Hershey Reports Third-Quarter 2025 Financial Results

HERSHEY, Pa., Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced net sales and earnings for the third quarter ended September 28, 2025 and updated its 2025 outlook range.

"Third quarter results surpassed expectations, as strong innovation, strategic brand investments, and market leading execution drove momentum across business segments," said Kirk Tanner, The Hershey Company President and Chief Executive Officer. "Based on our results year-to-date, we are raising our full year outlook for net sales and earnings per share."

"I am excited to steer the next generation of growth at the Company, working closely with our talented team members, valued customers, and the Board. Together, we'll focus on delighting consumers and delivering results as we unlock our full potential as a snacking industry leader."

Third-Quarter 2025 Financial Results Summary¹

• Consolidated net sales of $3,181.4 million, an increase of 6.5%.
• Organic, constant currency net sales increased 6.2%.
• Reported net income of $276.3 million, or $1.36 per share-diluted, a decrease of 38.2%.
• Adjusted earnings per share-diluted of $1.30, a decrease of 44.4%.

2025 Full-Year Financial Outlook

The Company is raising its net sales growth and reported earnings per share outlook, and raising its adjusted earnings per share outlook to the upper half of the previous range for the year. This guidance does not include the effects of our proposed acquisition of LesserEvil.

The Company also expects:

• Tariff expense, as understood today, to be approximately $160 million to $170 million;
• A reported effective tax rate of approximately 30% and an adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 26%, reflecting the changing global business and tax landscape;
• Other expense, which primarily reflects the write-down of equity investments that qualify for a tax credit, of approximately $30 million to $35 million;
• Interest expense of approximately $195 million;
• Capital expenditures of approximately $425 million; and
• Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative savings of approximately $150 million.

Below is a reconciliation of current projected 2025 and full-year 2024 earnings per share-diluted calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share-diluted:

Adjusted 2025 projected earnings per share-diluted, as presented above, does not include the impact of mark-to-market gains and losses on our commodity derivative contracts that are reflected within corporate unallocated expense in segment results until the related inventory is sold since we are not able to forecast the impact of the market changes.

Third-Quarter 2025 Components of Net Sales Growth

A reconciliation between reported net sales growth rates and organic, constant currency net sales growth rates, along with the contribution from net price realization and volume, is provided below:

The Company presents certain percentage changes in net sales on a constant currency basis, which excludes the impact of foreign currency exchange. To present this information for historical periods, current period net sales for entities reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the average monthly exchange rates in effect during the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, rather than at the actual average monthly exchange rates in effect during the current period of the current fiscal year. As a result, the foreign currency impact is equal to the current year results in local currencies multiplied by the change in the average foreign currency exchange rate between the current fiscal period and the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.

Third-Quarter 2025 Consolidated Results 

Consolidated net sales increased 6.5% to $3,181.4 million in the third quarter of 2025. Organic, constant currency net sales increased 6.2%, driven by net price realization of approximately 6 points. Volume was slightly positive in the quarter, in part reflecting the cadence of programming in North America Salty Snacks and the timing of shipments in the International segment. The impact of the Sour Strips acquisition was a 0.3 point benefit while the impact of foreign exchange was immaterial in the third quarter.

Reported gross margin was 32.6% in the third quarter of 2025, compared to 41.3% in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 870 basis points. Adjusted gross margin was 31.8% in the third quarter of 2025, a decrease of 850 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2024.  Reported and adjusted gross margin declines reflect higher commodity and tariff costs along with unfavorable mix, which more than offset net price realization, supply chain productivity and transformation program savings.

Selling, marketing and administrative expenses increased 1.5% in the third quarter of 2025 versus the third quarter of 2024, as higher incentive compensation and non-people operating costs were partially offset by efficiencies and transformation program net savings. Advertising and related consumer marketing expenses decreased 5.0% in the third quarter of 2025 versus the same period last year, as efficiencies in North America Confectionery were partially offset by increases in North America Salty Snacks and International. Selling, marketing and administrative expenses, excluding advertising and related consumer marketing, increased 5.0% versus the third quarter of 2024, as higher transformation program net savings were more than offset by higher incentive compensation expense, as well as consulting fees.

Third quarter 2025 reported operating profit was $434.6 million, a decrease of 29.1% versus the third quarter of 2024, resulting in a reported operating profit margin of 13.7%, a decrease of 680 basis points versus the prior year period. This decrease was driven by higher commodity and tariff costs and unfavorable mix, which was partially offset by net price realization, supply chain productivity and transformation program savings, and reduced business realignment and acquisition related expenses. Adjusted operating profit of $422.5 million decreased 35.4% versus the third quarter of 2024. Adjusted operating profit margin of 13.3% declined 860 basis points versus the third quarter of 2024, as higher commodity and tariff costs along with unfavorable mix more than offset net price realization, supply chain productivity, and transformation program net savings.

