Hershey Reaffirms 2026 Financial Outlook with Strong Q1 Results
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 30 2026
0mins
Should l Buy HSY?
Source: seekingalpha
- Q1 Performance Exceeds Expectations: Hershey (HSY) reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $2.35, beating estimates by $0.31, with revenue of $3.1 billion reflecting a 10.3% year-over-year increase, surpassing expectations by $70 million, indicating robust market demand and brand strength.
- 2026 Financial Outlook Reaffirmed: The company reaffirms its 2026 net sales growth forecast of 4% to 5%, organic net sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5%, reported EPS growth of 79% to 89%, and adjusted EPS growth of 30% to 35%, reflecting a 150 basis point benefit from the acquisition of LesserEvil.
- Tax Rate and Expense Projections: The company expects a reported and adjusted effective tax rate in the range of 25% to 27%, with other expenses primarily related to pension and post-retirement benefits estimated at $15 million to $20 million, demonstrating a cautious approach to cost management.
- Capital Expenditures and Savings Initiatives: Capital expenditures are projected to be between $425 million and $475 million, while the Agility & Automation Initiative is expected to yield approximately $100 million in savings, highlighting the company's strategic commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.
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Analyst Views on HSY
Wall Street analysts forecast HSY stock price to rise
17 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
14 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 187.060
Low
181.00
Averages
196.27
High
222.00
Current: 187.060
Low
181.00
Averages
196.27
High
222.00
About HSY
The Hershey Company is a snacks company. The Company's segments include North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks and International. The North America Confectionery segment is responsible for its traditional chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery market position in the United States and Canada. This includes its business in chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery, gum and refreshment products, protein bars, spreads, snack bites and mixes, as well as pantry and food service lines. This segment also includes its retail operations. The North America Salty Snacks segment is responsible for its salty snacking products in the United States. This includes ready-to-eat popcorn, baked and trans fat free snacks, pretzels and other snacks. The Company's portfolio includes chocolate and confectionery brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, LesserEvil, Shaq-a-licious alongside salty snacks, including SkinnyPop and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Hershey CFO to Participate in Goldman Sachs Forum
- Executive Participation: Hershey's CFO Steve Voskuil will participate in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs Global Staples Forum on May 12, 2026, showcasing the company's leadership in the industry and likely attracting investor interest.
- Live Webcast Arrangement: The event will feature a live audio webcast available on Hershey's investor website, providing convenient access for investors to stay updated on the company's latest developments and enhancing transparency.
- Company Overview: Hershey employs over 20,000 people globally and generates more than $11.7 billion in annual revenue across 85 brands, demonstrating its strong presence and market influence in the snacks industry.
- Commitment to Social Responsibility: Since its founding, Hershey has maintained a commitment to fair, ethical, and sustainable practices, focusing on helping children succeed through equitable access to education, reflecting its deep sense of social responsibility.
See More
Hershey CFO to Participate in Goldman Sachs Forum
- Executive Participation: Hershey's CFO Steve Voskuil will participate in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs Global Staples Forum on May 12, 2026, highlighting the company's leadership in the industry.
- Live Webcast Arrangement: The event will be streamed live on Hershey's investor website, ensuring that investors can access the latest company updates in real-time, thereby enhancing transparency and investor confidence.
- Company Background Overview: The Hershey Company is a leading snacks company with over $11.7 billion in annual revenue, employing more than 20,000 people and offering over 85 brands across approximately 65 countries, showcasing its strong market presence.
- Commitment to Social Responsibility: Since its founding, Hershey has maintained a commitment to fair, ethical, and sustainable practices, focusing on helping children succeed through equitable access to education, reflecting the company's sense of social responsibility.
See More
Coca-Cola and Hershey Present Dividend Investment Opportunities
- Coca-Cola's Steady Income: Coca-Cola has maintained 64 consecutive years of dividend increases, generating $12.5 billion in free cash flow last year while paying nearly $11 billion in dividends, showcasing its robust capital-light business model and expected continued income for investors.
- Market Adaptability: Despite challenges from changing tastes, Coca-Cola's low/no-calorie beverages accounted for nearly one-third of global volume in 2024, with 32 brands each generating over $1 billion in annual sales, demonstrating its adaptability to diverse consumer demands.
- Hershey's Growth Potential: Despite being impacted by soaring cocoa prices, Hershey has maintained 96 years of consecutive dividend payments, generating $1.85 billion in free cash flow and paying $1.1 billion in dividends last year, with projected adjusted sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5% in 2026, indicating resilience in adversity.
