Hershey (NYSE: HSY) Q1 2026 earnings surge on pricing and margin gains

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

The Hershey Company delivered a very strong first quarter of 2026, with sharply higher profits driven mainly by pricing. Net sales rose to $3.10 billion, up 10.6% from a year ago, led by higher prices in North America Confectionery and the LesserEvil acquisition in salty snacks.

Net income almost doubled to $435.1 million, while diluted EPS climbed to $2.13 from $1.10. Gross margin expanded from 33.7% to 39.4% as pricing, mix and productivity savings more than offset higher commodity and tariff costs. Operating profit jumped 73.5% to $640.7 million.

North America Confectionery sales grew 8.3%, powered by about 12% favorable price realization despite lower volume. North America Salty Snacks sales increased 26.0%, largely from the LesserEvil acquisition and volume growth. The company continues to invest in marketing and technology while executing its Advancing Agility & Automation cost-savings program and managing tariff and commodity volatility.

Insights

Equity analyst – consumer staples

Hershey posts robust Q1 with strong pricing, margin and EPS growth.

Hershey grew Q1 2026 net sales to $3.10B, up 10.6%, mainly from higher pricing in North America Confectionery and the addition of LesserEvil in salty snacks. Volume was modestly lower in confectionery but up in salty snacks.

Gross margin expanded to 39.4% from 33.7% as price, mix and productivity savings outweighed higher commodity and tariff costs. Operating profit rose to $640.7M, a 73.5% increase, while diluted EPS nearly doubled to $2.13, reflecting strong operating leverage.

The Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative delivered net savings and lower realignment charges, with cumulative costs of $190.3M toward an estimated $200–250M through 2026. Management highlights ongoing headwinds from cocoa, tariffs and geopolitical risk, but Q1 performance shows substantial pricing power and cost discipline.

Key Figures

Net sales: $3,104.2M Net income: $435.1M Diluted EPS: $2.13 +5 more

8 metrics

Net sales $3,104.2M Three months ended March 29, 2026; up 10.6% year over year

Net income $435.1M Q1 2026; 94.1% increase vs. Q1 2025

Diluted EPS $2.13 Three months ended March 29, 2026; up 93.6% year over year

Gross margin 39.4% Q1 2026 vs. 33.7% in Q1 2025

Operating profit $640.7M Three months ended March 29, 2026; 73.5% increase

North America Confectionery sales $2,489.9M Q1 2026 segment net sales; up 8.3% year over year

North America Salty Snacks sales $350.1M Q1 2026 segment net sales; 26.0% growth vs. prior year

Advancing Agility & Automation cumulative cost $190.3M Total costs incurred since inception through March 29, 2026

Key Terms

Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative, mark-to-market losses on commodity derivatives, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Global Anti-Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Pillar Two, +1 more

5 terms

Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative financial

"the Board of Directors of the Company approved a multi-year productivity initiative (“Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative” or "AAA Initiative")"

mark-to-market losses on commodity derivatives financial

"Unallocated mark-to-market losses on commodity derivatives | 30,184"

One Big Beautiful Bill Act regulatory

"On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) was signed into law."

A "one big beautiful bill act" is a single, large piece of legislation that bundles many policy changes and measures into one package instead of passing them separately. For investors, it matters because such omnibus bills can swiftly change tax rules, spending levels, industry regulations or subsidies all at once—like a single shopping cart that suddenly adds many items to a household budget—creating broad, rapid shifts in company costs, revenues and market expectations.

Global Anti-Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Pillar Two regulatory

"introduced Global Anti-Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Pillar Two regulations which aim to ensure that multi-national entities"

segment income financial

"For segment reporting purposes, the CODM uses “segment income” to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources"

Segment income is the profit or loss attributed to a specific business unit, product line, or geographic area after the direct revenues and expenses for that part are counted. Think of it like checking how much each store in a chain actually earns after its own costs; it helps investors see which parts of a company are driving profits, which are dragging performance, and where future growth or cuts might matter.

