01—Abstract
Summary
Summary of the 8-K filed March 31, 2026. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) furnished an 8-K on March 31, 2026 reporting that it reaffirmed its 2026 full-year financial outlook in a press release (Exhibit 99.1).
The guidance calls for net sales growth of 4%a to 5%, organic net sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5%, reported earnings per share growth of 79% to 89%, and adjusted earnings per share growth of 30% to 35%. Net sales growth includes an approximate 150 basis point benefit from the 2025 acquisition of LesserEvil, LLC. The same day, the company hosted its 2026 Investor Day at the New York Stock Exchange, with a webcast beginning at 12:00 p.m.
ET. Management, led by President and CEO Kirk Tanner, said it will outline strategic priorities and a financial framework built around the theme "Lead Next Generation Snacking." The priorities are a next-generation portfolio and innovation strategy, a "One Hershey" commercial model spanning sweet, salty, and functional snacking, and a modern supply chain focused on productivity. Management also said it will lay out a path to restoring margin and earnings growth and sustaining balanced top- and bottom-line growth.
The presentation materials for the Investor Day are furnished as Exhibit 99.2. Under Items 2.02 and 7.01, the furnished information is not deemed "filed" under Section 18 of the Exchange Act. The filing's forward-looking statements caution that actual results may differ materially, citing risks including raw material costs, competition, tariffs, and execution of acquisitions and a new enterprise resource planning system.
02—Key points
Key Highlights
- Reaffirmed 2026 full-year outlook: net sales growth of 4% to 5% and organic net sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5%.
- Reaffirmed reported EPS growth guidance of 79% to 89% and adjusted EPS growth guidance of 30% to 35%.
- Net sales growth guidance includes an approximate 150 basis point benefit from the 2025 acquisition of LesserEvil, LLC.
- 2026 Investor Day held March 31, 2026 at the New York Stock Exchange, with a live webcast starting at 12:00 p.m. ET.
- Strategy centers on four priorities: Next Generation Portfolio and Innovation, the One Hershey Commercial Model, Modern Supply Chain and Productivity, and Differentiated Performance.
- Management plans to lay out a path to restoring margin and earnings and sustaining balanced top- and bottom-line growth, supporting top-tier shareholder returns.
- Investor Day presentation materials are furnished as Exhibit 99.2 and are not deemed filed under Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
03—Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What financial guidance did Hershey reaffirm for fiscal 2026?
Hershey reaffirmed net sales growth of 4% to 5%, organic net sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5%, reported earnings per share growth of 79% to 89%, and adjusted earnings per share growth of 30% to 35%.
How much does the LesserEvil acquisition contribute to net sales growth?
The net sales growth figure reflects an approximate 150 basis point benefit from the 2025 acquisition of LesserEvil, LLC.
What is the difference between reported and adjusted EPS guidance?
The filing gives reported EPS growth of 79% to 89% and adjusted EPS growth of 30% to 35%. It does not explain the difference between the two measures.
What strategic priorities did Hershey present at its 2026 Investor Day?
Management outlined four priorities: Next Generation Portfolio and Innovation, which expands premium and better-for-you options and accelerates salty and functional snacking; the One Hershey Commercial Model, which goes to market as one integrated team; Modern Supply Chain and Productivity, which uses automation and AI-enabled decision making; and Differentiated Performance, which aims to restore margin and earnings growth.
What risks does Hershey flag in the filing?
The forward-looking statements cite risks including raw material and other cost changes, selling price increases and pricing elasticity, marketplace competition, acquisition and integration execution, tariffs and regulatory changes, macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, international operations, information technology security, and implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system.
04—Continue