- Brand Diversification Strategy: Hershey achieved a 7.9% organic sales increase in Q1, driven by strong demand for its candy and snack brands, with management focusing on meeting diverse consumer preferences across occasions, ensuring sustained growth in the future.
See More
Consumer Goods Giants Poised for Transformation Opportunities
- Hershey's Recovery: Hershey (HSY) has shown a strong recovery with Q1 2026 net revenue reaching $3.10 billion, a 10.6% year-over-year increase, and gross margin expanding from 33.7% to 39.4%, indicating robust earnings recovery potential after a painful cost crunch.
- General Mills Transformation: General Mills (GIS) is undergoing a transformation post-yogurt divestiture, focusing on its pet food segment, and despite facing organic sales declines, its dividend yield has risen to approximately 7%, providing a stable income opportunity for investors.
- Kimberly-Clark's Kenvue Acquisition: Kimberly-Clark (KMB) is acquiring Kenvue for $48.7 billion, expected to close in H2 2026, which will create a global personal care and health platform with enhanced pricing power across well-known brands, marking a significant strategic shift.
- Consistent Dividend Growth: Kimberly-Clark raised its quarterly dividend to $1.28 per share in January 2026, marking 54 consecutive years of increases, demonstrating its commitment to shareholder returns even amid significant corporate transformation.
See More
Hershey Shifts to Earnings Expansion Amid Falling Cocoa Prices
- Hershey's Earnings Recovery: With cocoa prices plummeting 74% from their December 2024 peak, Hershey reported Q1 2026 net revenue of $3.10 billion, a 10.6% year-over-year increase, and gross margins expanded from 33.7% to 39.4%, indicating significant profitability improvement, with further enhancements expected in Q2.
- General Mills' Transformation Opportunity: Despite challenges from declining organic sales and rising costs, General Mills' dividend yield has risen to approximately 7%, and its pet food segment remains a stable growth engine within a mature product mix, with management reaffirming its commitment to a $0.61 per share quarterly dividend.
- Kimberly-Clark's Strategic Acquisition: Kimberly-Clark's $48.7 billion acquisition of Kenvue, expected to close in the second half of 2026, will consolidate brands like Kleenex and Huggies under one umbrella, marking a shift from a traditional tissue and diaper company to a global personal care and health brand platform.
- Stability in Consumer Goods Sector: These three companies continue to pay dividends amid market fluctuations, showcasing the long-term value of the consumer goods sector as wealth builders, particularly as investor demand for stable dividend yields increases in the face of economic uncertainty.
See More
Latest Wall Street Rating Updates
- Apple's Positive Outlook: Bank of America reiterates a buy rating on Apple, forecasting that iPhone revenues will exceed expectations in 2026 due to record upgraders and strong gross margins despite commodity pressures, indicating sustained competitiveness in the smartphone market.
- Roblox Demand Slowdown: Bank of America downgrades Roblox to neutral, citing a significant decline in platform demand; while acknowledging its ability to compress development costs, the uncertainty around the timeline for demand recovery may impact its market performance.
- CoreWeave Growth Potential: Citi reiterates CoreWeave as a buy, raising its price target from $126 to $155, estimating a quarterly growth of 35-40% in AI infrastructure, showcasing strong performance across a diversified customer base.
- Hershey's Positive Outlook: TD Cowen upgrades Hershey to buy, expressing confidence that the company will raise its 2026 guidance and return to volume growth in 2027, reflecting strong recovery potential in the confectionery market.
See More
Hershey CFO to Participate in Goldman Sachs Forum
- Executive Participation: Hershey's CFO Steve Voskuil will participate in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs Global Staples Forum on May 12, 2026, showcasing the company's leadership in the industry and likely attracting investor interest.
- Live Webcast Arrangement: The event will feature a live audio webcast available on Hershey's investor website, providing convenient access for investors to stay updated on the company's latest developments and enhancing transparency.
- Company Overview: Hershey employs over 20,000 people globally and generates more than $11.7 billion in annual revenue across 85 brands, demonstrating its strong presence and market influence in the snacks industry.
- Commitment to Social Responsibility: Since its founding, Hershey has maintained a commitment to fair, ethical, and sustainable practices, focusing on helping children succeed through equitable access to education, reflecting its deep sense of social responsibility.
See More
Hershey CFO to Participate in Goldman Sachs Forum
- Executive Participation: Hershey's CFO Steve Voskuil will participate in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs Global Staples Forum on May 12, 2026, highlighting the company's leadership in the industry.
- Live Webcast Arrangement: The event will be streamed live on Hershey's investor website, ensuring that investors can access the latest company updates in real-time, thereby enhancing transparency and investor confidence.
