Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Posted by Defense World Staff on Jul 25th, 2026

Assetmark Inc. reduced its position in shares of Hershey Company (The) (NYSE:HSY – Free Report) by 60.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,396 shares of the company’s stock after selling 9,955 shares during the quarter. Assetmark Inc.’s holdings in Hershey were worth $1,330,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Hershey in the third quarter worth about $26,000. Reflection Asset Management purchased a new position in Hershey in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Bard Associates Inc. purchased a new position in Hershey during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Hershey by 123.0% in the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 165 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. 57.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity In related news, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $173.43, for a total value of $260,145.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 54,695 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,485,753.85. The trade was a 2.67% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Hershey from $212.00 to $200.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 30th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $190.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Evercore set a $225.00 price objective on shares of Hershey in a research report on Thursday. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Hershey from $220.00 to $200.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group set a $240.00 target price on Hershey in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and sixteen have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Hershey currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $208.28.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on Hershey

Hershey Stock Performance Shares of NYSE HSY opened at $174.43 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $35.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.07 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 business’s 50 day moving average is $180.34 and its two-hundred day moving average is $196.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $2.35 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.04 by $0.31. Hershey had a return on equity of 28.98% and a net margin of 9.12%.The firm had revenue of $3.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.03 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.09 earnings per share. Hershey’s quarterly revenue was up 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Hershey Company will post 8.42 EPS for the current year.

Hershey Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th were issued a $1.452 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 15th. This represents a $5.81 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 108.19%.

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.

Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than Hershey AMD and Cerbras Create A New Blueprint For Hardware Intel Earnings Reveal Whether the Chip Selloff Created a Buy CrowdStrike’s Cerebras Deal Puts Its AI Security Strategy to the Test Plugging In: How Kinder Morgan Powers Up Profits 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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Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Hershey (HSY - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 30. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis chocolate bar and candy maker is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.45 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +19.8%.

Revenues are expected to be $2.65 billion, up 1.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.09% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. 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.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Hershey?For Hershey, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -3.42%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Hershey will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Hershey would post earnings of $2.05 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.35, delivering a surprise of +14.63%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Hershey doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

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Hershey is leaning into the "trunk or treat" trend, which often takes place long before Halloween. Hershey Stacy Taffet, Hershey's chief growth and marketing officer, has already entered her spooky season.

The Reese's and Jolly Rancher parent is conjuring up a new Halloween playbook, carving the holiday into distinct micro-seasons that start months before October 31, Taffet exclusively told CMO Insider.

A Morning Consult survey commissioned by Hershey in July found that 67% of US parents had bought Halloween candy or snacks during the summer in recent years. Almost half (49%) of parents polled were familiar with the term "Summerween."

With consumers celebrating Halloween early, CMOs face a challenge in building excitement without peaking too soon.

Taffet said Hershey has shifted from treating Halloween as "one long extended season" to a more occasion-led approach, with different brands and products promoted at different points.

Summer is about cueing the season with Reese's assorted Halloween shapes and marketing that centers on rituals like pumpkin carving and fall lattes.

"We'll use more parts of the portfolio that are either for individual consumption or for sharing in small groups as a way to say, 'Let's get excited, the season's coming,'" Taffet said.

As fall approaches, Hershey plans to lean into the "trunk or treating" trend, where families gather in parking lots for children to collect candy from car trunks.

When October nears, activity will ramp up, including a partnership with Amazon to deliver ready-to-go large trick-or-treat bowls and a bigger push for non-chocolate brands, such as its Pirate's Booty salty snacks.

Halloween is a high-stakes moment for Hershey. Last year, Hershey CEO Kirk Tanner said its Halloween sales performance had been disappointing, citing warmer weather among other factors. Retailers were also discounting candy at the time, following price hikes driven by higher cocoa prices.

Tanner said on last October's earnings call that there were opportunities to "go to school" on consumer insights to improve for Halloween 2026, such as evaluating new pack types, price points, and the product mix.

Behind the scenes, Taffet, who joined the company in April 2025, has been reconfiguring her department to handle moments like these.

"The biggest thing I've been focused on is really breaking down functional silos," so the company can more quickly react to consumer trends, Taffet said.

Within the growth office, the marketing, insights, innovation, and research and development teams now function together.

Hershey recently introduced a new marketing mix model — a method that determines the impact of individual marketing channels on sales — enabled by AI.

Taffet said AI and automation tools are making it easier for Hershey to flag celebrities and influencers who are already talking about its brands and reach out about potential partnerships. It has also deployed AI tools to its retail sales force to strengthen merchandising.

"Our retail team will go to a store manager and, using an augmented reality tool and analytics powered by AI, say, 'If you put the KitKat display over here by the checkout, your sales are going to go up by X%,'" Taffet said.

Taffet said Hershey is also aware that many people are financially stretched, and is introducing new product formats at lower prices.

"If they only have $20 to spend on getting their kid excited about Halloween, it could be a costume, it could be decorations, it could be Reese's Shapes, and we want to make sure that we're top of mind to delight people in that season," she said.

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Lara O'Reilly You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email.

Lara O'Reilly is the anchor of the CMO Insider newsletter.She is a senior correspondent who has covered the digital advertising, marketing, and media industries since 2010. Her current beat includes big tech companies like Alphabet, and Meta, and adtech firms, agencies,  publishers, the creator economy, and CMOs.Lara has previously worked as a reporter and executive producer at titles including The Wall Street Journal, Digiday, Yahoo Finance, and Marketing Week. She was previously Business Insider's senior global advertising editor from 2014 to 2017.Lara was named "Digital Journalist of the Year" by the London Press Club in 2016.Lara is a regular guest on TV and radio and has appeared on outlets such as the BBC, NPR, SiriusXM's Wharton Business Daily, and CTV Television Network. She also frequently speaks on stage at major events such as Web Summit, IFA, VivaTech, Advertising Week, and Cannes Lions.To get in touch with Lara O'Reilly, email [email protected] or contact her on Signal at @loreilly.71Check out Insider's source guide for tips on sharing information securely.Read some of Lara's recent work below:

Inside Amazon's plan to clobber rivals The Trade Desk and Google in a key area of advertisingMeet Cindy Rose, the former lawyer and top Microsoft exec set to become CEO of ad giant WPPHow X CEO Linda Yaccarino went from Elon Musk's fixer to out of a job in 2 yearsInside the political reckoning shaking up the ad industryMeet the 'reclusive' tech billionaire making an audacious bid to buy TikTokTop marketers are under a ton of pressure. They told me how they're trying to make themselves recession-proof.Big Tech workers got too used to perks. The pampering is over. Halloween

The Milton Hershey School, an entity insider of The Hershey Company (HSY 1.89%), executed sales of 30,000 shares of common stock on July 13, 2026, and July 14, 2026. SEC Form 4 filing

Transaction summaryMetricValueTransaction value~$5.2 millionShares sold (directly held)30,000Post-transaction shares1,265,749Post-transaction shares (directly held)1,226,119Post-transaction shares (indirectly held)39,630Post-transaction value~$215.5 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($172.53); post-transaction value based on July 15, 2026, market close ($170.27).

