Core Insights - Hershey plans to implement a double-digit price increase across its confection portfolio due to rising cocoa costs [1][4] - The price increase is not influenced by tariffs or trade policies, but rather reflects the reality of escalating ingredient costs, particularly cocoa [2] - Cocoa prices have experienced significant fluctuations, reaching a record high in December due to supply issues in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, although they have recently fallen to an eight-month low [4] Company Actions - During a quarterly earnings call, Hershey's CEO indicated that the company is adjusting pack sizes and pricing to manage high input costs, particularly for seasonal items, which will result in higher prices in the second and third quarters [5]

Cost Pressure - Hershey is increasing candy prices due to historically high cocoa costs [1] Pricing Strategy - The company is responding to rising input costs by adjusting prices [1]

Company Performance - Hershey's stock closed at $162.91, reflecting a -1.21% change from the previous day, underperforming the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.4% [1] - Over the past month, Hershey's shares have declined by 3.23%, compared to a loss of 1.24% in the Consumer Staples sector and a gain of 4.97% in the S&P 500 [1] Upcoming Earnings - Hershey is set to disclose its earnings on July 30, 2025, with projected earnings of $1 per share, indicating a year-over-year decline of 21.26% [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is $2.52 billion, representing a 21.35% increase from the previous year [2] Full Year Estimates - For the full year, earnings are projected at $5.88 per share, reflecting a -37.25% change from the previous year, while revenue is estimated at $11.5 billion, showing a +2.64% change [3] - Recent analyst estimate revisions suggest evolving short-term business trends, with positive revisions indicating a favorable business outlook [3][4] Valuation Metrics - Hershey has a Forward P/E ratio of 28.05, which is higher than the industry average of 22.77 [6] - The current PEG ratio for Hershey is 6.09, compared to the average PEG ratio of 4.5 for Food - Confectionery stocks [7] Industry Context - The Food - Confectionery industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector and currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 213, placing it in the bottom 14% of over 250 industries [8] - The Zacks Industry Rank indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [8]

Group 1 - Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner is stepping down after approximately 14 months in his role and will become the CEO of The Hershey Company starting August 18 [2][4] - Tanner succeeds Michele Buck, who has been CEO of The Hershey Company for seven years and will assist Tanner in a senior advisory role during the transition [4] - Wendy's has appointed Ken Cook, the current CFO, as interim CEO while searching for a permanent replacement [5] Group 2 - Wendy's is facing challenges, including a nearly 31% decline in stock value since the beginning of the year, attributed to fewer sales [8] - Analysts indicate that Tanner's departure comes at a difficult time for Wendy's, as the chain has underperformed compared to its peers [7] - The Hershey Company is also experiencing increased costs due to tariffs and high cocoa prices, although analysts believe significant changes are not necessary for stabilization [10]

Group 1: Leadership Changes - Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner is leaving the company after just over a year to take the CEO position at Hershey [1][3] - Tanner will depart Wendy's on July 18, and CFO Ken Cook has been appointed as interim CEO while a search for a permanent replacement is underway [3] Group 2: Company Performance - Wendy's has been experiencing muted sales, with its stock down nearly 31% this year, indicating challenges in growth initiatives [1][4][7] - The company is set to report its second quarter results on August 8 [3] Group 3: Hershey's Situation - Hershey announced Tanner's appointment as it faces higher tariff-related costs and elevated cocoa prices amid consumer spending uncertainty [4][8] - Hershey is expected to report its earnings on July 30 [9] Group 4: Analyst Insights - Analysts suggest that Tanner's experience at PepsiCo will be beneficial for Hershey as it navigates current challenges [9] - Wendy's underperformance compared to key peers indicates that its growth initiatives have not yet gained meaningful traction [4][7]

Group 1 - Kirk Tanner has been appointed as the new CEO of The Hershey Company, effective August 18, replacing Michele Buck who is retiring after nearly 20 years at Hershey, including almost eight as CEO [1][3] - Tanner has over 30 years of experience at PepsiCo, where he led the North American beverages unit, and his move to Hershey signifies a return to the consumer packaged goods sector [2] - Mary Kay Haben, chair of Hershey's CEO search committee, praised Tanner as a high-impact leader with extensive experience in snacks, beverages, M&A, and innovation, making him well-suited to lead Hershey [3] Group 2 - Wendy's has appointed Ken Cook, the current CFO, as interim CEO when Tanner steps down on July 18, 2024, while the board searches for a permanent replacement [4]

