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Hershey Co.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 9 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Full-year sales rose 4.4%: Full-year 2025 net sales were $11,692.6 million, up 4.4%. Organic constant currency growth was 4.2%, with price up 6 points and volume/mix down 1 point. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EPS $6.31: Full-year 2025 adjusted diluted EPS was $6.31, down 32.7%. The October 2025 projection was $5.90 to $6.00. Source
  • Derivative losses explain most of gap: Full-year derivative mark-to-market losses of $423.2 million, or $2.08 per share, account for most of the difference between reported and adjusted EPS. Source
  • North America Confectionery sales up 5.3%: Segment net sales were $2,478.5 million. Segment income fell 10.7% to $722.0 million, with segment margin at 29.1%, down 520 basis points, on commodity and tariff costs and lower volume. Source
  • Salty Snacks sales up 28%, led by LesserEvil: Segment net sales rose 28.0% to $357.0 million. The LesserEvil acquisition added about 10 points, and organic volume grew about 14 points. Source
  • International posted a segment loss: Net sales rose 0.4% to $255.6 million on about 2 points of price, offset by about 4 points lower volume from shipment timing and elasticity. The segment loss was $31.6 million, a (12.4)% margin. Source
  • Gross margin fell on commodities, tariffs: Adjusted gross margin fell 650 basis points to 38.3%. Higher commodity costs, tariffs and lower volume, plus an inventory valuation timing effect, outweighed net price gains. Source
  • Elasticity cut North America volume: North America Confectionery volume fell about 5 points on price elasticity, partly offset by innovation and one extra shipping day, while net price added about 10 points. Source

“I’m proud of how our teams have navigated a challenging environment, demonstrating operational excellence, impactful innovation, and skillful execution that is driving real results.”

Kirk Tanner, The Hershey Company President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net sales growth Sourcefull-year 20264% to 5%New
Acquisition contribution to net sales growth Sourcefull-year 2026approximately 150 basis pointsNew
Reported EPS, diluted Sourcefull-year 2026$7.77 to $8.19 (growth of 79% to 89%)New
Adjusted EPS, diluted Sourcefull-year 2026$8.20 to $8.52 (growth of 30% to 35%)New
Effective tax rate Sourcefull-year 2026approximately 25% to 27% (reported and adjusted)New
Other expense Sourcefull-year 2026approximately $15 millionNew
Interest expense Sourcefull-year 2026$200 million to $210 millionNew
Capital expenditures Sourcefull-year 2026$425 million to $475 millionNew
Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative savings Sourcefull-year 2026approximately $100 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Full-year 2026 guidance was given for the first time, covering net sales, EPS, tax rate, interest, capital expenditures and savings. Source
  • Ended: The October 2025 full-year guidance is replaced by reported 2025 results in this release.
  • New: The LesserEvil acquisition, excluded from the October 2025 guidance as proposed, is now completed and included in 2025 results. Source
  • New: A non-cash goodwill impairment charge was recorded in 2025 for a reporting unit in the International segment. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Full-year sales rose 4.4%: Full-year 2025 net sales were $11,692.6 million, up 4.4%. Organic constant currency growth was 4.2%, with price up 6 points and volume/mix down 1 point. Source
  • Fourth-quarter sales rose 7.0%: Net sales rose 7.0% to $3,091.0 million. Organic constant currency growth of 5.7% reflected net price of about 9% and one extra shipping day, partly offset by volume declines. Source
  • Quarterly adjusted EPS fell 36.4%: Fourth-quarter adjusted diluted EPS was $1.71, down 36.4%, while reported diluted EPS was $1.57, down 59.9%. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EPS $6.31: Full-year 2025 adjusted diluted EPS was $6.31, down 32.7%. The October 2025 projection was $5.90 to $6.00. Source

Reported and adjusted results

  • Reported diluted EPS was $4.34: Full-year 2025 reported net income was $883.3 million, or $4.34 per diluted share, down 60.3%, against adjusted EPS of $6.31. Source
  • Derivative losses explain most of gap: Full-year derivative mark-to-market losses of $423.2 million, or $2.08 per share, account for most of the difference between reported and adjusted EPS. Source
  • Q4 items added $0.14 to EPS: Items positively affecting comparability totaled $84.4 million pre-tax, or $0.14 per share, in the fourth quarter. Source

“We are building the capabilities and brand investments that position us for continued success, with a focus on strengthening our foundation, improving profitability,”

Kirk Tanner, The Hershey Company President and Chief Executive Officer

Segments and regions

  • North America Confectionery sales up 5.3%: Segment net sales were $2,478.5 million. Segment income fell 10.7% to $722.0 million, with segment margin at 29.1%, down 520 basis points, on commodity and tariff costs and lower volume. Source
  • Salty Snacks sales up 28%, led by LesserEvil: Segment net sales rose 28.0% to $357.0 million. The LesserEvil acquisition added about 10 points, and organic volume grew about 14 points. Source
  • Salty Snacks segment margin rose: Segment income rose 38.1% to $75.3 million, a 21.1% margin, up 160 basis points, on higher volume, lower promotional spend and productivity. Source
  • International posted a segment loss: Net sales rose 0.4% to $255.6 million on about 2 points of price, offset by about 4 points lower volume from shipment timing and elasticity. The segment loss was $31.6 million, a (12.4)% margin. Source

