Jim Cramer takes a bite out of Hershey's chart

Core Viewpoint - Hershey's stock has experienced a significant decline, dropping from a high of $196 to around $169, with further declines following disappointing earnings reports and cautious management outlooks [2][4][10]. Financial Performance - Hershey reported net sales of $3.18 billion, a 6.5% year-over-year increase, surpassing Wall Street's expectation of $3.12 billion [7]. - Organic sales growth was 6.2%, primarily driven by price increases, exceeding the analyst expectation of 3.6% [8]. - Adjusted gross margin fell to 31.8%, down 85 basis points year-over-year, attributed to higher commodity and tariff costs [8][9]. - Earnings per share were $1.30, down 44% year-over-year but better than the anticipated $1.07 [9]. Management and Strategic Changes - A new CEO, Kirk Tanner, took over in mid-August, bringing experience from Wendy's and PepsiCo [5]. - Management raised the full-year earnings forecast slightly, increasing the low end by 9 cents, which was viewed as disappointing given the earnings beat [10][11]. - The management's cautious tone during the earnings call indicated challenges in the Halloween season and a slower-than-expected start [11][12]. Market Reaction and Analyst Sentiment - The stock has been volatile, with significant sell-offs following earnings reports, reflecting investor concerns about the company's future [14]. - Analysts have begun to upgrade the stock, citing reduced uncertainty and potential moderation in cocoa prices as 2026 approaches [16]. - Despite the current challenges, there is a belief that the stock may be close to a bottom, with potential for future growth under new leadership [19].