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Dec 31, 2023
Hershey Q4 2023 Earnings Report
Hershey's financial performance remained relatively stable with a slight increase in net sales, while facing challenges from rising cocoa prices and planned inventory reductions.
Key Takeaways
Hershey reported a slight increase in consolidated net sales for Q4 2023, but organic constant currency net sales decreased slightly. Net income and earnings per share both decreased compared to the prior year. The company is focusing on marketing, innovation, and productivity to drive growth amidst rising cocoa prices.
Consolidated net sales increased by 0.2% to $2,657.1 million.
Organic, constant currency net sales decreased by 0.1%.
Reported net income decreased by 11.5% to $349.0 million, or $1.70 per share-diluted.
Adjusted earnings per share-diluted remained flat at $2.02.
Revenue by Geographic Location
Forward Guidance
The company expects net sales growth of 2% to 3%, driven primarily by net price realization, and reported earnings per share to be relatively flat as higher cocoa and sugar costs as well as one-time expenses related to the Q2 ERP implementation and planned incremental cost savings initiatives are expected to more than offset higher sales, price realization, productivity, administrative efficiencies, and a lower tax rate.
Positive Outlook
- Net sales growth of 2% to 3% driven by net price realization
- Productivity improvements
- Administrative efficiencies
- Lower tax rate
- Focus on marketing and innovation to drive growth
Challenges Ahead
- Higher cocoa and sugar costs
- One-time expenses related to Q2 ERP implementation
- Planned incremental cost savings initiatives
- Flat adjusted earnings per share when excluding one-time costs
Historical Earnings Impact
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Avg. Return Before/After Earnings
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