Key questionsWhat was the execution price range for these transactions?
The sale was conducted in multiple tranches, with weighted-average prices ranging from $169.44 to $177.64 per share over the two days.What is the scale of the entity's total beneficial ownership?
Beyond its ~1.3 million common shares, the firm holds ~54.6 million shares of Class B common stock, which are convertible share-for-share into common stock at any time.How has the stock performed leading up to this transaction?
As of the transaction date, the company has delivered a total return of 5% over the past year.What is the relationship between the reporting entities?
The Milton Hershey School Trust wholly owns Hershey Trust Company and serves as the trustee for the school trust, managing its significant stake in the confectioner.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-07-17)$171.42Market Capitalization$34.5 billionRevenue (TTM)$12.0 billionNet Income (TTM)$1.1 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 encompassing manufacturing, distribution, and retail sales of branded consumer packaged goods across domestic and international markets.Hershey's customer base includes retail channels, foodservice operators, and consumers across North America and select international markets, with particular strength in premium confectionery and salty snacks.The Hershey Company is a leading global manufacturer of confectionery and salty snack products with a market capitalization of $34.5 billion and TTM revenues of $12.0 billion. The company leverages its iconic brand portfolio and established distribution infrastructure to maintain competitive positioning within the consumer defensive sector, serving diverse customer segments through strategically organized regional and product-focused business divisions.

What this transaction means for investorsThe Milton Hershey School Trust’s recent sales are standard transactions for the unique entity and shouldn’t sway investors. The Milton Hershey School is a private, free-tuition K-12 school founded by Milton Hershey, the founder of The Hershey Company. These transactions are more business-like than anything.

From a stock perspective, Hershey has been somewhat disappointing over the last five years, generating total returns of 1.5% annually as it battled soaring cocoa prices, the uptake of GLP-1 medicines, inflation, and a broader shift toward healthier eating options. Hershey is a core position in my daughter’s portfolio as it is an easy-to-recognize brand to help learn about investing, but we may start looking for something with more growth potential.

That said, Hershey only trades at 20 times forward earnings and offers a steadily growing dividend that currently yields 3.4%, so its stability could serve as a decent cornerstone stock for a conservative portfolio. The company just grew sales by 11% in its latest quarter and expects revenue to rise 4.5% in 2026, so it may be returning to its more steady-Eddie ways, rather than the pricing-induced volatility it recently saw. As it continues to expand into higher-growth areas such as nutritional bars and new international markets, HSY stock could rebound over the next five years.

Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY, XETRA:HSY) is expected to begin recovering margins in the second quarter as higher-cost cocoa inventory from last year cycles through, but Jefferies maintained a ‘Hold’ rating, citing continued weakness in consumer demand and limited evidence of a recovery in sales volumes.

Jefferies wrote that the second quarter "should be the first with meaningful year-over-year gross margin expansion," forecasting roughly 300 basis points of improvement as peak-cost inventory laps.

While cocoa prices have risen from February lows in recent weeks, the firm noted they remain well below year-ago levels and are unlikely to disrupt the near-term margin outlook because much of the company's cocoa exposure is hedged.

The firm expects shipment timing to weigh on reported results after around two percentage points of sales were pulled forward into the first quarter. As a result, it forecasts a modest decline in second-quarter organic sales despite continued pricing strength.

Jefferies expects pricing to contribute around 11 percentage points of growth in the quarter, more than offset by lower volumes. It forecasts Hershey's volumes to decline about 12% in the second quarter, noting that U.S. tracked chocolate dollar sales fell roughly 4% over the latest 12 weeks while chocolate volumes dropped nearly 19% amid continued consumer sensitivity to higher prices.

The analysts noted that competitor Mars has posted volume gains in four of the past six months, while Hershey plans to respond with increased product innovation. The company's salty snacks business, including LesserEvil and Dot's, is also expected to provide some support.

Looking to the second half of the year, Jefferies expects new marketing campaigns and product launches to support performance, including the America 250 program, a Thanksgiving film promotion, and new Reese's products. However, the firm wrote that it views 2027 as "a measured recovery rather than a snapback."

Jefferies slightly lowered its second-quarter revenue estimate to reflect softer tracked demand while leaving its full-year earnings forecast unchanged.

The firm increased its price target to $190, implying upside from current levels of $175, stating that it remains cautious "given the unresolved volume question and a valuation that already reflects the improved cost backdrop."

HomeDividends AnalysisDividend IdeasConsumer Staples Analysis

SummaryHershey now offers an attractive risk-reward profile after a period of underperformance and carries a 3.3% yield.HSY is demonstrating net sales growth and gross margin recovery, driven by pricing and supply chain productivity.Management guides for acceleration in H2 2026, with innovation and expansion into premium chocolate and protein as key growth drivers.I view HSY as a cautious 'Buy' at a forward P/E of 20.6, below its historical average, offering an appealing long-term entry for investors.Looking for a portfolio of ideas like this one? Members of iREIT®+HOYA Capital get exclusive access to our subscriber-only portfolios. Learn More » Say-Cheese/iStock via Getty Images

It pays to be patient, especially when it comes to waiting for the right price on quality stocks. That’s because the market can get complacent and overvalue stocks for periods of time. Such was the case with Hershey (HSY

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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.

