Group 1: Film Production Details - The film "HERSHEY" tells the inspiring true story of Milton S. Hershey, founder of the Hershey Company and Milton Hershey School, featuring Finn Wittrock and Alexandra Daddario [6][7] - Directed by Mark Waters, the film spans nearly five decades of Hershey's life, from the early 1870s to the late 1910s, and was shot across 17 locations in Pennsylvania [6][7] - The production includes nearly 300 period-accurate principal costumes and over 2,000 background costumes, with contributions from over 1,500 background actors [6][7] Group 2: Production Companies and Collaborations - "HERSHEY" is produced by Dandelion Media in collaboration with the Hershey Entities, Aloe Entertainment, Peachtree Group, and RCM3 [3][7] - The screenplay is written by Sharon Paul and Timothy Michael Hayes, with a team of executive producers including Daniel Hank and Joseph Lanius [3][7] - Dandelion Media focuses on impactful storytelling and risk-mitigated independent film financing [8] Group 3: Hershey Entities Overview - The Hershey entities include The Hershey Company, Milton Hershey School, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company, The M.S. Hershey Foundation, and Hershey Trust Company, all dedicated to enriching lives and strengthening communities [9][10] - Milton Hershey's legacy extends beyond chocolate, emphasizing a commitment to helping children and families thrive through education and community support [10] Group 4: Future Release Plans - The film is planned for release in 2026, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States [6][7] - The production aims to celebrate imagination, generosity, and the joy of chocolate, highlighting Hershey's enduring spirit and message of kindness [7]

分组1: Realty Income - Realty Income is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns single-tenant net lease properties, with approximately 75% of its rents coming from the retail sector and the remainder from industrial assets and unique properties like casinos [3][4] - The REIT has a diverse tenant base of nearly 1,600 different tenants, which mitigates risks associated with individual retailers [4] - Realty Income has a strong track record, having increased its dividend annually for 30 consecutive years, and currently offers an attractive dividend yield of 5.6% [5] 分组2: Hormel Foods - Hormel Foods is a food manufacturer with a wide selection of packaged food brands, focusing on protein, and is recognized as a Dividend King with over 50 consecutive annual dividend increases [8][10] - The company currently offers a historically high dividend yield of around 3.8%, despite facing challenges such as rising costs and avian flu [9][10] - Hormel has a significant nonprofit shareholder, the Hormel Foundation, which influences its long-term business decisions to sustain dividend growth [11][12] 分组3: Hershey - Hershey is known for its iconic confection brands and a small portfolio of salty snack brands, with a solid dividend history, although its dividend growth is not consistent annually [8] - The company offers a dividend yield of approximately 3.2% and is currently facing headwinds due to rising cocoa prices [9][10] - The Hershey Trust, a major nonprofit shareholder, plays a crucial role in guiding Hershey's decisions to ensure long-term dividend growth [11][12] 分组4: Investment Strategy - The consumer goods sector offers various investment opportunities, with Realty Income serving as a stable foundational investment, while Hormel and Hershey present more aggressive options despite their current challenges [13][14] - The combination of Realty Income's stability with the potential recovery of Hormel and Hershey makes for an attractive investment strategy [13][14]

Core Insights - The Hershey Company is facing significant cost pressures due to rising cocoa prices and tariff impacts, potentially incurring up to $100 million in unmitigated costs per quarter in the latter half of 2025, with two-thirds of this risk linked to cocoa and Canadian tariffs [1][7] - Hershey is adopting a consumer-centric approach called demand shaping, focusing on lower-cocoa segments and utilizing pricing strategies to maintain consumer demand without overt price increases [2][4] - The company is also innovating to reduce reliance on cocoa-heavy inputs, with new product developments expected to support growth while managing cost pressures [3][4] Cost Management Strategies - Hershey is shifting its focus towards lower-cocoa products, such as sweets and salty snacks, which have shown strong growth [2] - The company is implementing price pack architecture to enhance value perception among consumers, particularly in value-sensitive retail channels [2][4] - Management is exploring sourcing strategies and tariff engagement as additional measures to mitigate costs [4] Financial Performance and Market Sentiment - Hershey's shares have increased by 12.2% over the past month, outperforming the industry growth of 9.7% and the broader Consumer Staples sector, which declined by 0.9% [5] - The stock is currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 27.68, higher than the industry average of 22.55, indicating market expectations of stability and resilience in navigating cost challenges [12] - Recent downward revisions in EPS estimates reflect cautious sentiment, with the consensus estimates for the current and next fiscal year declining slightly [15]

Over my long investing career, I have become a strong believer in the Dividend Yield Theory (DYT). DYT has been the source of many of my most successful investments and is now the main focus of my research. DYTTed Waller is a private investor who bought his first stock at age 13 (GTE) and has over 55 years of investing experience. His focus is on value and favorable risk/reward ratio, and special situations. Acquiring wealth is an incremental process that requires setting goals, adherence to principles, and ...