Earnings Snapshot

Net sales: $3,104.2M

Quarter ended March 29, 2026

Net sales $3,104.2M +10.6% YoY

Net income $435.1M +94.1% YoY

Diluted EPS $2.13 +93.6% YoY

Gross margin 39.4% from 33.7% prior-year quarter

Operating profit $640.7M +73.5% YoY

10-Q Quarterly Reports: What Changes Quarter to Quarter →

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 29, 2026

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______to_______

Commission file number 1-183

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware						23-0691590
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)						(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

19 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033

(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)

(717) 534-4200

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, one dollar par value

HSY

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock, one dollar par value—148,229,858 shares, as of April 27, 2026.

Class B Common Stock, one dollar par value—54,613,514 shares, as of April 27, 2026.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Period Ended March 29, 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION						2
Item 1. Financial Statements						2
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025						2
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025						3
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025						4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025						5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025						6
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements						7
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies						7
Note 2 - Business Acquisitions						8
Note 3 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets						9
Note 4 - Short and Long-Term Debt						10
Note 5 - Derivative Instruments						11
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements						14
Note 7 - Leases						16
Note 8 - Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates						18
Note 9 - Business Realignment Activities						18
Note 10 - Income Taxes						20
Note 11 - Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans						21
Note 12 - Stock Compensation Plans						21
Note 13 - Segment Information						23
Note 14 - Treasury Stock Activity						26
Note 15 - Contingencies						26
Note 16 - Earnings Per Share						27
Note 17 - Other (Income) Expense, Net						28
Note 18 - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information						29
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations						31
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk						40
Item 4. Controls and Procedures						42
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION						43
Item 1. Legal Proceedings						43
Item 1A. Risk Factors						43
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds						43
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities						43
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures						43
Item 5. Other Information						43
Item 6. Exhibits						45
Signatures						46

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 1

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

												Three Months Ended
																		March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Net sales																		$	3,104,167					$	2,805,419
Cost of sales																		1,881,436						1,861,152
Gross profit																		1,222,731						944,267
Selling, marketing and administrative expense																		576,040						558,672
Business realignment costs																		5,998						16,374
Operating profit																		640,693						369,221
Interest expense, net																		49,818						44,622
Other (income) expense, net																		(1,820)						945
Income before income taxes																		592,695						323,654
Provision for income taxes																		157,590						99,451
Net income																		$	435,105					$	224,203
Net income per share—basic:
Common stock																		$	2.19					$	1.14
Class B common stock																		$	1.99					$	1.03
Net income per share—diluted:
Common stock																		$	2.13					$	1.10
Class B common stock																		$	1.99					$	1.03
Dividends paid per share:
Common stock																		$	1.452					$	1.370
Class B common stock																		$	1.320					$	1.245

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 2

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

						For the Three Months Ended
						March 29, 2026																		March 30, 2025
						Pre-Tax Amount						Tax (Expense) Benefit						After-Tax Amount						Pre-Tax Amount						Tax (Expense) Benefit						After-Tax Amount
Net income																		$	435,105																	$	224,203
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period						$	(5,117)											(5,117)						$	9,904					$	—					9,904
Pension and post-retirement benefit plans:
Net actuarial gain (loss) and service cost						(54)						3						(51)						(46)						(32)						(78)
Reclassification to earnings						1,994						(484)						1,510						2,883						(694)						2,189
Cash flow hedges:
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedging derivatives						(2,186)						43						(2,143)						(125)						(152)						(277)
Reclassification to earnings						4,431						(1,191)						3,240						946						(93)						853
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax						$	(932)					$	(1,629)					(2,561)						$	13,562					$	(971)					12,591
Comprehensive income																		$	432,544																	$	236,794