HERSHEY, Pa., July 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) announced today that it will release its second-quarter sales and earnings results on Thursday, July 30, 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

SOURCE The Hershey Company

Hershey Today

$179.81 +4.36 (+2.49%)

As of 02:06 PM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$160.07▼

$239.48Dividend Yield3.23%

P/E Ratio33.51

Price Target$217.50

After a sweet run-up in its stock back in February, Hershey NYSE: HSY is now trading 3.8% below its year-start price.

But while the share price is lingering, the company’s picture has changed. Having overcome soaring cocoa costs with remarkable pricing power, easing commodity pressures, and the proven strength of its brands, the company is positioning itself for a potential margin recovery.

Get Hershey alerts:

Most analysts rate it a Hold, with a 20% upside, as a balance of pricing and demand continues. Yet with a proven loyalty from customers and an alignment of new products, the company appears well-positioned if the market follows current trends.

Hershey's Pricing Power Is Paying OffWhat hurt the company recently was a well-known event. Cocoa prices surged to historic highs in late 2024 and 2025, squeezing the margins of every chocolate maker in the world. Hershey saw its net income drop from $797 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 to $224 million the next three months in 2025 and to $63 million the quarter after that.

For Hershey, which generated annual sales of $11.7 billion last year and holds a market capitalization of around $36 billion, the shock also arrived at an awkward moment. The company was already pursuing a broader portfolio reorganization. It was pushing harder into salty snacks, including Dot's Homestyle Pretzels. LesserEvil, and SkinnyPop, as well as protein products, such as Fulfil bars in North America.

Sales and Earnings Rebound Despite Higher CostsWhen cocoa prices soared, the story for Hershey shifted from long-term growth to short-term damage control. As a result, the company leaned into its pricing power. By the end of last year, organic price realization, or the benefit from price increases, rose 6% in the fourth quarter of 2025, then accelerated to 10% in the first quarter of 2026. Consumers might have grumbled, but they kept buying.

The first-quarter 2026 results told the broader story. Consolidated net sales reached $3.1 billion, up 10.6% from $2.8 billion a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $2.35, an increase of 12.4%, and well above analyst estimates, compared with $2.09 in the prior-year period. Reported net income was $435 million, or $2.13 per share, from $1.10 a year earlier.

Operating results were also sharply higher. The first quarter’s reported operating profit rose 73.5% to $640.7 million, while the profit margin hit 20.6%, up 7.4 points from last year. The company said an increase in sales and prices helped offset higher commodity and tariff-related costs.

Looking ahead, management reaffirmed its full-year guidance of 4% to 5% net sales growth and 30% to 35% adjusted earnings per share (EPS) growth. The full-year adjusted EPS is projected to come in the range of $8.20 to $8.52 compared with $6.31 in 2025.

Lower Cocoa Prices Could Boost MarginsThe success of its salty snacks was evident in North America, which reported $2.5 billion in net sales. That segment recorded an acquisition-led 26% year-over-year increase, while North American confectionery products recorded an 8.3% increase.

The cost picture is improving, but not resolved. In the previous quarter, the gross margin fell 17 percentage points to 37% as cocoa prices remained high. Even in the first three months of 2026, adjusted gross margin rose to 40.4%, but was still down 80 basis points year over year due to elevated commodity and tariff-related costs.

The encouraging development is that cocoa prices have fallen dramatically from their late-2024 and early-2025 highs, which were well above $10,000 per metric ton. Having fallen below $4,000 earlier this year, the commodity is currently trading at nearly $5,000.

ONE Hershey Aims to Drive Long-Term GrowthBeyond cocoa, the company is making other structural moves.

In March, the company announced the unification of its sweet, salty, and protein brand portfolios under an integrated operating model called ONE Hershey. The company hopes that by having its products under a single umbrella, it can more effectively align strategy, cross-selling, brand messaging, in-store performance, and innovation.

The initiative also comes at a time of top management changes. A new president and CEO took over last August, and more recently, a new president of U.S. operations was appointed to oversee the integrated businesses.

Analysts See Upside But Remain CautiousOverall MarketRank™97th Percentile

Analyst RatingHold

Upside/Downside21.7% Upside

Short Interest LevelHealthy

Dividend StrengthStrong

News Sentiment0.79 Insider TradingSelling Shares

Proj. Earnings Growth17.04%

See Full Analysis

The financial picture around the stock reflects the tension between the business quality and the cost environment.

Over the past 52 weeks, Hershey has traded between $160 to nearly $240 per share. At current levels around $175 per share, its price/earnings ratio of over 33 is not cheap, and the consensus among 23 analysts is that the stock is currently a Hold. Sixteen analysts recommend a Hold, and seven recommend a Buy.

With an average 12-month price target of $217.50, the current upside on the stock is above 20%. The highest price target is $260 and the lowest is $185, suggesting genuine uncertainty about the pace of margin recovery.

Hershey also carries a sizable quarterly dividend of $1.45 per share for a yield above 3%. The company has raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years,

The Next Few Quarters Could Be CriticalWhether the momentum that Hershey has created continues will soon be seen in its second-quarter earnings.

The question is whether its pricing power has held and how much lower cocoa costs will help. New management will also help set direction.

For investors, Hershey presents a choice between patience and precision. Hershey is a category-leading company with a storied brand in the consumer staples sector. It has proven pricing power, a 15-year dividend growth streak, and a commodity headwind that appears to be easing. The next quarter or two should show if the trajectory continues.

Should You Invest $1,000 in Hershey Right Now?Before you consider Hershey, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Hershey wasn't on the list.

While Hershey currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

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In the latest trading session, Hershey (HSY - Free Report) closed at $183.04, marking a +2.1% move from the previous day. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.1% loss on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.35%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.43%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the chocolate bar and candy maker had lost 6.2% lagged the Consumer Staples sector's loss of 0.72% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.34%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Hershey in its upcoming release. On that day, Hershey is projected to report earnings of $1.46 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 20.66%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $2.66 billion, up 1.84% from the prior-year quarter.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $8.45 per share and a revenue of $12.29 billion, indicating changes of +33.91% and +5.09%, respectively, from the former year.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Hershey. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

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, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.06% lower. Hershey currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Hershey has a Forward P/E ratio of 21.22 right now. This signifies a premium in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 20.13 for its industry.

It is also worth noting that HSY currently has a PEG ratio of 1.08. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The Food - Confectionery industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 1.08 as of yesterday's close.

