Hershey Company (HSY)

In the past six months, Hershey's stock price increased by 22.30% over the last 12 months and 11.17% year-to-date, but decreased by 6.99% in the past month. At the Investor Day on March 31, 2026, management reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, projecting net sales growth of 4% to 5% and adjusted EPS growth of 30% to 35%, including a benefit from the LesserEvil acquisition. Hershey also laid out a multi-year growth roadmap, aiming for 2% to 4% organic revenue growth and 6% to 8% EPS growth in the long term. In February 2026, Hershey reported its fourth-quarter earnings, expecting diluted adjusted earnings per share for 2026 in the range of $8.20 to $8.52, and reported consolidated net sales of $11.69 billion for 2025. In October 2025, the company noted a slow start to Halloween candy sales, leading to plans for increased investment in consumer insights and digital marketing. In April 2026, Hershey announced it would transition some Reese's products back to their traditional recipes by 2027. Deutsche Bank maintained a "hold" rating on HSY in March 2026 but lowered its price target due to concerns about cost inflation and potential demand destruction.

Demand for The Hershey Company's products exhibits clear seasonality, with major holidays significantly impacting sales. Roughly one-quarter of Hershey's business is driven by seasonal occasions such as Halloween, Easter, and the winter holiday season. The company strategically plans its merchandising, packaging, and media buying around these key periods. The summer s'mores season also represents a substantial opportunity for Hershey, with the company introducing innovations to capitalize on this trend.

The Hershey Company is a multinational confectionery and snack food company. Its core business involves manufacturing and marketing chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products, gum, mints, and snack items. The company's product lineup includes brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Almond Joy, and PayDay. Hershey has also diversified into salty snacks with brands like SkinnyPop, Pirate's Booty, Dot's Homestyle Pretzels, and ONE Brands protein bars, and offers pantry items such as baking ingredients, toppings, and beverages.

The Hershey Company has a global presence with its headquarters in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and manufacturing facilities across the United States and internationally. The company's products are sold in approximately 80 to 85 countries worldwide. Key international markets for Hershey include Canada, Mexico, India, and China, where it offers both core confection brands and region-specific products.

Hershey has maintained a strong brand presence, leveraging its diverse product portfolio. The company's decision to revert certain Reese's products to their classic recipes by 2027 reinforces brand authenticity. The slow start to Halloween candy sales in October 2025 prompted Hershey to announce plans for increased investment in consumer insights and digital marketing. Hershey also expanded its non-chocolate candy offerings with the acquisition of Sour Strips in November 2024.

The ownership structure of The Hershey Company is characterized by a significant institutional presence and the influence of the Hershey Trust Company. Major institutional owners include Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock, Inc., Capital International Investors, State Street Corp, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc, Geode Capital Management, Llc, Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank Of Canada, and Fmr Llc. The Hershey Trust Company holds a minority stake but retains a majority of the voting power. Recent insider trading activity in December 2025 showed some officers selling shares, while several directors made purchases.