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 3

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

						March 29, 2026						December 31, 2025
						(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents						$	876,976					$	925,859
Accounts receivable—trade, net						974,555						729,547
Inventories						1,429,124						1,429,254
Prepaid expenses and other						487,856						504,239
Total current assets						3,768,511						3,588,899
Property, plant and equipment, net						3,489,162						3,529,608
Goodwill						2,994,696						2,996,005
Other intangibles						2,450,391						2,475,698
Other non-current assets						1,111,645						1,123,285
Deferred income taxes						26,888						27,802
Total assets						$	13,841,293					$	13,741,297
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable						$	1,303,703					$	1,255,701
Accrued liabilities						926,173						970,597
Accrued income taxes						136,359						63,725
Short-term debt						169,455						218,546
Current portion of long-term debt						504,081						503,327
Total current liabilities						3,039,771						3,011,896
Long-term debt						4,684,363						4,681,194
Other long-term liabilities						676,847						731,917
Deferred income taxes						706,464						679,540
Total liabilities						9,107,445						9,104,547
Stockholders’ equity:
The Hershey Company stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, shares issued: none in 2026 and 2025						—						—
Common stock, shares issued: 166,939,511 at March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025						166,939						166,939
Class B common stock, shares issued: 54,613,514 at March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025						54,614						54,614
Additional paid-in capital						1,435,194						1,426,651
Retained earnings						5,643,428						5,495,449
Treasury—common stock shares, at cost: 18,715,197 at March 29, 2026 and 18,713,369 at December 31, 2025						(2,316,416)						(2,259,553)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss						(249,911)						(247,350)
Total stockholders’ equity						4,733,848						4,636,750
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity						$	13,841,293					$	13,741,297

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 4

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

			Three Months Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Operating Activities
Net income			$	435,105					$	224,203
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			133,002						119,564
Stock-based compensation expense			17,132						13,559
Deferred income taxes			26,163						(12,202)
Unrealized losses on derivative contracts			105,204						270,794
Other			24,891						18,272
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisition:
Accounts receivable—trade, net			(247,560)						(73,044)
Inventories			(4,244)						(207,243)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(135,733)						(339,155)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			21,215						335,640
Accrued income taxes			119,049						80,174
Contributions to pension and other benefit plans			(3,337)						(3,126)
Other assets and liabilities			(22,081)						(30,754)
Net cash provided by operating activities			468,806						396,682
Investing Activities
Capital additions (including software)			(114,598)						(145,527)
Receipts related to equity investments in tax credit qualifying partnerships			3,648						3,558
Other investing activities			(6,174)						(5,017)
Net cash used in investing activities			(117,124)						(146,986)
Financing Activities
Net decrease in short-term debt			(48,001)						(1,165,724)
Long-term borrowings, net of debt issuance costs			—						1,986,026
Repayment of long-term debt and finance leases			(1,606)						(1,797)
Cash dividends paid			(287,997)						(271,594)
Repurchase of common stock			(69,270)						—
Proceeds from exercised stock options			14,998						2,738
Taxes withheld and paid on employee stock awards			(10,968)						(12,573)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities			(402,844)						537,076
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			2,279						(2,266)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents			(48,883)						784,506
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			925,859						730,746
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period			$	876,976					$	1,515,252
Supplemental Disclosure
Interest paid			$	70,003					$	38,366
Income taxes paid			24,394						38,918

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 5

HERSHEY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Three Months Ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

						Preferred Stock						Common Stock						Class B Common Stock						Additional Paid-in Capital						Retained Earnings						Treasury Common Stock						Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income						Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance, December 31, 2025						$	—					$	166,939					$	54,614					$	1,426,651					$	5,495,449					$	(2,259,553)					$	(247,350)					$	4,636,750
Net income																														435,105																		435,105
Other comprehensive loss																																										(2,561)						(2,561)
Dividends (including dividend equivalents):
Common Stock, $1.452 per share																														(215,036)																		(215,036)
Class B Common Stock, $1.320 per share																														(72,090)																		(72,090)
Stock-based compensation																								15,074																								15,074
Exercise of stock options and incentive-based transactions																								(6,531)												12,407												5,876
Repurchase of common stock (including excise tax)																																				(69,270)												(69,270)
Balance, March 29, 2026						$	—					$	166,939					$	54,614					$	1,435,194					$	5,643,428					$	(2,316,416)					$	(249,911)					$	4,733,848