The Food - Confectionery industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 216, placing it within the bottom 12% of over 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.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

Key Takeaways Hershey's North America Salty Snacks net sales rose 26% year over year to $350.1 million.LesserEvil added 20.4 percentage points to growth, while organic constant-currency sales rose 5.6%.Dot's Pretzels, Reese's Filled Pretzels and Dot's Snack Mix helped lift retail sales and share. The Hershey Company (HSY - Free Report) started 2026 on a strong note in salty snacks, with first-quarter results highlighting growth across both acquired and legacy brands. North America Salty Snacks net sales increased 26% year over year to $350.1 million, reflecting continued consumer demand and successful innovation across the portfolio.

The LesserEvil acquisition contributed approximately 20.4 percentage points to segment growth, while organic constant-currency net sales jumped 5.6%, driven by volume growth of more than five points and roughly flat pricing. Growth extended beyond the acquisition. U.S. salty snacks retail takeaway, excluding LesserEvil, rose 9.8% for the 12-week period ended March 29, 2026, while retail sales increased nearly 10%, contributing to an almost 25-basis-point share gain.

Several brands played a meaningful role in the quarter's performance. Dot’s Pretzels posted a 13% year-over-year increase in retail sales, while Reese’s Filled Pretzels added 130 basis points to pretzel category share. Dot’s Snack Mix also gained traction quickly, capturing more than 200 basis points of snack mix market share during the quarter.

LesserEvil remained a standout contributor, with retail sales surging more than 65%, supported by expanded distribution, and strong trial and repeat purchases. The company plans to further support the brand through additional distribution gains, adjacent category expansion and brand-building investments.

Taken together, the quarter's results point to broad-based strength across Hershey's salty snacks portfolio. While LesserEvil provided a meaningful boost, gains in retail takeaway, market share and brand performance indicate that growth is being supported by multiple drivers across the segment.

HSY Stock Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have risen 7% over the past year against the industry’s decline of 0.1%.

HSY Price Performance Versus Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Hershey trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.62, above the industry’s average of 15.28.

HSY’s Valuation Compared to Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hershey’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share suggests year-over-year growth of 5.1% and 33.9%, respectively.

Better Ranked Stocks to ConsiderThe Chef's Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) , a specialty food distributor serving restaurants, hotels and hospitality customers, sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Chef's Warehouse’s current financial-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 8.3% and 24.7%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 28.9%, on average.

The Vita Coco Company, Inc.  (COCO - Free Report) is a leading beverage company best known for its Vita Coco brand, with a portfolio that also includes hydration, energy and protein-based beverages. COCO sports a Zacks Rank #1.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vita Coco’s current financial-year sales and earnings calls for year-over-year growth of 21.4% and 47.9%, respectively. COCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.7%, on average.

Darling Ingredients Inc. (DAR - Free Report) is a global leader in converting food waste and animal by-products into sustainable ingredients and renewable energy products. DAR currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Darling Ingredients’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings suggests a year-over-year increase of 12.3% and 588.2%, respectively. DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 16.1%, on average.

There's only so much money to go around on Wall Street, so when some stocks go up, something else is usually going down. Investors have been all about technology and artificial intelligence stocks for the past several years, leaving some iconic consumer brand companies in the dust.

These four consumer stocks have rich histories of paying dividends and survived the test of time. They have all fallen 26% to 74% from their all-time highs. Sure, some of these companies have issues, but renowned brands don't typically drop without some adversity.

Here's why investors can buy each one while they're still down, and reasonably expect the dividends to continue pouring in for years to come.

Image source: Nike.

1. Nike Down 74% Sporting apparel giant Nike (NKE 0.30%) has struggled for several years. Its misguided direct-to-consumer strategy opened the door for competitors and prompted Nike to fire its CEO in late 2024. Current CEO and longtime company veteran Elliott Hill is working to get Nike's wholesale relationships and product innovation back on track. China has remained a difficult market for Nike, and the stock has continued to grind lower from its 2021 high.

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That said, Nike is still the top dog in the world of sports apparel. Although the company has paid and raised its dividend for 24 consecutive years, Nike's earnings have deteriorated to a troubling extent amid its struggles. The stock is more risky now, but investors have a rare opportunity to buy Nike at a 3.6% dividend yield. A yield trap? Perhaps not. Analysts see Nike's earnings rebounding to $2.40 per share by the end of its next fiscal year, which would bring that dividend back to a safe place.

2. PepsiCo Down 26% Food and beverages never go out of style. That simple truth has made PepsiCo (PEP 0.09%) a Dividend King with 54 consecutive annual increases. The company owns a vast portfolio of soda and snack food brands, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Quaker, and more. These are brands people recognize and tend to reach for in the grocery store. But despite the power of these brand names, PepsiCo has struggled to grow sales over the past couple of years.

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The biggest culprit could be management, which raised prices too aggressively following the COVID-19 pandemic. PepsiCo has since realigned its pricing with consumer budgets and is seeing encouraging results. The stock is still well below its former high and trades at less than 17 times 2026 earnings estimates. It's an attractive valuation for a legendary dividend stock with a 4.1% dividend yield and analysts calling for 6% annualized earnings growth.

3. Hershey Down 34% Iconic confectionery giant Hershey (HSY +0.78%) is a staple of American chocolate. Consumers have faithfully bought its products for generations, but a severe cocoa shortage in recent years turned the company on its head. Soaring cocoa prices forced management to raise prices, while still crushing its profit margins. Hershey even had to refrain from raising its dividend last year, though it did hike the payout earlier this year.

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182.52

Hershey brought in new CEO and President Kirk Tanner to replace Michele Buck, who retired last summer. Hershey will look for growth in salty snacks and nutrition bars, which are growing faster than the confectionery business. Hershey's traditionally steep valuation has fallen to roughly 21 times this year's earnings estimates. It's a fantastic entry point for investors looking for Hershey's core business to storm back as cocoa headwinds pass.

4. Kimberly-Clark Down 35% It's not every day you see a longtime blue chip company take a home run swing. But Kimberly-Clark (KMB +1.10%) is doing just that, merging with consumer staples peer Kenvue, a deal valued at $48.7 billion. Once the merger closes, the combined entity would be a global consumer products behemoth, with brands spanning across paper products, hygiene, infant care, and over-the-counter medicines -- staples people buy regardless of the economy.