The reported effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2025 was 25.7%, an increase of 1,170 basis points versus the third quarter of 2024. The adjusted effective tax rate was 26.7%, an increase of 1,150 basis points versus the third quarter of 2024. Both the reported and adjusted effective tax rate increases were driven by a decrease in renewable energy tax credits versus the year-ago period.

The Company's third quarter 2025 results, as prepared in accordance with GAAP, included items negatively impacting comparability of $12.1 million, or $0.06 per share-diluted. For the third quarter of 2024, items positively impacting comparability totaled $40.8 million, or $0.14 per share-diluted.

The following table presents a summary of items impacting comparability in each period (see Appendix I for additional information):

The following are comments about segment performance for the third quarter of 2025 versus the prior year period. See the schedule of supplementary information within this press release for additional information on segment net sales and profit.

North America Confectionery

Hershey's North America Confectionery segment net sales were $2,615.6 million in the third quarter of 2025, an increase of 5.6% versus the same period last year. Organic, constant currency net sales increased 5.2%, driven by approximately 7 points of net price realization. Volume declined approximately 1 point reflecting strong performance of innovation and growth in core brands, which partially offset the impact of price elasticity.

Hershey's U.S. candy, mint and gum (CMG) retail takeaway for the 12-period ended September 28, 2025 in the multi-outlet plus convenience store channels (MULO+ w/ Convenience²) increased 5.4% versus the same prior year period. Hershey's CMG share performance remained largely consistent with the prior year period. Share momentum increased as the quarter progressed, as the Company continues to drive growth alongside customers.

The North America Confectionery segment reported segment income of $571.5 million in the third quarter of 2025, a decrease of 21.2% versus the prior year period, resulting in a segment margin of 21.8% in the quarter, a decrease of 750 basis points. The segment income and segment margin declines were driven by higher commodity and tariff costs and unfavorable mix, which were partially offset by net price realization, supply chain productivity and transformation program savings, and advertising and consumer marketing efficiencies during the third quarter.

North America Salty Snacks

Hershey's North America Salty Snacks segment net sales were $321.0 million in the third quarter of 2025, an increase of 10.0% versus the same period last year. Volume increased approximately 11 points, reflecting the timing of promotional programming, innovation, and media investments.  Net price realization was approximately 1 point lower, reflecting the timing of promotional programming versus the prior year period.

Hershey's U.S. salty snack retail takeaway for the 12-week period ended September 28, 2025 in MULO+ w/ Convenience³ increased 14.2% versus the prior year period. SkinnyPop ready-to-eat popcorn takeaway increased 7.7%, driven by velocity and the cadence of customer programming, supported by consumer advertising. SkinnyPop ready-to-eat share increased nearly 70 basis points during this period. Dot's Homestyle Pretzels achieved the #1 share position in the period as the brand continues to revitalize the pretzel category through core velocity and programming, along with innovation. Pirate's Booty retail sales increased 10.9% in the period, resulting in an approximate 40-basis point cheese snacks and puffs category share gain.

North America Salty Snacks segment income was $57.7 million in the third quarter of 2025, an increase of 6.9% versus the third quarter of 2024. This resulted in a segment margin of 18.0%, a decrease of 50 basis points versus the prior year period. The segment margin decline was driven by higher supply chain costs related to building multipack capabilities, which more than offset higher volume and reduced commodity costs.

International

Third quarter 2025 net sales for Hershey's International segment increased 12.1% versus the same period last year to $244.8 million. Price realization of approximately 7 points was in line with expectations reflecting strategic price increases across key markets. Volume increased approximately 6%, driven by double-digit growth in Brazil and a shift of shipments from the fourth quarter in Europe and Mexico, partially offset by the impact of price elasticity across markets.

The International segment reported a $13.6 million loss in the third quarter of 2025, a decrease of $27.8 million versus the prior year period driven by higher commodity and manufacturing costs, which more than offset higher sales, supply chain productivity and transformation program savings. This resulted in a segment margin of (5.6)%, a decrease of 1,210 basis points versus the prior year period.

Unallocated Corporate Expense

Hershey's unallocated corporate expense in the third quarter of 2025 was $193.1 million, an increase of $54.1 million, or 38.9%, versus the same period of 2024. This increase was mainly driven by higher incentive compensation costs and consulting fees.

