important priorities as we move through this transition."
"I'm proud and honored to serve as Hershey's next Chief Financial Officer," said Hulays. "Working alongside Steve over the years has been a privilege, and his mentorship has played an important role in preparing for this transition. Together, we've built a strong foundation, and I'm looking forward to driving our next generation of growth."
Hulays holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Business Administration from York University's Schulich School of Business in Toronto, Canada. He and his wife, Angela, live in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with their two sons, Owen and Max.
Hershey (HSY.N) on Wednesday named insider and industry veteran Dave Hulays as its finance chief, as the Reese's chocolates maker navigates a tough macroeconomic environment while benefiting from robust demand and higher prices.
Hulays, who joined Hershey in 2012, takes charge from Steve Voskuil with immediate effect.
Here are some details:
Hulays, age 54, joined Hershey as VP Finance of Canada and since has taken broader financial leadership responsibilities across the company, including the U.S. and International businesses.
Before joining Hershey, Hulays spent nearly 15 years at Procter & Gamble (PG.N) in a range of commercial, supply chain and global business development roles.
The company said outgoing-CFO Voskuil, who has led Hershey's finance organization for the past seven years, will move into the role of SVP, Strategic Projects, focused on initiatives for the CEO and board. Voskuil also announced his intent to retire in early 2027.
Hershey, which beat second-quarter sales and profit estimates in July, has added more salty snacks such as popcorn, cheese puffs and pretzels to its Halloween range to attract health-conscious consumers.
Key Takeaways Hershey's Q2 organic sales rose 3.6% as 12% price realization offset an 8% volume decline. North America Confectionery sales gained 4.2% on 14% pricing, while volume fell about 10%. Hershey expects better core-item availability and more demand creation to support second-half performance. The Hershey Company (HSY - Free Report) continues to generate sales growth through pricing, even as higher price realization weighs on volumes. The second-quarter 2026 performance highlighted this tradeoff, with pricing supporting organic sales, while elasticity remained a drag on unit demand.
In the second quarter, Hershey recorded net price realization of approximately 12%, while organic constant-currency net sales increased 3.6%. Volume declined approximately 8%, primarily reflecting elasticity impacts in North America Confectionery and International, partly offset by growth in North America Salty Snacks.
The pricing-volume dynamic was particularly evident in North America Confectionery. Segment net sales increased 4.2%, aided by approximately 14% net price realization. Volume declined about 10%, reflecting elasticity and shipment timing dynamics, partly offset by retailer inventory replenishment. Elasticities increased slightly in the second quarter, though they remained slightly better than Hershey’s full-year expectations. This came as U.S. consumers remained value-oriented and selective in their spending.
International showed a similar pattern. Net price realization was around 10%, while volume declined approximately 8%. The decrease reflected elasticity and the depletion of inventory shipped in the first quarter to mitigate geopolitical risk, partly offset by stronger-than-planned performance in Brazil and the UK.
Heading into the second half, Hershey expects improved core-item availability and increased demand-creation activity to support performance. The pricing-volume balance remains important, with the pace of elasticity likely to influence how effectively pricing translates into organic sales growth.
HSY Stock Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have dipped 5.3% over the past year compared with the industry’s decline of 6.2%.
HSY Price Performance Versus Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, HSY trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.71, above the industry’s average of 15.43.
HSY Valuation Compared to Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HSY’s current and next fiscal year earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 34.6% and 16.1%, respectively.
Better-Ranked Stocks to ConsiderThe Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) is a distributor of specialty food and center-of-the-plate products across the United States, Canada and the Middle East. CHEF currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Chefs' Warehouse’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share (EPS) implies growth of 10.6% and 33.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.
The Vita Coco Company, Inc. (COCO - Free Report) , a leading beverage company that develops, markets and distributes coconut water and other plant-based beverages, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. COCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.9%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Vita Coco Company’s current fiscal-year sales and EPS calls for growth of 31.6% and 64.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Darling Ingredients Inc. (DAR - Free Report) , a global developer and producer of sustainable natural ingredients derived from edible and inedible bio-nutrients, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Darling’s current fiscal-year sales suggests an 11.5% jump from the prior-year levels. The consensus estimate for current fiscal-year EPS stands at $6.98, which implies a substantial improvement from the year-ago period. DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 38.9%, on average.
The new chocolate bar launches with Salted Caramel and Affogato flavors
, /PRNewswire/ -- Hershey's announces the launch of Hershey's Creme Bars, a new chocolate bar available in two flavor-forward varieties: Salted Caramel and Affogato. Made with smooth milk chocolate and rich creme fillings, the new bar puts a delicious twist on the Hershey's chocolate experience fans already know and love.
