Hershey Third-Quarter Net Sales Rise 3% to $3.28 Billion as Net Income More Than Doubles to $580.8 Million
HERSHEY, Pennsylvania — The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) on October 29 announced results for the third quarter ended September 27, 2026, reporting consolidated net sales of $3,275.5 million, up 3.0%, and reported net income of $580.8 million, or $2.88 per diluted share, up 111.8%.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $2.64, up 103.1%. Organic, constant-currency net sales rose 0.8%, as roughly 11 points of pricing more than offset an approximately 10-point decline in volume, which the company attributed to elasticity in North America Confectionery and International, shipment timing and planned portfolio changes. The acquisition of LesserEvil contributed 2.1 points to sales growth.
Reported gross margin was 46.1%, up 1,350 basis points, driven by pricing, derivative mark-to-market gains, productivity savings, tariff refunds and lower net commodity costs. Adjusted gross margin was 42.7%, and reported operating profit rose 88.1% to $817.7 million. Adjusted results included about $0.22 per share from tariff refunds received in the third quarter.
By segment, North America Confectionery net sales were $2,656.5 million, up 1.6%; North America Salty Snacks sales rose 22.3%, including about 20 points from the LesserEvil acquisition; and International sales fell 7.5%. For the first nine months, net sales were $9,167.0 million, up 6.6%, with reported net income of $1,473.6 million.
Hershey raised its full-year 2026 outlook: net sales growth of about 5%, reported EPS growth of 84% to 90%, and adjusted EPS growth of 36% to 38.5%, for adjusted EPS of $8.58 to $8.74. The outlook does not include potential future tariff refunds.
President and Chief Executive Officer Kirk Tanner said the third-quarter results show steady progress on the company's 2026 priorities, that second-half demand creation initiatives are gaining momentum even as consumers grow more cautious, and that the company remains on track to deliver solid sales growth, a meaningful recovery in margin and earnings, and disciplined investment.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 位于美国宾夕法尼亚州 Hershey 市的好时巧克力世界（Hershey's Chocolate World）入口（公司总部所在地，资料图）。Phillyfan0419 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The entrance to Hershey's Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where the company is headquartered (file photo). Photo by Phillyfan0419, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
