Overview
- Hershey reported full-year 2025 results showing net income down about 60% to $883.3 million as net sales rose 4.46% to $11.7 billion.
- Fourth-quarter adjusted EPS was $1.71 versus $1.40 expected on revenue of $3.09 billion, with analysts noting stronger North America volume alongside commodity and tariff pressure on margins.
- The company guided 2026 net sales growth of 4% to 5% and adjusted diluted EPS of $8.20 to $8.52, expecting sales growth and gross-margin recovery to offset higher investment and interest costs.
- The board declared a dividend of $1.452 per common share and $1.320 per Class B share, with a record date of February 17 and payment on March 16, 2026.
- Shares rallied roughly 9% to an intraday high of $225.55, as earlier price-target hikes from Morgan Stanley, DA Davidson, and Deutsche Bank and a stepped-up Hershey’s brand campaign supported sentiment.