Hershey Beats Estimates and Projects Higher 2026 Earnings on Resilient Snack Demand
Hershey shares rose today after the company issued a strong 2026 outlook. Resilient demand for salty snacks helped counter the impact of high cocoa costs.
Insights:
The Hershey Company announced its full-year 2026 financial guidance on February 5, 2026, forecasting net sales growth of 4% to 5% and adjusted earnings per share in the range of $8.20 to $8.52. These projections exceeded Wall Street estimates and prompted a rise in the company's shares during premarket trading in the US 
US. The company attributed the positive outlook to resilient demand and the impact of prior price increases across its product lines.
US. The company attributed the positive outlook to resilient demand and the impact of prior price increases across its product lines.A primary driver of the reported revenue strength was Hershey’s North America salty snacks unit, which saw a 28% jump in sales. This segment, featuring brands such as SkinnyPop and Dots Pretzels, contributed significantly to the overall performance of The Hershey Company . However, the company also reported that soaring cocoa costs have materially compressed its gross margin. These cost increases are linked to supply disruptions in West Africa, a region that accounts for approximately 70% of global cocoa output.