So, why has the stock fallen? Such large mergers can be risky, as there are many moving parts to fit together. It could take years to strip out inefficiencies, cut costs, and so on. Plus, this deal is worth more than Kimberly-Clark's current market cap. On the plus side, both companies are Dividend Kings, so the combined entity will likely prioritize maintaining and growing the dividend. Investors may need to exercise patience, but Kimberly-Clark will pay a 5% dividend yield while the dust settles.

Hershey CEO Kirk Tanner said GLP-1 drugs are helping to boost sales of mints and gum, including the company's Ice Breakers https://bloom.bg/3PbWvZY

If you're looking to boost your passive income in 2026, there are elite dividend stocks available at attractive prices. Several consumer goods companies with long records of paying consistent dividends are offering high yields. Here are two to consider buying today.

Image source: Getty Images.

Coca-Cola Consistent financial performance has sustained 64 consecutive dividend increases for Coca-Cola (KO 0.63%). The stock's attractive forward yield of 2.7% and steady annual sales make it a no-brainer income investment right now.

Over the last year, the company generated $12.5 billion in free cash flow and paid out nearly $11 billion in dividends. That's pushing the upper boundary of its payout limits, but Coca-Cola has historically paid virtually all of its free cash flow in dividends. This stems from its capital-light business model, in which most of its revenue comes from concentrate syrups used to make the finished product.

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Coca-Cola faces some headwinds as it seeks to manage its portfolio to keep pace with evolving tastes. However, it appears to be on top of this. In 2024, nearly a third of its global volume came from low- or no-calorie beverages. It has 32 brands generating at least $1 billion in annual sales. This covers many different categories to meet demand for a variety of preferences and drinking occasions.

In addition to the ever-popular Diet Coke and Coke Zero, the company has Fairlife dairy products, along with Smartwater and Topo Chico sparkling water. Recent financial results continue to show consistent unit-volume growth, indicating that management is selective in expanding its portfolio to sustain sales growth.

Across its brands, global unit case volume increased by 3% year over year in the first quarter. This translated to healthy organic revenue growth of 10%, with adjusted earnings up 12% on a currency-neutral basis.

Coca-Cola is not without opportunities to keep growing. It added over 600,000 outlets in the quarter to make its products available in more stores globally. This stock could be paying dividends for decades to come.

Hershey Over the last few years, Hershey (HSY +1.21%) has been hit by record cocoa prices. Higher chocolate prices weighed on demand, while the inflationary cost spike pressured the company's bottom line. But this has presented an excellent opportunity for patient investors to grab shares at attractive yields.

Despite the stock's recent recovery, it still offers a forward dividend yield of 3.2%. Hershey had to pause its annual dividend increase in 2025 due to higher commodity costs, but overall, it has continued to pay dividends and navigate the environment well.

Over the last year, it generated $1.85 billion in free cash flow and paid $1.1 billion in dividends, ensuring sustainable payouts even during challenging times. Hershey has grown its dividend at an annualized rate of 11% over the past five years and has paid a dividend for 96 consecutive years.

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183.03

The rising demand for GLP-1s shows that people are becoming more health-conscious. However, people are unlikely to lose their taste for chocolate. Hershey's recent results reflect this. It posted a solid organic sales increase of 7.9% year over year in Q1. This was driven by demand for Hershey's and Reese's.

Additionally, Hershey is seeing strong growth in its snack portfolio, including SkinnyPop, Dot's, and LesserEvil.Management is focused on offering a range of candy and snack brands to meet demand across occasions and preferences.

With cocoa prices down from their peak, the worst is likely behind Hershey. Company guidance calls for adjusted sales to increase between 2.5% and 3.5% in 2026, with adjusted earnings anticipated to surge 30% to 35%, as it recovers from the cocoa cost shock.

Hershey is the leader in the U.S. confectionery market. Its global distribution, marketing, and top brands should make it a solid dividend stock for years to come.

Limited-Edition Foils, a Digital Collecting Hub, and an Instagram Takeover Help Celebrate 30 Years of Pokémon

, /PRNewswire/ -- Hershey's Kisses is teaming up with The Pokémon Company International for another special-edition collection — and this year, things are getting a little villainous.

Fans can collect 151 Poké Ball foil designs in addition to 10 new foils, inspired by the beloved antagonists in the Pokémon world, Team Rocket. In celebration of 30 years of Pokémon, the collection introduces a new narrative-driven experience, where Team Rocket is on a mission to steal every Hershey's Kisses foil design — and they're not keeping it a secret.

HERSHEY'S KISSES & Pokémon chocolates

HERSHEY'S KISSES & Pokémon chocolates in 9-oz share pack and 28-oz party bag

Pirate's Booty & Pokémon Pikachu-shaped puffs

"Pokémon brings people together in ways few brands can — and that same joy of discovery lives in Hershey's chocolate," said Carly Andrews, Associate Brand Manager at The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY). "With 151 Poké Ball foils and the addition of Team Rocket foils, this year's collection delivers our most fun, collectible Pokémon release yet."

A Collectible Experience That Goes Beyond the Wrapper

Fans can follow along as the story unfolds across social, centered on the challenge of collecting all 151 Hershey's Kisses chocolates before Team Rocket does.

Earlier this month, Team Rocket temporarily took over Hershey's Instagram, posting in-character content about their ongoing hijinks and attempts to steal Hershey's Kisses chocolates. In addition, on May 12, Pokémon fans and families can scan the QR code on each pack to visit a digital collection hub — a place to track finds, follow the story and enter for a chance to win exclusive prizes.

Available in 9-oz share packs and 28-oz party bags at participating retailers nationwide, each of the Hershey's Kisses chocolates collected becomes part of the fun, turning everyday chocolate moments into a shared experience rooted in fandom, play and discovery.

More Ways to Play from the Hershey Company

This summer, Pirate's Booty is bringing Pokémon fun to snack time with Pikachu-shaped puffs and three unique pack designs. Each pack will include a different "Who's That Pokémon" challenge and access to downloadable activities for the whole family.

This partnership brings together Pokémon and Pirate's Booty's better-for-you credentials — making back-to-school season more exciting for both kids and parents.

Follow along with the Hershey's brand on Instagram and Pirate's Booty brand on Instagram.

FAQs

What is the Hershey's Kisses x Pokémon collection?

