Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Updates FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 8.360-8.520 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 8.430. The company issued revenue guidance of $12.2 billion-$12.3 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $12.3 billion.

Hershey Stock Down 3.7%

NYSE:HSY traded down $6.75 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $177.16. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,978,866 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,032,140. Hershey has a one year low of $161.43 and a one year high of $239.48. The business’s 50-day moving average is $179.81 and its 200-day moving average is $196.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.24 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The company has a market cap of $35.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.11.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.43 by $0.47. Hershey had a return on equity of 28.98% and a net margin of 9.12%.The company had revenue of $2.79 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.63 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.21 EPS. The firm’s revenue 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 predict that Hershey will post 8.42 EPS for the current year.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 14th will be given a $1.452 dividend. This represents a $5.81 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 108.19%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Hershey from $220.00 to $200.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price 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. Zacks Research cut shares of Hershey from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $185.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 20th. Finally, DA Davidson upgraded shares of Hershey to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. 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.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $208.28.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Hershey news, CFO Steven E. 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 value 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. The trade was a 2.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Key Hershey News

Here are the key news stories impacting Hershey this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results exceeded expectations. Second-quarter net sales rose 6.6% year over year to $2.79 billion, ahead of the $2.63 billion consensus estimate. Adjusted earnings of $1.90 per share also topped forecasts, while reported net income reached $457.7 million, or $2.26 per diluted share. Hershey beats quarterly sales estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Pricing and margin recovery supported earnings. A 12% increase in prices offset weaker volumes, while profitability improved year over year. North America Salty Snacks sales rose 22.9% to $387.8 million, helped by the LesserEvil acquisition, and North America Confectionery sales increased 4.2%. Hershey Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates on Pricing and Margin Gains
• Positive Sentiment: Full-year guidance was raised or narrowed toward the upper end. Hershey now expects 2026 net sales growth of approximately 4.5% to 5% and reported EPS growth of 82% to 89%, with EPS guidance of $8.36 to $8.52. The outlook excludes potential future tariff rebates. The board also declared quarterly dividends of $1.452 per common share and $1.320 per Class B share. Hershey Reports Second-Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Hershey and other chocolate manufacturers are redesigning supply chains and pursuing product innovation to reduce exposure to cocoa-price volatility. This could improve long-term cost management, although commodity costs remain a risk. How chocolate makers are defending themselves against cocoa price swings
• Negative Sentiment: Volume trends were the main concern. Sales growth depended on price increases, while volumes fell 8%, raising questions about demand durability, pricing power and the risk of consumers trading down. Hershey Q2 2026 earnings beat, raises annual outlook
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider activity was weighted toward selling, including a $255,000 CFO sale under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. While scheduled sales are not necessarily a fundamental warning, they may add modest investor caution.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HSY. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Hershey during the third quarter worth $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hershey in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. DV Equities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hershey in the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey during the 4th quarter worth about $47,000. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the company’s stock.

Hershey Company Profile

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.