Hershey Co Stock Price, News & Analysis

The Reese's brand, a part of Hershey, has launched its first-ever Organic Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Available in both dark and milk chocolate, these cups are certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Rainforest Alliance Certified. Each 1.4 oz pack is priced at $1.99 and will hit shelves nationwide starting February 2021. This marks a significant step for the brand, aiming to cater to organic consumers while maintaining the iconic Reese's flavor. Additionally, Hershey is introducing other organic options, including milk chocolate bars.

At the 2021 CAGNY conference on February 17, The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) executives Michele G. Buck and Steven E. Voskuil discussed the company's strategic advancements and priorities for 2021. The presentation emphasized Hershey's focus on achieving sustainable, profitable growth while enhancing long-term shareholder value. For additional details, the presentation slides are available on their corporate website under the 'CALENDAR OF EVENTS' section.

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) has unveiled strategies aimed at enhancing its position in the better-for-you chocolate market. Key initiatives include expanding its portfolio with reduced sugar, organic, and plant-based options. The strategy emphasizes innovation, partnerships, and acquisitions to meet changing consumer demands. Notably, Hershey has partnered with ASR Group for an investment in Bonumose, focusing on plant-based sweeteners. This approach is expected to foster long-term growth in the healthy snack sector, catering to consumers' evolving preferences.

American Sugar Refining, part of ASR Group, has invested in Bonumose, Inc. to produce affordable, plant-based sweeteners like tagatose and allulose. This Series B investment, co-led by The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY), aims to meet growing consumer demand for healthier alternatives. Bonumose's patented process allows production from low-cost plant starches, yielding sugar-like taste and texture with fewer calories. ASR Group will serve as Bonumose's distributor in North America and Europe, enhancing its product offerings.

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) declared quarterly dividends of $0.804 on Common Stock and $0.731 on Class B Common Stock, payable on March 15, 2021. The dividend announcements mark the 365th consecutive dividend on Common Stock and the 146th for Class B shares, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to returning value to shareholders.

The Hershey Company (HSY) reported a strong performance in Q4 and full-year 2020 despite challenges, with net sales increasing 5.7% to $2,185.2 million in Q4 and 2.0% to $8,149.7 million for the year. Adjusted earnings per share for Q4 rose 16.4% to $1.49, contributing to a full-year EPS of $6.29, up 8.8%. The North America segment saw notable growth, while international sales decreased by 17.3% due to COVID-19 impacts. For 2021, Hershey anticipates sales growth of 2-4% and EPS growth of 6-8%, with sustained momentum in North America.

The Whatchamacallit brand, part of The Hershey Company, is launching the new Whozeewhatzit bar, which features a peanut butter crème layer with rice crisps, all covered in chocolate. Available in February 2021, the bar comes in two sizes: standard (1.5 oz, SRP $1.11) and king size (3 oz, SRP $1.66). This new product follows a fan-naming contest that received over 43,000 entries, with Lisa M. from Framingham, Mass., winning with her suggestion. The Hershey Company continues to deliver innovative snacks, and the Whozeewhatzit bar aims to captivate both new and existing customers.

The Hershey Company will announce its fourth-quarter sales and earnings results on February 4, 2021. A conference call with analysts is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET that day, which will be webcast live on the Hershey corporate website. For further details, viewers can visit the 'CALENDAR OF EVENTS' section of the website. This announcement continues Hershey's routine of transparency in financial reporting and provides insights crucial for investors and analysts.