						Preferred Stock						Common Stock						Class B Common Stock						Additional Paid-in Capital						Retained Earnings						Treasury Common Stock						Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income												Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance, December 31, 2024						$	—					$	166,939					$	54,614					$	1,377,226					$	5,698,316					$	(2,278,551)					$	(303,890)											$	4,714,654
Net income																														224,203																								224,203
Other comprehensive loss																																										12,591												12,591
Dividends (including dividend equivalents):
Common Stock, $1.370 per share																														(202,460)																								(202,460)
Class B Common Stock, $1.245 per share																														(67,994)																								(67,994)
Stock-based compensation																								13,647																														13,647
Exercise of stock options and incentive-based transactions																								(18,736)												8,991																		(9,745)
Balance, March 30, 2025						$	—					$	166,939					$	54,614					$	1,372,137					$	5,652,065					$	(2,269,560)					$	(291,299)											$	4,684,896

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 6

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited consolidated financial statements provided in this report include the accounts of The Hershey Company (the “Company,” “Hershey,” “we” or “us”) and our majority-owned subsidiaries and entities in which we have a controlling financial interest after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. We have a controlling financial interest if we own a majority of the outstanding voting common stock and minority shareholders do not have substantive participating rights, we have significant control through contractual or economic interests in which we are the primary beneficiary or we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. We use the equity method of accounting when we have a 20% to 50% interest in other companies and exercise significant influence. Other investments that are not controlled, and over which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the cost method. Both equity method investments and cost, less impairment, investments are included as Other non-current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and with the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not contain certain information and disclosures required by GAAP for comprehensive financial statements. The financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in our opinion, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows for the indicated periods.

Operating results for the quarter ended March 29, 2026 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2026 because of seasonal effects on our business. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (our “2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K”), which provides a more complete understanding of our accounting policies, financial position, operating results and other matters.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU requires public business entities on an annual basis to disclose specific categories in a tabular rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a five percent quantitative threshold. Additionally, the ASU requires all entities to disclose the amount of income taxes paid disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes, as well as individual jurisdictions where income taxes paid are equal to or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. We adopted the provisions of this ASU in the fourth quarter of 2025 and applied the provisions on a prospective basis.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This ASU requires entities to disclose certain additional expense information including, among other items, purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation and intangible asset amortization included within each Consolidated Statement of Income expense caption. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted and the update should be applied on a prospective basis, with a retrospective application permitted in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 7

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-06, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software. This ASU modernizes the capitalization guidance by removing all references to software development project stages so that the guidance is neutral to different software development methods. Under this ASU, costs are capitalized when management has authorized and committed funding and it is probable the project will be completed and the software used as intended. ASU 2025-06 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted and the amendments in this update permit an entity to apply the new guidance using a prospective, retrospective or modified transition approach. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

No other new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the fiscal year had or is expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

2. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

LesserEvil, LLC

On November 18, 2025, we completed the acquisition of LesserEvil, LLC (“LesserEvil”), previously a privately held company that produces and sells organic popcorn and puffed snack products to retailers and distributors in the United States and Canada, which complements Hershey’s existing product portfolio and brings additional manufacturing capacity. The initial cash consideration paid for LesserEvil totaled $769,090 and consisted of cash on hand and short-term borrowings; however, the Company may be required to pay additional contingent consideration ranging from zero to a maximum of $200,000 if certain defined earnings targets are met over a multi-year period. Acquisition-related costs for the LesserEvil acquisition were immaterial.

The acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination and, accordingly, LesserEvil has been included within the North America Salty Snacks segment from the date of acquisition. The purchase consideration, inclusive of the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration and certain holdbacks, was allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values as follows:

			Initial Allocation
Goodwill			$	289,142
Other intangible assets			604,500
Current assets acquired, including cash and cash equivalents			65,060
Property, plant and equipment, net			15,572
Other non-current assets, primarily operating lease ROU assets			28,214
Current liabilities assumed			(21,141)
Other long-term liabilities, primarily operating lease liabilities			(22,054)
Deferred income taxes			(144,143)
Net assets acquired			$	815,150

The purchase price allocation presented above is preliminary. We are in the process of evaluating additional information necessary to finalize the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date including, but not limited to, post-closing adjustments to the working capital acquired including certain holdbacks, as well as the valuation and step-up on property, plant and equipment. The final fair value determination could result in material adjustments to the values presented in the preliminary purchase price allocation, including other intangible assets and goodwill. We expect to finalize the purchase price allocation by mid-2026.

Goodwill was determined as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired (including the identifiable intangible assets). The goodwill derived from this acquisition is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes and reflects the value of leveraging our brand building expertise, supply chain capabilities and retail relationships to accelerate growth and access to the portfolio of LesserEvil’s products.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 8

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

Other intangible assets include the following estimated useful lives and values:

			Estimated Useful Life						Initial Allocation
Trademarks			Indefinite						$	303,000
Customer relationships			20 years						301,500
Other intangible assets									$	604,500

Sour Strips

On November 8, 2024, we completed the acquisition of the Sour Strips brand from Actual Candy, LLC. Sour Strips is an emerging sour candy brand and is available in a wide range of food distribution channels in the United States. The initial cash consideration paid for Sour Strips was deemed immaterial and consisted of cash on hand and short-term borrowings; however, the Company may be required to pay additional contingent consideration if certain defined targets are met over a multi-year period. We paid a portion of contingent consideration in April 2026. Acquisition-related costs for the Sour Strips acquisition were immaterial.

The acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination and, accordingly, Sour Strips has been included within the North America Confectionery segment from the date of acquisition. The purchase consideration, inclusive of the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration, was allocated to minimal net assets acquired, goodwill and other intangible assets. The purchase price allocation was finalized as of the second quarter of 2025 and includes an immaterial amount of measurement period adjustments. The measurement period adjustments to the initial allocation were based on more detailed information obtained about the specific assets acquired and liabilities assumed, specifically, post-closing adjustments to the working capital acquired.

Goodwill was determined as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired (including the identifiable intangible assets). The goodwill derived from this acquisition is expected to be deductible for tax purposes and reflects the value of leveraging our brand building expertise, commercial capabilities and retail relationships to accelerate growth.

Other intangible assets include trademarks valued at $41,800 and customer relationships valued at $41,300. Trademarks were assigned an estimated useful life of 22 years and customer relationships were assigned estimated useful lives ranging from 14 to 16 years.

3. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment for the three months ended March 29, 2026 are as follows:

						North America Confectionery						North America Salty Snacks						International						Total
Balance at December 31, 2025						$	2,039,098					$	946,143					$	10,764					$	2,996,005
Foreign currency translation						(1,270)						—						(39)						(1,309)
Balance at March 29, 2026						$	2,037,828					$	946,143					$	10,725					$	2,994,696

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 9

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

The following table provides the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major class of intangible asset:

						March 29, 2026												December 31, 2025
						Gross Carrying Amount						Accumulated Amortization						Gross Carrying Amount						Accumulated Amortization
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Trademarks						$	1,803,394					$	(348,780)					$	1,803,973					$	(335,974)
Customer-related						855,173						(197,512)						855,556						(185,995)
Patents						7,849						(7,849)						7,944						(7,944)
Total						2,666,416						(554,141)						2,667,473						(529,913)
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Trademarks						338,116												338,138
Total other intangible assets						$	2,450,391											$	2,475,698

Total amortization expense for the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 was $24,974 and $20,568, respectively.

4. SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Short-term Debt

As a source of short-term financing, we utilize cash on hand and commercial paper or bank loans with an original maturity of three months or less. As of March 29, 2026, we maintained a $1.875 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with the option to increase the aggregate amount of the commitments by up to $1 billion with the consent of the lenders. The credit facility is scheduled to expire on October 21, 2030; however, we may extend the termination date for up to two additional one-year periods upon notice to the administrative agent under the facility.