A limited-time release of Hershey's Kisses chocolates featuring 151 collectible Pokémon foil designs, including 10 new Team Rocket foils.

What's new this year?

The 2026 launch introduces Team Rocket to the storyline, along with new Hershey's Kisses foil designs and an interactive digital experience.

What is the Team Rocket takeover?

Earlier this month, Team Rocket temporarily took over Hershey's Instagram, posting in-character content about their attempts to steal the Hershey's Kisses.

Is there a digital experience?

Yes. On May 12, fans can scan the on-pack QR code to access a digital collection hub where they can track their collection, follow the story and enter for a chance to win the Hershey's Kisses x Pokémon grand prize and exclusive collectibles.

What makes this experience unique?

Each Hershey's Kisses chocolate collected becomes part of a larger, interactive experience — turning everyday chocolate moments into a shared journey rooted in fandom, play and discovery.

When and where will the products be available?

Pokémon Hershey's Kisses are available in 9-oz share packs and 28-oz party bags at participating retailers while supplies last.

Will the products be restocked?

No. These are limited-time offerings available while supplies last.

Are Hershey's and Pokémon partnering on anything else this year?

Yes! Pirate's Booty is also celebrating 30 years of Pokémon with a limited-time release of Pikachu shaped puffs featuring interactive packaging and Pokémon-themed activities.

What makes this product unique?

The collection includes three unique pack designs with a different "Who's That Pokémon?" activity on the back of each pack, in addition to access to fun, downloadable activities for families.

Where can I find the activities?

Fans can visit the Pirate's Booty website for downloadable activities like word searches, object finds and coloring pages. Completing the experiences unlocks a bonus surprise activity.

When will Pirate's Booty Pokémon be available?

The product will be available nationwide this summer in 8-count cartons and 17-oz club bags.

Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer.

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.

To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com.

Follow:
https://x.com/hersheycompany
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hershey-company
http://www.facebook.com/hersheycompany
http://www.youtube.com/hersheycompany
http://www.instagram.com/hersheycompany

About The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children's entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com

SOURCE The Hershey Company

The S&P 500 index (^GSPC +0.31%) is offering a tiny 1.1% dividend yield. Coca-Cola's (KO 0.63%) yield is more than twice as high at 2.7%. Hershey Foods (HSY +1.21%) has an even higher yield of 3%. And Hormel Foods (HRL +0.68%) tops the list with a 5.8% yield. All are reliable dividend payers, though they'll probably appeal to different types of investors.

If you have $10,000 to invest, you can buy 127 shares of Coca-Cola, 52 shares of Hershey, or 495 shares of ultra-high yield Hormel. Here's why you might decide to take the plunge with each of them.

Image source: Getty Images.

Coca-Cola is doing well despite the headwinds Consumers are tightening their budgets, and buying habits have shifted in a healthier direction. That sounds like it would be bad news for one of the world's largest beverage companies. And yet, Coca-Cola grew case volume by 1% and organic sales by 5% in 2025. In the first quarter of 2026, case volume increased 3%, and organic sales rose 10%. Simply put, Coca-Cola is thriving even in the face of the headwinds that are causing consternation across the consumer staples peer group.

Coca-Cola is actually one of the world's largest consumer staples businesses. It can compete with any peer on brand strength, marketing skills, distribution breadth, and innovation capabilities. And it has a proven history of rewarding investors, given its status as a Dividend King, with over 50 years of annual dividend increases backing its well above market 2.7% yield.

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For a conservative dividend investor, Coca-Cola could be a top-notch dividend opportunity. It isn't cheap, but the price-to-earnings ratio is a touch below its five-year average, suggesting that it is at least fairly priced right now.

Hershey Foods has shocking pricing power Hershey Foods has been dealing with volatility in the cocoa market, leaving investors with a sour taste. Add to that growing use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, which investors seem to fear will lead to a material drop in demand for the confections Hershey sells. The stock is down 30% from its 2023 high, pushing the dividend yield to a historically attractive 3%.

However, cocoa markets are starting to normalize. And candy is an affordable luxury that people use as treats, not their main form of sustenance. So far, consumers have continued to buy even as prices are rising and healthier eating habits spread. The first quarter's organic sales trends show just how strong Hershey's business is. Price increases in the U.S. confectionery space added 12 percentage points to the division's 8% organic growth, with volume declines only taking four percentage points off the total.

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That's huge pricing power, with the international confection division, a smaller segment of the business, performing even better. It is very clear that customers want to buy Hershey's candy despite rising prices, economic uncertainty, and a broader shift toward healthier foods. Meanwhile, Hershey's annualized dividend growth over the past decade was a very attractive 9%. Growth and income investors should probably take a close look at this still well-positioned food business.

Hormel has an ace hidden up its sleeve Hormel has overhauled its business, shifting away from commodity-based products and toward branded fare. The process has been a long one, and it was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Financial results haven't been great. But there are early signs that Hormel is making progress, noting that organic sales have increased for five quarters in a row.

There's more work to be done, but the branded food company's turnaround appears to be gaining traction. That said, while investors are deeply negative, pushing the stock down 60% from its 2022 high, Hormel has no need to rush its turnaround just to appease Wall Street. The philanthropic Hormel Foundation controls roughly 47% of Hormel the company's stock, giving management the leeway to make long-term decisions that are in the best interest of the company.

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Notably, The Hormel Foundation uses the dividends it collects from this Dividend King to support its philanthropic efforts. So if you are an income investor drawn to Hormel's lofty 5.8% yield, you have a major partner that feels just as strongly as you do about the sanctity of the dividend. This turnaround stock could be a good choice for more adventurous dividend investors.

Options for different types of dividend investors Not every dividend stock is a good fit for every investor. Coca-Cola is a strong option for conservative types. Hershey could be a fit for those willing to take on a little more risk to achieve a little more yield. And Hormel's lofty yield might be perfect for more aggressive income seekers, noting the support the business has from The Hormel Foundation.

On May 27, 2026, The Hershey Co (HSY) shares rose 3.5% today, closing at $197.82. The stock has experienced significant price movements recently, with a 52-week

Image: Bigstock

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Key Takeaways HSY Q1 net sales rose 10.6% to $3,104.2 million, driven by about 10 points of net price realization. Hershey saw volume fall nearly 2 points as price elasticity weighed on shipments despite pricing gains. HSY adjusted gross margin fell 80 bps to 40.4% as commodity and tariff-related costs outweighed benefits. The Hershey Company (HSY - Free Report) is leaning on one of its biggest competitive strengths, pricing power, to navigate an environment marked by elevated commodity and tariff-related costs. The company’s first-quarter 2026 results showed that consumers continued to absorb higher prices across key markets, helping support sales growth even as volume trends remained pressured.