Hershey's partner and global girl group KATSEYE reimagines iconic "Pinky Up" gesture with new Creme Bars in Salted Caramel and Affogato flavors.
New Hershey's Creme Bar in Salted Caramel flavor.
New Hershey's Creme Bar in Affogato flavor.
Hershey's partner and global girl group KATSEYE putting their "Pinky Up" with new Creme Bars.
To celebrate the launch, Hershey's is teaming up with global girl group KATSEYE for a new campaign that gives the group's signature "Pinky Up" gesture with a Hershey's twist. The commercial ad encourages consumers to turn the simple act of choosing a chocolate bar into an expression of individuality. Fans can watch the campaign spot on YouTube HERE.
Elevating Everyday Moments with KATSEYE
To introduce the new Creme Bars, KATSEYE is bringing their iconic "Pinky Up" gesture to introduce the new Hershey's bars worth trying and talking about. The campaign is rooted in the discovery of the new Salted Caramel and Affogato flavors – encouraging people to try something new, share the experience with friends, and celebrate the excitement of the KATSEYE partnership. Together, Hershey's and KATSEYE recognize a generation of people who express themselves through personal style, community and everyday moments that spark happiness. "We've teamed up with Hershey's to always find joy in the little moments, whether we're traveling, rehearsing, or spending time together," said KATSEYE. "We love that Hershey's Creme Bars make those moments feel a little more fun. The partnership felt natural because it's about celebrating your individuality, embracing your own style, and finding happiness in the things that make you feel most like yourself."
Your Happy Place Just Got a Little Sweeter
Hershey's Creme Bars build on the brand's "Hershey's. It's Your Happy Place" platform by bringing a fresh flavor experience to the moments people already enjoy, from an on-the-go treat to something new to share with friends.
Fans will have opportunities to try the bars through sampling and pop-up experiences later this fall. Hershey's is also partnering with Uber around select cultural moments, helping consumers discover Hershey's Creme Bars while they are out, on the move and making plans with friends.
"This Hershey's Creme Bar launch is more than introducing a new chocolate bar. It's about celebrating the small choices that help people express themselves and create moments of happiness throughout their day," said Katrina Vatter, Senior Brand Manager, The Hershey Company. "From the trend-forward flavors to our partnership with KATSEYE, Hershey's Creme Bars were designed to inspire discovery, self-expression, and shareable moments that feel uniquely your own."
FAQs
What flavors are available?
The newest flavors are Salted Caramel and Affogato, both available in 2.2 oz standard bars and an 8.4 oz snack size pouch.
Salted Caramel combines a rich caramel flavor with balanced sweetness and a creamy, melty bite that's easy to love.
Affogato delivers a fun coffeehouse-inspired twist with a dual-layer filling featuring espresso-flavored caramel and sweet vanilla creme, creating a flavor experience that's both familiar and unexpected.
What makes Hershey's Creme Bars different from other Hershey's chocolate bars?
Hershey's Creme Bars offer a fresh take on chocolate with trend-forward flavors and distinctive fillings designed for consumers who love discovering what comes next. Available in Salted Caramel and Affogato, the bars deliver share-worthy flavor experiences that bring a little extra happiness to everyday moments.
Who is KATSEYE and what is the "Pinky Up" gesture?
KATSEYE is a multi Grammy-nominated global girl group known for their confidence, individuality, and trend-setting style. The "Pinky Up" gesture, recognized by fans worldwide, is a playful expression of choosing happiness for yourself.
How did the collaboration between Hershey's and KATSEYE come together?
The connection was immediate. KATSEYE's bold self-expression, growing cultural influence, and devoted fan community made them a natural fit for Hershey's Creme Bars. Together, the partnership celebrates choosing happiness, embracing individuality, and encouraging consumers to confidently express themselves in their own unique way.
When and where are the Hershey's Creme Bars available?
Hershey's Creme Bars are available now at participating retailers.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company is an industry-leading snacks company with a purpose to make more moments of goodness and a vision to lead next generation snacking. Hershey brings together more than 20,000 employees worldwide to deliver delicious, high-quality products across more than 85 brands in approximately 65 countries, generating more than $11.7 billion in annual revenues.
Hershey brings its full portfolio to market as ONE Hershey, spanning confection, salty and functional snacking categories with beloved brands like Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, KIT KAT®, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers; salty snacks including SkinnyPop, LesserEvil, Pirate's Booty and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels; and a protein portfolio including ONE Brands and Fulfil.
For more than 130 years, Hershey has operated fairly, ethically and sustainably. Founder Milton Hershey established Milton Hershey School in 1909, and that legacy of purpose endures today through the company's commitment to helping children succeed through equitable access to education.
The commodity is critically important to its operations.
*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Aug. 29, 2026. The video was published on Aug. 31, 2026.
Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Hershey. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
