Press Release Kaiseraugst (Switzerland), Maastricht (Netherlands), July 31, 2025 Management Report H1 2025 highlights Key figures | in € millions | H1 2025 | H1 2024 | % Change | Q2 2025 | Q2 2024 | % Change | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Sales | 6,510 | 6,298 | 3 | 3,236 | 3,227 | 0 | | Organic sales growth (%) | 7 | | | 6 | | | | Adj. EBITDA | 1,260 | 976 | 29 | 610 | 513 | 19 | | Adj. EBITDA margin (%) | 19.4 | 15.5 | | 18.9 | 15.9 | | | Net profit (total group) | 541 | 50 | 982 | | | | ...

Hershey and Mondelez are combining two of their top-selling products—the Reese’s peanut butter cup and the Oreo cookie—in a sugary marriage they say consumers have been begging for https://t.co/NfurOcOQMX https://t.co/UzKs4JZQZP ...

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Hershey beating on the top and bottom lines despite raising estimates estimated sorry fullear costs of tariffs to between 170 and 180 from between 15 and 20 million. A bittersweet earnings call for CEO Michelle Buck planning to step down very soon August 18th joining us exclusively on CNBC for a final broadcast interview as Hershey CEO. Michelle Buck, welcome.It's good to have you. It's it's been good to have you throughout, you know, your tenure as as CEO, Michelle, but just on on this current quarter, I'm ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The second quarter results met expectations with an improvement in year-over-year top line performance [4] - A noncash impairment charge of $9.3 billion was recorded due to a sustained decline in stock price, affecting the carrying value of intangible assets [16][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In emerging markets, top line growth was approximately 8% driven by both price and volume, with the highest operating income margin ever achieved [28] - North America retail showed a decline of 2.7% in the latest four weeks, excluding cold cuts and bacon, with year-to-date decline at 4% [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing challenges in North America retail, but improvements are noted in other segments, particularly in emerging markets [28][29] - Inflation is expected to be around 5% to 7% for the year, with pricing actions taken to mitigate impacts [26][50] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on unlocking long-term shareholder value through strategic evaluations and investments in product superiority and manufacturing capabilities [4][10] - Continued investment in marketing and product innovation is planned, with a target of reaching 4.8% of net sales by the end of 2025 [22][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strategy and ongoing investments, emphasizing a disciplined approach to financial management [10][31] - The company is optimistic about growth opportunities in emerging markets and is committed to driving improvements in North America retail [28][30] Other Important Information - The company is actively expanding its brand growth system, which is expected to impact 40% of the business by the end of the year [46] - Significant product renovations are underway, with expectations of a 20% market increase year-over-year in the second half [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Strategic transactions and potential business separation - Management is evaluating strategic options to unlock long-term value while maintaining financial discipline [10][11] Question: Details on impairment charge - A $9.3 billion noncash impairment charge was recorded due to a decline in stock price, which was anticipated [16][17] Question: Pricing and promotion levels - The company is investing in pricing and marketing, with a 100 basis point increase in pricing year-over-year and a 30 basis point increase in marketing [22][26] Question: Sales trends in emerging markets - Emerging markets saw an 8% top line growth, with confidence in achieving double-digit growth by year-end [36][38] Question: Timing of inflation and promotions - The impact of inflation and promotions pushed from Q2 to Q3 is estimated at 30 to 40 basis points [40][41] Question: Organic sales growth in North America Retail - The company is focused on stabilizing North America retail through investments in product superiority and marketing [46][48] Question: Gross margin outlook and inflation - Inflation is expected to remain at 5% to 7%, with a 100 basis point impact from tariffs anticipated [50][51] Question: Pace of innovation - Innovation as a percentage of sales increased from 1.6% in 2022 to 3% by the end of last year, with plans for further growth [65][66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The second quarter results met expectations with an improvement in year-over-year top line performance [4] - A noncash impairment charge of $9.3 billion was recorded due to a sustained decline in stock price, affecting the carrying value of intangible assets [16][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In emerging markets, the top line grew approximately 8% driven by both price and volume, with the highest operating income margin ever achieved [28] - North America retail showed a decline of 2.7% in the latest four weeks, excluding cold cuts and bacon, with year-to-date performance down 4% [29] - Significant investments are being made in product renovations and marketing, particularly in key brands like mac and cheese, lunchables, and mayo [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing challenges in North America retail, which is seen as a gating factor for overall growth [45] - Inflation is expected to be around 5% to 7% for the year, with pricing actions being taken to mitigate impacts [52] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on unlocking long-term shareholder value through strategic evaluations and investments in product superiority and manufacturing capabilities [4][10] - Continued investment in marketing is planned, aiming for 4.8% of net sales by the end of 2025, the highest level in nearly a decade [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strategy and ongoing investments, emphasizing a disciplined approach to financial management [10][11] - The company is optimistic about growth in emerging markets and is committed to driving improvements in North America retail through strategic investments [28][30] Other Important Information - The company is actively expanding its brand growth system, which is expected to impact about 40% of the business by the end of the year [48] - The company is also focusing on innovation, with a goal to increase the percentage of sales from new products from 3% to a higher level [66][67] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on strategic transactions and potential business separation - Management is evaluating strategic options to unlock long-term value while maintaining financial discipline [10][11] Question: Details on the sizable impairment recorded - A $9.3 billion noncash impairment charge was due to a sustained decline in stock price affecting intangible assets [16][17] Question: Pricing and promotion levels - The company is investing in pricing and marketing, with a 100 basis point increase in pricing year-over-year and an additional 30 basis points in marketing [22][24] Question: Sales trends in emerging markets - Emerging markets saw an 8% top line growth, with confidence in achieving double-digit growth rates [36][38] Question: Impact of inflation and promotions on quarterly performance - The impact of inflation and promotions pushed from Q2 to Q3 is estimated to be around 30 to 40 basis points [40][41] Question: Organic sales growth in North America Retail - The company is focused on stabilizing and improving North America retail performance through strategic investments [45][48] Question: Gross margin outlook and inflation - Inflation is expected to remain high, with a significant impact from tariffs anticipated [52][53] Question: Confidence in investment plans amid volume declines - The company maintains a disciplined approach to investments and is expanding its brand growth system to drive improvements [59][60] Question: Pace of innovation and future goals - Innovation as a percentage of sales has increased from 1.6% to 3%, with plans to continue driving this upward [66][67]

