Hershey reported October 29 that third-quarter net income rose to $580.8 million, or $2.88 per diluted share, as pricing and cost improvements more than offset lower sales volume.
Revenue increased 3% to $3.276 billion for the quarter ended September 27. Organic sales at constant currencies rose 0.8%, with roughly 11 percentage points of pricing benefit offset by approximately 10 points of lower volume.
The company attributed the volume decline to consumer responses to prices, shipment timing and planned international portfolio changes. The LesserEvil acquisition contributed 2.1 points to reported growth.
Adjusted earnings per share rose 103.1% to $2.64. Reported and adjusted results differ because the latter exclude specified items, including derivative valuation effects.
Hershey said pricing, productivity savings, tariff refunds and lower net commodity costs supported margins. North American confectionery revenue grew 1.6%, while salty-snack revenue increased 22.3%, largely reflecting LesserEvil. International sales fell 7.5%.
Management now forecasts approximately 5% annual sales growth and adjusted earnings-per-share growth of 36%–38.5%. The outlook excludes potential future tariff refunds and remains a projection.
Sources: Hershey — October 29 Results: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hershey-reports-third-quarter-2026-financial-results-302922691.html