Core Insights - Hershey delivered strong third-quarter earnings, significantly exceeding Wall Street expectations, leading to an increase in full-year guidance [1][2][8] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share were $1.30, beating consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.24, or 22.6% [2] - Revenue reached $3.18 billion, surpassing the $3.12 billion estimate by $66 million [2] - Gross profit declined 15.8% year over year to $1.04 billion, with gross margin contracting by 870 basis points [5] - Operating income fell 29.1% to $434.6 million, and net income dropped 38.1% to $276.3 million [5] Business Segments Performance - North America Confectionery, the largest division, grew 5.6% to $2.62 billion [4] - North America Salty Snacks expanded 10% to $321 million [4] - International revenue climbed 12.1% to $244.8 million, indicating solid global demand [4] Strategic Insights - CEO Kirk Tanner emphasized that strong innovation and strategic brand investments drove momentum across business segments, indicating confidence in the company's strategy [3] - Despite margin pressures from higher commodity costs and tariffs, management raised full-year guidance, suggesting confidence in sustaining volume momentum and pricing actions [6][8]