- Company Background Overview: The Hershey Company is a leading snacks company with over $11.7 billion in annual revenue, employing more than 20,000 people and offering over 85 brands across approximately 65 countries, showcasing its strong market presence.
- Commitment to Social Responsibility: Since its founding, Hershey has maintained a commitment to fair, ethical, and sustainable practices, focusing on helping children succeed through equitable access to education, reflecting the company's sense of social responsibility.
See More
Coca-Cola and Hershey Present Dividend Investment Opportunities
- Coca-Cola's Steady Income: Coca-Cola has maintained 64 consecutive years of dividend increases, generating $12.5 billion in free cash flow last year while paying nearly $11 billion in dividends, showcasing its robust capital-light business model and expected continued income for investors.
- Market Adaptability: Despite challenges from changing tastes, Coca-Cola's low/no-calorie beverages accounted for nearly one-third of global volume in 2024, with 32 brands each generating over $1 billion in annual sales, demonstrating its adaptability to diverse consumer demands.
- Hershey's Growth Potential: Despite being impacted by soaring cocoa prices, Hershey has maintained 96 years of consecutive dividend payments, generating $1.85 billion in free cash flow and paying $1.1 billion in dividends last year, with projected adjusted sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5% in 2026, indicating resilience in adversity.
- Brand Diversification Strategy: Hershey achieved a 7.9% organic sales increase in Q1, driven by strong demand for its candy and snack brands, with management focusing on meeting diverse consumer preferences across occasions, ensuring sustained growth in the future.
See More
Consumer Goods Giants Poised for Transformation Opportunities
- Hershey's Recovery: Hershey (HSY) has shown a strong recovery with Q1 2026 net revenue reaching $3.10 billion, a 10.6% year-over-year increase, and gross margin expanding from 33.7% to 39.4%, indicating robust earnings recovery potential after a painful cost crunch.
- General Mills Transformation: General Mills (GIS) is undergoing a transformation post-yogurt divestiture, focusing on its pet food segment, and despite facing organic sales declines, its dividend yield has risen to approximately 7%, providing a stable income opportunity for investors.
- Kimberly-Clark's Kenvue Acquisition: Kimberly-Clark (KMB) is acquiring Kenvue for $48.7 billion, expected to close in H2 2026, which will create a global personal care and health platform with enhanced pricing power across well-known brands, marking a significant strategic shift.
- Consistent Dividend Growth: Kimberly-Clark raised its quarterly dividend to $1.28 per share in January 2026, marking 54 consecutive years of increases, demonstrating its commitment to shareholder returns even amid significant corporate transformation.
See More
Hershey Shifts to Earnings Expansion Amid Falling Cocoa Prices
- Hershey's Earnings Recovery: With cocoa prices plummeting 74% from their December 2024 peak, Hershey reported Q1 2026 net revenue of $3.10 billion, a 10.6% year-over-year increase, and gross margins expanded from 33.7% to 39.4%, indicating significant profitability improvement, with further enhancements expected in Q2.
- General Mills' Transformation Opportunity: Despite challenges from declining organic sales and rising costs, General Mills' dividend yield has risen to approximately 7%, and its pet food segment remains a stable growth engine within a mature product mix, with management reaffirming its commitment to a $0.61 per share quarterly dividend.
- Kimberly-Clark's Strategic Acquisition: Kimberly-Clark's $48.7 billion acquisition of Kenvue, expected to close in the second half of 2026, will consolidate brands like Kleenex and Huggies under one umbrella, marking a shift from a traditional tissue and diaper company to a global personal care and health brand platform.
- Stability in Consumer Goods Sector: These three companies continue to pay dividends amid market fluctuations, showcasing the long-term value of the consumer goods sector as wealth builders, particularly as investor demand for stable dividend yields increases in the face of economic uncertainty.
See More
Latest Wall Street Rating Updates
- Apple's Positive Outlook: Bank of America reiterates a buy rating on Apple, forecasting that iPhone revenues will exceed expectations in 2026 due to record upgraders and strong gross margins despite commodity pressures, indicating sustained competitiveness in the smartphone market.
- Roblox Demand Slowdown: Bank of America downgrades Roblox to neutral, citing a significant decline in platform demand; while acknowledging its ability to compress development costs, the uncertainty around the timeline for demand recovery may impact its market performance.
- CoreWeave Growth Potential: Citi reiterates CoreWeave as a buy, raising its price target from $126 to $155, estimating a quarterly growth of 35-40% in AI infrastructure, showcasing strong performance across a diversified customer base.
- Hershey's Positive Outlook: TD Cowen upgrades Hershey to buy, expressing confidence that the company will raise its 2026 guidance and return to volume growth in 2027, reflecting strong recovery potential in the confectionery market.
See More