Live Webcast

At approximately 7:00 a.m. (Eastern time) today, Hershey will post a pre-recorded management discussion of its third-quarter 2025 results and business update to its website at www.thehersheycompany.com/investors. In addition, at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern time) today, the Company will host a live question and answer session with investors and financial analysts. Details to access this call are available on the Company's website.

Note: In this release, for the third quarter of 2025, Hershey references income measures that are not in accordance with GAAP because they exclude certain items impacting comparability, including gains and losses associated with mark-to-market commodity derivatives, business realignment activities and acquisition and integration-related activities. The Company refers to these income measures as "adjusted" or "non-GAAP" financial measures throughout this release. These non-GAAP financial measures are used in evaluating results of operations for internal purposes and are not intended to replace the presentation of financial results in accordance with GAAP. Rather, the Company believes exclusion of such items provides additional information to investors to facilitate the comparison of past and present operations. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this release to their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income is provided below. 

In the assessment of our results, we review and discuss the following financial metrics that are derived from the reported and non-GAAP financial measures presented above:

Appendix I

Details of the charges included in GAAP results, as summarized in the press release (above), are as follows:

Derivative mark-to-market (gains) losses: The mark-to-market (gains) losses on commodity derivatives are recorded as unallocated and excluded from adjusted results until such time as the related inventory is sold, at which time the corresponding (gains) losses are reclassified from unallocated to segment income. Since we often purchase commodity contracts to price inventory requirements in future years, we make this adjustment to facilitate the year-over-year comparison of cost of sales on a basis that matches the derivative gains and losses with the underlying economic exposure being hedged for the period.

Business realignment activities: We periodically undertake restructuring and cost reduction activities as part of ongoing efforts to enhance long-term profitability. During the first quarter of 2024, we commenced the Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative to improve supply chain and manufacturing-related spend, optimize selling, general and administrative expenses, leverage new technology and business models to further simplify and automate processes, and generate long-term savings. During the third quarter of 2025 and 2024, business realignment charges related primarily to third-party costs supporting the design and implementation of the new organizational structure, as well as severance and employee benefit costs. 

Acquisition and integration-related activities: During the third quarter of 2025, we incurred costs related to the acquisition of the Sour Strips brand from Actual Candy, LLC into our North America Confectionery segment. During the third quarter of 2024, we incurred costs related to the 2023 acquisition of two manufacturing plants from Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing, Inc., and the integration of the 2021 acquisitions of Dot's Pretzels, LLC and Pretzels Inc. into our North America Salty Snacks segment. 

Tax effect of all adjustments: This line item reflects the aggregate tax effect of all pre-tax adjustments reflected in the preceding line items of the applicable table. The tax effect for each adjustment is determined by calculating the tax impact of the adjustment on the Company's quarterly effective tax rate, unless the nature of the item and/or the tax jurisdiction in which the item has been recorded requires application of a specific tax rate or tax treatment, in which case the tax effect of such item is estimated by applying such specific tax rate or tax treatment.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to our 2025 Full-year Financial Outlook and other statements regarding our business outlook and financial performance. Many of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "intend," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "strategy," "target" and similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like "could," "may," "might," "should," "will" and "would," among others. These statements are made based upon current expectations that are subject to risk and uncertainty. Because actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements when deciding whether to buy, sell or hold the Company's securities. Factors that could cause results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: disruptions or inefficiencies in our supply chain due to the loss or disruption of essential manufacturing or supply elements or other factors; issues, concerns or regulatory changes related to the quality and safety of our products, ingredients or packaging, human and workplace rights, and other environmental, social or governance matters; changes in raw material and other costs, along with the availability of adequate supplies of raw materials and the Company's ability to successfully hedge against volatility in raw material pricing; the Company's ability to successfully execute business continuity plans to address changes in consumer preferences and the broader economic and operating environment; selling price increases, including volume declines associated with pricing elasticity; market demand for our new and existing products; increased marketplace competition; failure to successfully execute and integrate acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures; changes in governmental laws, regulations and policies, including taxes and tariffs; political, economic, and/or financial market conditions, including with respect to inflation, rising interest rates, slower growth or recession, changes in the U.S. administration, and other events beyond our control such as the impacts on the business arising from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; risks and uncertainties related to our international operations; disruptions, failures or security breaches of our information technology infrastructure and that of our customers and partners (including our suppliers); our ability to hire, engage and retain a talented global workforce, our ability to realize expected cost savings and operating efficiencies associated with strategic initiatives or restructuring programs; complications with the design, implementation or usage of our new enterprise resource planning system, including the ability to support post-implementation efforts and maintain enhancements, new features or modifications; and such other matters as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 30, 2025 and June 29, 2025, and from time to time in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.

 

 

 

 

 

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SOURCE The Hershey Company