Products and brands

  • Dot's Homestyle Pretzels growth: Dot's Homestyle Pretzels retail sales grew over 20% in the quarter, and the brand is described as the #1 pretzel brand. Source
  • SkinnyPop sales over 8%: SkinnyPop ready-to-eat popcorn retail sales rose over 8%, attributed to core velocity and innovation. Source
  • Pirate's Booty up about 3%: Pirate's Booty retail sales rose about 3%, a second consecutive quarter of growth, attributed to wider distribution and in-store programming. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin fell on commodities, tariffs: Adjusted gross margin fell 650 basis points to 38.3%. Higher commodity costs, tariffs and lower volume, plus an inventory valuation timing effect, outweighed net price gains. Source
  • Operating margin fell 700 basis points: Adjusted operating profit of $529.3 million fell 24.0%, giving an adjusted operating margin of 17.1%, down 700 basis points. Source
  • Advertising spend rose 4.2%: Advertising and related consumer marketing expense rose 4.2%, driven by investment in North America Salty Snacks and International. Source
  • Tax rate rose on fewer credits: The adjusted effective tax rate was 23.4%, against (13.7)% a year earlier, reflecting fewer renewable energy tax credits. Source

Demand and retail takeaway

  • Elasticity cut North America volume: North America Confectionery volume fell about 5 points on price elasticity, partly offset by innovation and one extra shipping day, while net price added about 10 points. Source
  • Candy takeaway rose 6.5%: U.S. candy, mint and gum retail takeaway rose 6.5% for the twelve weeks ended December 28, 2025, in line with category growth. Organic net sales trailed takeaway because some seasonal shipments moved into the first quarter of 2026. Source
  • Salty snack takeaway rose 15.6%: U.S. salty snack retail takeaway in MULO+ with Convenience rose 15.6% excluding LesserEvil, with share expansion of nearly 45 basis points. Source

Capital, cash and debt

  • Cash rose, long-term debt increased: Cash and cash equivalents were $925.9 million at year-end, up from $730.7 million, while long-term debt was $4,681.2 million, up from $3,190.2 million. Source
  • Interest expense rose 14.8%: Interest expense, net was $190.2 million for 2025, up 14.8% from $165.7 million in 2024. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Brand and capability investment continues: Management expects 2026 sales growth and gross margin recovery to more than offset higher strategic investment in brands, capabilities and technology, and higher interest expense. Source
  • Advancing Agility program costs: Business realignment costs were $7.8 million in the fourth quarter and $59.4 million for 2025, mainly third-party program costs and severance. Source
  • LesserEvil and Sour Strips integration costs: Acquisition and integration-related costs were $34.9 million in the fourth quarter and $40.0 million for 2025. Source

Corporate costs and people

  • Corporate expense rose on compensation: Unallocated corporate expense rose 20.9% to $236.3 million in the fourth quarter, driven by higher compensation costs and capability investments. Source
  • Selling and admin costs rose 12.1%: Selling, marketing and administrative expense rose 12.1%. Excluding advertising, that line rose 15.9%, mainly on compensation and benefit costs, partly offset by transformation savings. Source
  • Full-year corporate expense rose 16.1%: Full-year unallocated corporate expense was $767.9 million, up 16.1% from $661.3 million in 2024. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 February 2026

  • Seasonal shipments move into first quarter: Some seasonal shipments shifted from the fourth quarter into the first quarter of 2026, so organic net sales trailed retail takeaway. Source
  • First-quarter 2026 salty programming: Shipment timing tied to first-quarter 2026 programming was cited as a factor in North America Salty Snacks sales. Source
  • Cultural activations and advertising for 2026: Management said 2026 net sales growth will be supported by innovation, cultural and seasonal activations, and advertising levels. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
U.S. candy, mint and gum retail takeaway, 12 weeks to December 28, 2025 Source+6.5%
U.S. salty snack retail takeaway excluding LesserEvil, 12 weeks to December 28, 2025 Source+15.6%
North America Salty Snacks organic volume, fourth quarter Source+14 points
Total company organic volume/mix, fourth quarter Source(3)%

Risks management discussed

  • External: Higher commodity costs and tariffs reduced gross margin in the quarter. Source
  • Demand: Price elasticity drove volume declines in North America Confectionery and International. Source
  • Financial: The 2026 EPS projection excludes commodity derivative mark-to-market gains and losses, which management cannot forecast. Source
  • Regulatory: Fewer renewable energy tax credits raised the reported and adjusted effective tax rate. Source
  • Operational: A timing effect from the inventory valuation method also reduced gross margin in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Salty Snacks sales were reduced by a planned cut in sales to private label customers. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.