Leadership Change - Hershey appointed Kirk Tanner, the current CEO of Wendy's, as its next president and CEO [1]

Company Overview - The Hershey Company is an industry-leading snacks company generating over $11.2 billion in annual revenues and operating in approximately 70 countries with a workforce of more than 20,000 employees [4]. - The company's portfolio includes well-known chocolate and confectionery brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, and popular salty snacks like SkinnyPop and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels [4]. Leadership Transition - Kirk Tanner has been appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hershey Company, bringing extensive experience from his previous role as CEO of PepsiCo Beverages North America, where he oversaw a $28 billion business [1][2]. - Tanner's leadership is expected to focus on core brand growth, innovation, operational excellence, and accelerating new unit growth globally [2]. - Mary Kay Haben, Lead Independent Director, praised Tanner's proven leadership in driving growth in complex global businesses and his commitment to engaging with employees, the community, and stockholders [3]. Strategic Vision - Tanner emphasized the importance of understanding and delighting consumers, building strong partnerships with customers, and investing in colleagues as the three pillars that will guide Hershey's strategic decisions [3]. - The company aims to advance its ambition of becoming a Leading Snacking Powerhouse, leveraging Tanner's experience in snacks, beverages, M&A, and innovation [3]. Legacy and Future Direction - The previous CEO, Michele Buck, was recognized for her exceptional leadership and for guiding Hershey through multiple phases of transformational growth, leaving a legacy that positions the company well for the future [3]. - Tanner expressed his honor in leading a company he has long admired and his commitment to making a difference with beloved brands [3].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that Hershey (HSY) is well-positioned to continue its earnings-beat streak in the upcoming report, supported by a history of exceeding earnings estimates [1][5] - Hershey has an average surprise of 10.38% over the past two quarters, indicating strong performance relative to expectations [1][5] - The last reported quarter showed earnings of $2.09 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.94 per share by 7.73% [2] Group 2 - The previous quarter's earnings were $2.69 per share against an expectation of $2.38 per share, resulting in a surprise of 13.03% [2] - There has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Hershey, with a positive Earnings ESP of +11.13%, suggesting analysts are optimistic about its near-term earnings potential [5][8] - The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) indicates a high likelihood of another earnings beat, with historical data showing nearly 70% success in similar scenarios [6][8]

Company Overview - Hershey Co. is positioned as a strong dividend growth stock, with a focus on domestic production to mitigate risks from international tariffs and geopolitical issues [4][5] - The company operates 14 plants in the U.S. and has additional facilities in Brazil, India, Canada, and Mexico, which provides insulation against potential retaliatory tariffs [4][5] Financial Performance - Cocoa prices, which account for approximately 20% of Hershey's cost of goods sold, have been volatile, impacting stock performance [7] - Hershey's stock is down about 1.4% this year, while the S&P 500 has gained approximately 4.4% [8] - Despite rising cocoa prices, they are forecasted to decline by 13% in 2026, which could benefit Hershey in the long term [8] Product Strategy - Hershey is adapting to changing consumer preferences by launching new products that reduce reliance on chocolate, such as the Reese peanut-butter-filled pretzels [11] - The company has made strategic acquisitions, including two plants from Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing, to diversify its product offerings and mitigate cocoa price fluctuations [11] Cost Management - Hershey is implementing a two-year restructuring plan aimed at saving $300 million through automation and streamlined production, which has positively impacted free cash flow [12] - The increase in free cash flow has enabled a 32% boost to Hershey's dividend in 2024, highlighting the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders [12][13] Dividend Outlook - Hershey's current dividend yield is 3.3%, which is more than double the S&P 500 average, with a focus on payout growth as a key investment driver [13] - The stock's price has historically tracked the dividend payout, suggesting potential for a "snap back" in stock performance as cocoa prices retreat and cost-cutting measures take effect [13][14] Market Stability - Hershey is characterized by low volatility, with a five-year beta rating of 0.28, indicating it is less volatile than the S&P 500, making it an attractive option in uncertain market conditions [14]