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Fast Casual Concepts, Inc. Announces Strategic Business Move into the Marketing Industry SHERIDAN, Wyo., July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fast Casual Concepts, Inc. (OTC: FCCI) ("Company") announces that it has shifted its business direction from the food industry to the marketing industry. The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, GDS Lumina, Inc., is ...

Group 1: Tariff Impact on Companies - Companies are warning that tariffs will raise costs by hundreds of millions of dollars as the deadline for higher import taxes approaches [1] - Stanley Black & Decker expects an annualized hit of $800 million from tariff-related policy changes [2] - Conagra Brands anticipates a 3% increase in the cost of goods sold due to higher tariffs, translating to over $200 million annually [2] Group 2: Specific Company Effects - Tesla reports an increase in costs tied to tariffs of approximately $300 million, with two-thirds related to its auto business [3] - General Motors experienced a $1.1 billion hit to earnings before interest and taxes attributed to the net effect of tariffs [4] - The impact of steel and aluminum tariffs is also affecting companies like Conagra Brands, despite most of their production being in the U.S. [3]

Hershey and Mondelez are combining two of their top-selling products—the Reese’s peanut butter cup and the Oreo cookie—in a sugary marriage they say consumers have been begging for https://t.co/JzoLRi2WMP ...

Backing from candy giant Mars may be just what Hotel Chocolat needs to finally gain a foothold in the US market after two prior attempts fizzled out https://t.co/cS7PmL1D1x ...