Investment Rating - The report indicates a solid total food sales growth of +2.8%/+3.2% year-over-year for the latest 4 weeks and 12 weeks, aligning with the long-term trend of low single-digit growth [1][6]. Core Insights - Total food sales growth is primarily driven by pricing, although there is a noted decline in volumes across most packaged food categories, with HSY being an exception due to pricing support [1][9]. - All companies within the coverage have lost market share in their top categories, indicating competitive pressures [1][10]. Department & Category Detail - Total food sales increased by +2.8% year-over-year in the latest 4 weeks, with private label products leading in most categories [2]. - Total equivalent (EQ) units decreased by -0.5% year-over-year, with branded products slightly outperforming private label products [2][5]. - Yogurt and packaged coffee showed the highest sales growth at +13.5% and +13.4% year-over-year, respectively, with private label sales growth strongest in snack/variety packs, meal combos, and packaged coffee [5][7]. Company Performance - CAG reported a sales decline of -1% year-over-year, driven by lower prices, while volumes remained flat [9]. - GIS experienced a -2% year-over-year sales decline, attributed to lower volumes [10]. - HSY saw a sales increase of +5% year-over-year, supported by higher prices and volumes [11]. - K reported a -3% year-over-year sales decline, primarily due to lower volumes [12]. - KHC's sales declined by -4% year-over-year, with lower volumes impacting performance [13]. - MDLZ reported a -1% year-over-year sales decline, driven by lower prices [14]. - SFD experienced a -1% year-over-year sales decline, although packaged lunchmeat showed strong growth [15].

Company Overview - The Hershey Company is an industry-leading snacks company generating over $11.2 billion in annual revenues, with a portfolio that includes iconic brands such as HERSHEY'S, Reese's, and Kit Kat® [6]. - Hershey operates in approximately 70 countries and employs more than 20,000 people worldwide [6]. Product Launch - The ONE x Hershey's Double Chocolate flavored protein bar is designed to meet the demand for convenient and nutritious snacks, combining real Hershey's cocoa and chocolate chips [1][2]. - This product aims to deliver a rich chocolate experience while catering to on-the-go lifestyles [1]. Marketing and Promotion - The launch is celebrated through a partnership with professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau, who endorses the product as a key part of his performance routine [2][3]. - The brand is initiating the "Double or ONEthing Challenge" to engage fans and promote the product, encouraging participation during a major golf championship [3][4]. Availability - The ONE x Hershey's Double Chocolate flavored protein bar is currently available in select markets, with plans for nationwide availability soon [5].

Film Production - Dandelion Media and Hershey Entities announced the full cast of the feature film "HERSHEY," which began principal photography on May 12, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and will continue through the end of June at various locations [1][2] - The film is directed by Mark Waters and stars Finn Wittrock as Milton Hershey and Alexandra Daddario as Catherine "Kitty" Hershey, with a supporting cast that includes notable actors such as Michael Moreland Milligan and Francesca Faridany [2][3] - "HERSHEY" is set to be released in 2026, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States, and aims to depict the life and legacy of Milton Hershey, focusing on his contributions to education and community [4][8] Company Background - Dandelion Media, founded by Sharon Paul and Mark Tilghman, focuses on producing impactful films and television series, emphasizing risk-mitigated independent film financing and storytelling [9] - Hershey Entities encompass several organizations, including The Hershey Company and Milton Hershey School, all of which reflect Milton Hershey's philosophy of contributing to the happiness and well-being of others [10] - Aloe Entertainment, led by Mary Aloe, is recognized for producing and financing independent films, with a diverse slate of upcoming projects [11] Industry Context - The film industry is increasingly focusing on biographical stories that highlight the lives of influential figures, as seen in the production of "HERSHEY," which aims to inspire audiences through the narrative of Milton Hershey's journey from failure to success [4][8] - The collaboration between Dandelion Media and Hershey Entities illustrates a trend of partnerships between film production companies and established brands to create content that resonates with audiences while promoting brand legacy [1][10]

