Hershey (NYSE:HSY) Issues FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday. 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 1.0%

Shares of NYSE HSY opened at $175.46 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $35.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The business has a 50-day moving average of $179.16 and a two-hundred day moving average of $196.70. Hershey has a 1 year low of $161.43 and a 1 year high of $239.48.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.90 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.47. Hershey had a return on equity of 31.92% and a net margin of 12.24%.The business had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.63 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.21 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Hershey has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.360-8.520 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Hershey will post 8.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Investors of record on Friday, August 14th will be issued a $1.452 dividend. This represents a $5.81 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. Hershey’s dividend payout ratio is 79.23%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HSY has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Hershey from $195.00 to $185.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a “market perform” rating and issued a $201.00 target price on shares of Hershey in a report on Friday. DA Davidson set a $190.00 target price on shares of Hershey in a research report on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $240.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “hold” rating and issued a $191.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research report on Friday. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and sixteen have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Hershey has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $204.06.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of Hershey 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 transaction, the chief financial officer directly 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 legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 0.08% of the company’s stock.

Key Hershey News

Here are the key news stories impacting Hershey this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Hershey reported second-quarter revenue of $2.79 billion, up 6.6% year over year and ahead of the $2.63 billion consensus estimate. Adjusted EPS of $1.90 exceeded expectations of $1.43 and rose sharply from $1.21 a year earlier, helped by pricing, margin recovery and supply-chain improvements. Hershey Reports Second-Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management tightened its 2026 outlook and raised the lower end of its expectations, forecasting revenue of approximately $12.2 billion to $12.3 billion and EPS of $8.36 to $8.52. Stronger salty-snack sales, including LesserEvil, and steady demand for Reese’s and Dot’s Pretzels supported the improved outlook. Hershey Reports Higher Q2 Sales and Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: The board maintained Hershey’s quarterly dividend at $1.452 per common share, supporting an annualized yield of roughly 3.3% at the recent share price. Hershey Declares Quarterly Dividends
• Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its price target from $191 to $193 but retained a Neutral rating, implying limited conviction despite potential upside from current levels. Brokerages overall continue to carry a consensus “Hold” recommendation.
• Negative Sentiment: Growth was driven largely by a reported 12% increase in prices, while volumes fell approximately 8%. Investors are concerned that continued pricing could weaken consumer demand and limit future growth, particularly in North American confectionery. Hershey Stock Drops as Earnings Beat Overshadows Volume Slide
• Negative Sentiment: Cocoa-cost volatility, supply-chain challenges in salty snacks and a cautious consumer environment remain risks. The company’s valuation also remains elevated relative to its recent earnings profile, increasing sensitivity to signs of weakening demand.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hershey

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC acquired a new position in Hershey in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. DV Equities LLC acquired a new position in Hershey in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Hershey during the 4th quarter worth $47,000. 57.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Hershey

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.