The credit agreements governing the credit facility contain certain financial and other covenants, customary representations, warranties and events of default. As of March 29, 2026, we were in compliance with all covenants pertaining to the credit facility, and we had no significant compensating balance agreements that legally restricted access to these funds. For more information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In addition to the revolving credit facility, we maintain lines of credit with domestic and international commercial banks. We had short-term foreign bank loans against these lines of credit for $169,455 at March 29, 2026 and $218,546 at December 31, 2025. Commitment fees relating to our revolving credit facility and lines of credit are not material.

As of March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we had no outstanding commercial paper.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 10

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

Debt Type and Rate						Maturity Date						March 29, 2026						December 31, 2025
2.300% Notes						August 15, 2026						500,000						500,000
7.200% Debentures						August 15, 2027						193,639						193,639
4.550% Notes						February 24, 2028						500,000						500,000
4.250% Notes						May 4, 2028						350,000						350,000
2.450% Notes						November 15, 2029						300,000						300,000
4.750% Notes						February 24, 2030						500,000						500,000
1.700% Notes						June 1, 2030						350,000						350,000
4.950% Notes						February 24, 2032						500,000						500,000
4.500% Notes						May 4, 2033						400,000						400,000
5.100% Notes						February 24, 2035						500,000						500,000
3.375% Notes						August 15, 2046						300,000						300,000
3.125% Notes						November 15, 2049						400,000						400,000
2.650% Notes						June 1, 2050						350,000						350,000
Finance lease obligations (see Note 7)												76,141						73,510
Net impact of interest rate swaps, debt issuance costs and unamortized debt discounts												(31,336)						(32,628)
Total long-term debt												5,188,444						5,184,521
Less—current portion												504,081						503,327
Long-term portion												$	4,684,363					$	4,681,194

Interest Expense

Net interest expense consists of the following:

						Three Months Ended
						March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Interest expense						$	56,876					$	54,916
Capitalized interest						(2,126)						(4,309)
Interest expense						54,750						50,607
Interest income						(4,932)						(5,985)
Interest expense, net						$	49,818					$	44,622

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 11

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

5. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

We are exposed to market risks arising principally from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. We use certain derivative instruments to manage these risks. These include interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk, foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage foreign currency exchange rate risk, and commodities futures and options contracts to manage commodity market price risk exposures.

In entering into these contracts, we have assumed the risk that might arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. We mitigate this risk by entering into exchange-traded contracts with collateral posting requirements and/or by performing financial assessments prior to contract execution, conducting periodic evaluations of counterparty performance and maintaining a diverse portfolio of qualified counterparties. We do not expect any significant losses from counterparty defaults.

Commodity Price Risk

We enter into commodities futures and options contracts and other commodity derivative instruments to reduce the effect of future price fluctuations associated with the purchase of raw materials, energy requirements and transportation services. We generally hedge commodity price risks for 3- to 24-month periods. Our open commodity derivative contracts had a notional value of $925,182 as of March 29, 2026 and $973,083 as of December 31, 2025.

Derivatives used to manage commodity price risk are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. Therefore, the changes in fair value of these derivatives are recorded as incurred within cost of sales. As discussed in Note 13, we define our segment income to exclude gains and losses on commodity derivatives until the related inventory is sold, at which time the related gains and losses are reflected within segment income.  This enables us to continue to align the derivative gains and losses with the underlying economic exposure being hedged and thereby eliminate the mark-to-market volatility within our reported segment income.

Foreign Exchange Price Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk related to our international operations, including non-functional currency intercompany debt and other non-functional currency transactions of certain subsidiaries. Principal currencies hedged include the euro, Canadian dollar, Japanese yen, British pound, Brazilian real, Malaysian ringgit, Mexican peso and Swiss franc. We typically utilize foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge these exposures for periods ranging from 3 to 18 months. The contracts are either designated as cash flow hedges or are undesignated. The net notional amount of foreign exchange contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges was $157,838 at March 29, 2026 and $223,962 at December 31, 2025. The effective portion of the changes in fair value on these contracts is recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period in which the hedged transactions affect earnings. The net notional amount of foreign exchange contracts that are not designated as accounting hedges was $63,653 at March 29, 2026 and $59,970 at December 31, 2025. The change in fair value on these instruments is recorded directly in cost of sales or selling, marketing and administrative (“SM&A”) expense, depending on the nature of the underlying exposure.