Group 1: Company Overview - The Hershey Company is a consumer staples company primarily focused on food production, particularly in the snack sector, with a strong emphasis on chocolate products like Hershey and Reese's [2][5] - Despite economic fluctuations, consumer staples companies like Hershey tend to be resilient, as chocolate is viewed as an affordable indulgence [4] Group 2: Current Challenges - Hershey's share price has declined over 40% from its 2023 highs, indicating a significant downturn for the company [1] - The company is facing challenges due to soaring cocoa prices, which are impacting profit margins, leading to an expected adjusted earnings drop of around 35% [5] Group 3: Long-term Growth Potential - The Hershey Trust, which has voting control of the company, takes a long-term investment approach, allowing Hershey to focus on future growth despite short-term market pressures [6][9] - High commodity prices, such as cocoa, typically resolve over time, and Hershey is expected to manage costs and gradually increase prices to restore margins [7] - Hershey continues to diversify its business by acquiring new brands, such as Sour Strips and LesserEvil, to expand its market reach [8] Group 4: Investment Opportunity - The current downturn in share price presents a buying opportunity for growth investors, as demand for Hershey's core products remains solid [10] - The decline in share price has resulted in a historically high dividend yield of 3.5%, making it an attractive option for income investors as well [10]

Group 1: Industry Overview - Consumer staples companies are considered safe-haven investments due to their consistent demand regardless of economic conditions [1] - The average consumer staples stock yields around 2.5% today, with PepsiCo and Hershey offering higher yields [13] Group 2: PepsiCo Analysis - PepsiCo is the leading company in salty snacks with its Frito-Lay brand and has a significant presence in packaged foods through Quaker Oats [2] - Currently, PepsiCo is experiencing cooling top-line growth after inflation-driven growth post-pandemic, and is facing changing snacking trends [4] - The company has a strong history of increasing dividends for 53 years, demonstrating resilience through adversity [5] - PepsiCo is actively working on cost-cutting, improving efficiencies, and adjusting product offerings, including acquisitions of on-trend brands like Siete and Poppi [6] - The company offers a historically high dividend yield of 4.4%, providing investors with compensation while waiting for recovery [7] Group 3: Hershey Analysis - Hershey is the U.S. leader in the confections space, known for its iconic brand and the Reese's franchise, with a dividend yield of approximately 3.4% [8] - The company is currently facing significant challenges due to rising cocoa prices, which are expected to impact margins [9] - Despite the cocoa price challenges, Hershey maintains a dominant market position and plans to grow through acquisitions in non-chocolate confection and salty snack sectors [10] - The Hershey Trust's control allows the company to focus on long-term growth and reliable dividends, aligning with investor interests for sustainable income [11] - Investors may consider waiting for Hershey to navigate current cocoa market challenges while benefiting from its dividend yield [12]

Core Viewpoint - Hershey faces significant challenges due to rising cocoa prices and supply shortages, leading to a stock decline of over 40% in the past two years, but there are reasons for optimism regarding its future performance [1][4][12] Group 1: Challenges Faced by Hershey - Cocoa prices have surged from below $2,000 per metric ton in fall 2022 to around $10,000 per metric ton currently, significantly impacting margins [4][5] - The majority of cocoa is produced in countries like Ivory Coast, where crop yields have been affected by disease and adverse weather, contributing to the price increase [5] - Hershey's candy sales in North America accounted for 82% of its revenue in Q1 2025, but net sales fell 14% to $2.8 billion during the same period [5][6] Group 2: Reasons for Optimism - Hershey projects a net sales gain of at least 2% for 2025, indicating customer loyalty despite high cocoa prices [8] - The top three cocoa producers reported a 20% increase in supply this season, providing some relief to Hershey [8] - Hershey has maintained a dividend of $5.48 per share, with a 3.4% yield, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.3%, and has increased its dividend for 15 consecutive years [9][10] Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Despite challenges, Hershey generated over $1.9 billion in free cash flow in 2024, allowing it to sustain its dividend payments [10] - The stock trades at 20 times earnings, below its five-year average P/E ratio of 25, suggesting potential for recovery as cocoa shortages ease [11]