Net sales increased 10.6% to $3,104.2 million in the quarter, while organic, constant-currency net sales rose 7.9%. The increase was driven primarily by approximately 10 points of net price realization, partly offset by an approximately 2-point decline in volume.

The performance highlights Hershey’s ability to push through pricing actions while maintaining demand across much of its portfolio. However, the results also illustrate the trade-off between pricing and volume, as elasticity pressures continued to weigh on shipment volumes in certain businesses.

Pricing Continues to Do the Heavy Lifting for HersheyNorth America Confectionery remained a clear example of the pricing strategy at work. Organic, constant-currency net sales increased 8%, supported by approximately 12 points of net price realization. Volume declined about 4%, reflecting price elasticity and one fewer shipping day, though the impact was partly offset by favorable shipment timing and innovation performance.

A similar trend emerged internationally. Net sales increased 16.1%, while organic, constant-currency sales rose 9.3%. Pricing contributed roughly 12 points of growth, reflecting strategic pricing actions across markets. Volume decreased approximately 2%, reflecting elasticity impacts, partially offset by favorable shipment timing in select markets and continued strength in Brazil.

While pricing boosted revenue growth, cost inflation continued to pressure profitability. HSY’s adjusted gross margin declined 80 basis points to 40.4%, as higher commodity and tariff-related costs more than offset pricing benefits and productivity gains.

Pricing actions are supporting top-line growth and helping mitigate inflationary pressures, but commodity and tariff-related costs remain a meaningful margin headwind. The effectiveness of future pricing actions, combined with productivity and transformation savings, will remain central to how successfully Hershey manages these cost pressures through the remainder of the year.

The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has risen 6.5% over the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 5.2%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to ConsiderThe Chef's Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) , a specialty food distributor serving restaurants, hotels and hospitality customers, sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Chef's Warehouse’s current financial-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 8.3% and 24.7%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 28.9%, on average.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN - Free Report) operates as a leading protein company, producing chicken, beef, pork and prepared food products. TSN currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tyson Foods’ current fiscal-year sales calls for growth of 4.5%, while the consensus mark for earnings indicates a 0.5% increase from the year-ago reported figures. TSN delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 18.1%, on average.

Flowers Foods, Inc. (FLO - Free Report) is a leading U.S. bakery company that manufactures and markets packaged bakery foods, including bread, buns, snack cakes and tortillas, under brands such as Nature’s Own, Wonder and Dave’s Killer Bread. FLO carries a Zacks Rank #2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Flowers Foods’ current and next fiscal-year EPS has seen upward revisions by 5.6% and 11.9%, respectively, over the past 60 days.

Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report) Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.

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Published in consumer-staples

New Campaign Invites Fans to Choose Between Camp Gooey and Camp Toasty This Summer

, /PRNewswire/ -- There are two kinds of people in this world when it comes to s'mores. Those who carefully rotate their marshmallow until it's perfectly golden, and those who light it on fire and call it a strategy. This summer, Hershey's is here to let America settle it once and for all.

Hershey's partner and s'mores icon Patrick Renna and son, Flynn Renna kick off Hershey's Heated Debate.

Introducing Hershey's Heated Debate. Are you Camp Gooey or Camp Toasty?

Hershey's partner and s'mores icon Patrick Renna and son, Flynn Renna, roasting the perfect s'mores together.

Source: The Hershey Company and independent research firm Reputation Leaders conducted a study of 5,000 U.S. adults aged 18-65, with 100 respondents per state. Fieldwork: April 3-27, 2026. State-level results are unweighted.

Introducing Hershey's Heated Debate, a summer-long campaign, in partnership with actor, creator, and s'mores icon Patrick Renna, that celebrates the ritual of making s'mores, the opinions it ignites, and the moments it creates. Because whether you're Camp Gooey or Camp Toasty, we can all agree on one thing: nothing makes a s'more like Hershey's milk chocolate.

To really get things bubbling, Hershey's issued the Hershey's S'mores Heated Debate Report, revealing that:

Over two thirds (69%) of s'mores eaters are Camp Toasty. These consumers want to see the outside completely toasted with 17% looking for some blackened char and 11% wanting the marshmallow on fire. One third (29%) of survey respondents are Camp Gooey with the majority prioritizing an ooey gooey center for the ultimate s'mores experience. 2% represent people who either don't want a marshmallow at all (1%) or those who say it "doesn't matter" (1%). "S'mores define summer, and Hershey's is the chocolate that people reach for to make them," said Vinny Rinaldi, VP, Consumer Connections at The Hershey Company. "Our focus is making this timeless ritual feel relevant and participatory, inviting more people to connect through a shared summer tradition."

Sparking a Nationwide Conversation

This summer, fans are encouraged to join the Hershey's Heated Debate and choose their side – Camp Gooey or Camp Toasty – and share it on Instagram and TikTok starting June 1 by tagging @hersheys and using the hashtag #campgooey or #camptoasty.

"Hershey's milk chocolate is non-negotiable in my house. It's the classic for a reason," said Patrick Renna. "And the marshmallow? That's where the family debate gets loud. Camp Gooey, Camp Toasty… everybody's got a take. But that's the best part: you're outside, you're laughing, and for a few minutes you're just together with sticky fingers, big smiles, and s'mores that taste like summer."

A Simple Ritual, A Real Connection

According to Hershey's S'mores Heated Debate Report, s'mores are a pillar of American summertime.

The U.S. consumes more than an estimated 2.5 billion s'mores annually.* 68% of s'mores eaters say it's not summer until you have had a s'more. 80% said s'mores are as American as apple pie. 40% of s'mores eaters only want "classic" s'mores. 43% of s'mores eaters consider themselves s'mores experts. 26% of s'mores eaters prefer their own method and wouldn't want someone else to make one for them. Extending the Momentum of Hershey's. It's Your Happy Place.