Interest Rate Risk

In order to manage interest rate exposure, from time to time, we enter into interest rate swap agreements to protect against unfavorable interest rate changes relating to forecasted debt transactions. These swaps, which are settled upon issuance of the related debt, are designated as cash flow hedges and the gains and losses that are deferred in other comprehensive income are being recognized as an adjustment to interest expense over the same period that the hedged interest payments affect earnings.

Equity Price Risk

We are exposed to market price changes in certain broad market indices related to our deferred compensation obligations to our employees. To mitigate this risk, we use equity swap contracts to hedge the portion of the exposure that is linked to market-level equity returns. These contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes and are entered into for periods of 3 to 12 months. The change in fair value of these derivatives is recorded in SM&A expense, together with the change in the related liabilities. The notional amount of the contracts outstanding at March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025 was $37,119 and $35,896, respectively.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 12

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

The following table presents the classification of derivative assets and liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025:

						March 29, 2026												December 31, 2025
						Assets (1)						Liabilities (1)						Assets (1)						Liabilities (1)
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts						$	1,458					$	3,638					$	691					$	3,095
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodities futures and options (2)						9,176						122,402						465						20,829
Deferred compensation derivatives						—						3,270						775						—
Foreign exchange contracts						20						277						1,752						—
						9,196						125,949						2,992						20,829
Total						$	10,654					$	129,587					$	3,683					$	23,924

(1)Derivative assets are classified on our Consolidated Balance Sheets within prepaid expenses and other as well as other non-current assets. Derivative liabilities are classified on our Consolidated Balance Sheets within accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities.

(2)As of March 29, 2026, amounts reflected on a net basis in liabilities were assets of $96,101 and liabilities of $214,024, which are associated with cash transfers receivable or payable on commodities futures contracts reflecting the change in quoted market prices on the last trading day for the period. The comparable amounts reflected on a net basis in liabilities at December 31, 2025 were assets of $46,467 and liabilities of $63,531. At March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the remaining amount reflected in assets and liabilities related to the fair value of other non-exchange traded derivative instruments, respectively.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 13

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

Income Statement Impact of Derivative Instruments

The effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 was as follows:

						Non-designated Hedges												Cash Flow Hedges
						Gains (losses) recognized in income (a)												Gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”)												Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI (“AOCI”) into income (b)
						2026						2025						2026						2025						2026						2025
Commodities futures and options						$	(28,909)					$	(53,857)					$	—					$	—					$	—					$	—
Foreign exchange contracts						(1,694)						3,951						(2,186)						(125)						(2,410)						1,354
Interest rate swap agreements						—						—						—						—						(2,021)						(2,300)
Deferred compensation derivatives						(3,270)						(1,886)						—						—												—
Total						$	(33,873)					$	(51,792)					$	(2,186)					$	(125)					$	(4,431)					$	(946)

(a)Gains (losses) recognized in income for non-designated commodities futures and options contracts were included in cost of sales. Gains (losses) recognized in income for non-designated foreign currency forward exchange contracts and deferred compensation derivatives were included in selling, marketing and administrative expenses.

(b)Gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income for foreign currency forward exchange contracts were included in selling, marketing and administrative expenses. Losses reclassified from AOCI into income for interest rate swap agreements were included in interest expense.

The amount of pre-tax net loss on derivative instruments, including interest rate swap agreements and foreign currency forward exchange contracts expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months was approximately $2,686 as of March 29, 2026. This amount is primarily associated with interest rate swap agreements.

6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting guidance on fair value measurements requires that financial assets and liabilities be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories of the fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market.

