Hershey Q4 2020 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
Hershey announced net sales and earnings for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020. The company delivered a strong quarter with continued share gains and volume growth. Consolidated net sales increased by 5.7%, and adjusted earnings per share increased by 16.4%. The company expects to deliver another year of balanced sales and earnings growth in 2021.
Consolidated net sales of $2,185.2 million, an increase of 5.7%.
Organic, constant currency net sales increased 6.3%.
Reported net income of $291.4 million, or $1.39 per share-diluted, an increase of 41.8%.
Adjusted earnings per share-diluted of $1.49, an increase of 16.4%.
Hershey
Hershey
Hershey Revenue by Segment
Forward Guidance
The company's 2021 outlook is provided in the context of greater than usual volatility associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. For 2021, the company expects performance in line with its long-term growth algorithm of 2–4% net sales growth and 6–8% earnings per share growth.
Positive Outlook
- Expects performance in line with its long-term growth algorithm of 2–4% net sales growth and 6–8% earnings per share growth.
- In the North America segment, the company expects recent performance and momentum to continue into the first quarter of 2021 due to sustained elevated sales of take home and seasonal chocolate, as well as additional marketplace share gains.
- In the International & Other segment, the company expects stabilizing sales trends across most markets.
- Sales growth and modest gross margin expansion are expected to enable business reinvestment while resulting in solid adjusted earnings per share growth.
Challenges Ahead
- Second quarter and second half results are expected to be moderate given strong 2020 performance.
- The pace and magnitude of recovery remains uncertain in the International & Other segment.
- Interest expense of approximately $130 million.
- Capital expenditures of approximately $550 million, driven by key initiatives including the company's ongoing ERP transformation and supply chain initiatives.
Revenue & Expenses
Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income