S'mores season is a signature way the "Hershey's. It's Your Happy Place." campaign comes to life through simple moments, shared rituals, and summer togetherness. 2026 marks Hershey's biggest year yet, with the brand showing up on the world's biggest stages and across key consumer moments, including the once-in-a-lifetime HERSHEY movie, in theaters Thanksgiving Day.

FAQs

What does the Hershey's s'mores campaign focus on?
Hershey's Heated Debate celebrates the small, shared moments that create lasting memories across generations and backyards – with Hershey's right at the center.

What is the "Camp Gooey vs. Camp Toasty" debate?
It is the classic question of how to toast a marshmallow – extra gooey, lightly golden or fully scorched. Hershey's S'mores Heated Debate Report says two-thirds (69%) of s'mores eaters like their s'mores toasty with 17% looking for some blackened char, and 11% wanting the marshmallow on fire.

What role does Patrick Renna play in bringing the debate to life?
Hershey's partnered with s'mores connoisseur, Patrick Renna to not only help launch the debate, but to bring s'mores-lovers together to share their sacred rituals, recipes and must-haves around the campfire.

How do I get involved in the Hershey's s'mores campaign?
Fans can join the conversation on Instagram and TikTok starting June 1 by sharing their s'mores style, tagging @hersheys and using the hashtag #campgooey or #camptoasty.

Why is Hershey's focusing on s'mores?
S'mores are a timeless summer ritual that naturally brings people together. It's the ritual that reconnects us – a simple, familiar act that bridges generations, revives old memories, and creates new ones.

What makes a s'more a s'more?
85% define s'mores as a classic recipe (graham cracker + marshmallow + chocolate), and 95% think that Hershey's belongs in a classic s'more.

Are there new ways to enjoy Hershey's in s'mores?
Yes. Fans can try variations like Hershey's milk chocolate with Caramel or experiment with new ingredients. Results from Hershey's S'mores Heated Debate Report finds that 47% of s'mores eaters categorize themselves as "experimenters," trying salty and sweet ingredients like bacon, pickles or fruit.

What is Hershey's. It's Your Happy Place campaign?
Hershey's. It's Your Happy Place. is Hershey's first major creative campaign in eight years, which launched ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Hershey's. It's Your Happy Place. reinforces Hershey's enduring role as an iconic part of everyday moments and a familiar source of happiness.

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.

To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com

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Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer.

About The Study
The Hershey Company and independent research firm Reputation Leaders  and MSL conducted a study by among 5,000 U.S. adults aged 18–65, with 100 respondents in each of the 50 U.S. states. The online survey was conducted between April 3 - 27, 2026. State-level findings are reported on an unweighted basis. For national projections of U.S. s'mores consumption, results were weighted to reflect gender, region, and state-level age profiles. Where findings relate to children aged 0–17, responses were provided by parents on behalf of their children and used to estimate consumption among this age group.

SOURCE The Hershey Company

Hershey is analyzed through its income statement, balance sheet, cash flow, and dividend history, highlighting fundamental financial health. Valuation metrics from Seeking Alpha are compared against Hershey's historical and peer benchmarks to assess current investment attractiveness. U.S. consumer sentiment data is integrated to contextualize demand drivers and potential headwinds for HSY's core business.

The death crosses flashing on both Hershey (NYSE: HSY | HSY Price Prediction) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX) are a bearish technical signal that Wall Street is openly ignoring. Analyst consensus on both stocks is solidly bullish, with double-digit implied upside to consensus targets, and the institutional bid keeps appearing even as the 50-day moving averages drift below the 200-day lines.

What the Smart Money Actually Thinks of Hershey Let’s start with Hershey. The stock closed at $180.84 on June 11, 2026, while the consensus analyst target price is $217.14. The ratings skew cautiously positive. Critically, the death cross itself is razor-thin, with the 50-day moving average at $193.09 versus the 200-day at $193.97. That is a separation of less than a dollar on a stock trading in the $180s. The signal is mechanically valid but informationally weak.

The fundamentals behind the analyst optimism are concrete. Hershey delivered Q1 FY2026 adjusted EPS of $2.35, a 14.67% beat over the $2.05 estimate. Revenue totaled $3.10 billion after growing 10.65% year over year. Management reaffirmed FY2026 guidance for adjusted EPS of $8.20 to $8.52, implying low-double-digit growth for the full year. At a forward P/E of 21 and a trailing P/E of 33, the market is already pricing in earnings normalization. The 3.2% dividend yield and beta of 0.081 make this one of the lowest-volatility names in consumer defensive coverage.

Vertex Offers an Even Louder Buy Signal Vertex Pharmaceuticals presents an even more lopsided picture. The consensus target price is $548.69, versus a closing price of $445.04 on June 11, 2026. The rating split is overwhelmingly bullish, and the death cross is similarly cosmetic, with the 50-day moving average at $436.72 against the 200-day at $437.41. Meanwhile, the stock has been recovering, up fractionally over the past week and 2.1% on the most recent session. The slower 200-day line is catching down to a stock that has already started repairing.

Earnings momentum supports the consensus. Vertex posted Q1 2026 non-GAAP EPS of $4.47 against a $4.31 estimate, with operating income up 80.62% year over year. Non-CF products contributed more than 25% of quarterly growth, validating the diversification thesis. Cash reached $7.247 billion, up 55.02% year over year. The povetacicept BLA for IgA nephropathy is moving through a Priority Review Voucher, six-month expedited review, a near-term regulatory catalyst the technicals do not reflect.

The Disconnect Between Price and Thesis The key question for retail investors is what to do when a lagging signal disagrees with a forward-looking consensus. On Hershey, the implied move to the analyst target is material, and the name trades well below its 52-week high of $239.48. On Vertex, the same gap is wider still, and the stock trades well below its 52-week high of $507.92. Institutional ownership of 88% for Hershey and 98% for Vertex indicates that professional investors have not been exiting their positions in any significant size.

The Takeaway A death cross describes price behavior that has already occurred. The Wall Street view, supported by earnings beats, reaffirmed guidance, and active pipeline catalysts, suggests the technical signal is late and marginal in both cases. The smart money is positioned for mean reversion higher, not continuation lower.

Risk remains: a fresh negative catalyst extends the downtrend on either name, and consensus targets are projections, not promises. But on the weight of evidence currently available, the bearish chart pattern is the noisier signal, and the bullish analyst consensus is the cleaner one.