Level 2 – Based on observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 – Based on unobservable inputs that reflect the entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

We did not have any Level 3 financial assets or liabilities, nor were there any transfers between levels during the periods presented.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

The following table presents assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a recurring basis as of March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025:

						Assets / Liabilities
						Level 1						Level 2						Level 3						Total
March 29, 2026:
Derivative Instruments:
Assets:
Foreign exchange contracts (1)						$	—					$	1,478					$	—					$	1,478
Commodities futures and options (3)						$	9,176					$	—					$	—					$	9,176
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts (1)						$	—					$	3,915					$	—					$	3,915
Deferred compensation derivatives (2)						—						3,270						—						3,270
Commodities futures and options (3)						$	122,402					$	—					$	—					$	122,402
December 31, 2025:
Assets:
Foreign exchange contracts (1)						$	—					$	2,443					$	—					$	2,443
Deferred compensation derivatives (2)						$	—					$	—					$	—					$	—
Commodities futures and options (3)						$	465					$	—					$	—					$	465
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts (1)						$	—					$	3,095					$	—					$	3,095
Deferred compensation derivatives (3)						—						775						—						775
Commodities futures and options (3)						$	20,829					$	—					$	—					$	20,829

(1)The fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts is the difference between the contract and current market foreign currency exchange rates at the end of the period. We estimate the fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts on a quarterly basis by obtaining market quotes of spot and forward rates for contracts with similar terms, adjusted where necessary for maturity differences.

(2)The fair value of deferred compensation derivatives is based on quoted prices for market interest rates and a broad market equity index.

(3)The fair value of commodities futures and options contracts is based on quoted market prices.

Other Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt approximated fair values as of March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025 because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments.

The estimated fair value of our long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for similar debt issues and is, therefore, classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy. The fair values and carrying values of long-term debt, including the current portion, were as follows:

						Fair Value												Carrying Value
						March 29, 2026						December 31, 2025						March 29, 2026						December 31, 2025
Current portion of long-term debt						$	500,727					$	498,788					$	504,081					$	503,327
Long-term debt						4,295,344						4,373,815						4,684,363						4,681,194
Total						$	4,796,071					$	4,872,603					$	5,188,444					$	5,184,521

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

Other Fair Value Measurements

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, GAAP requires that, under certain circumstances, we also record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

2025 Activity

In connection with the acquisition of LesserEvil in 2025, as discussed in Note 2, we used various valuation techniques to determine fair value, with the primary techniques being discounted cash flow analysis and the relief-from-royalty, a form of the multi-period excess earnings, which use significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs, as defined by the fair value hierarchy. Additionally, we estimated the fair value of the contingent consideration using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

7. LEASES

We lease office and retail space, warehouse and distribution facilities, land, vehicles, and equipment. We determine if an agreement is or contains a lease at inception. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet.

Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and liabilities are based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term and are recognized at the lease commencement date.

As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our estimated incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments. The estimated incremental borrowing rate is derived from information available at the lease commencement date.

Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. A limited number of our lease agreements include rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation. Our lease agreements generally do not contain residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

For real estate, equipment and vehicles that support selling, marketing and general administrative activities, the Company accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. These asset categories comprise the majority of our leases. The lease and non-lease components of real estate and equipment leases supporting production activities are not accounted for as a single lease component. Consideration for such contracts are allocated to the lease and non-lease components based upon relative standalone prices either observable or estimated if observable prices are not readily available.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

The components of lease expense for the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 were as follows:  

												Three Months Ended
Lease expense						Classification						March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Operating lease cost						Cost of sales or SM&A (1)						$	16,382					$	14,211
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of ROU assets						Depreciation and amortization (1)						2,224						2,250
Interest on lease liabilities						Interest expense, net						1,169						1,134
Net lease cost (2)												$	19,775					$	17,595

(1)Supply chain-related amounts were included in cost of sales.

(2)Net lease cost does not include short-term leases, variable lease costs or sublease income, all of which are immaterial.

Information regarding our lease terms and discount rates were as follows:

						March 29, 2026						December 31, 2025
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases						10.2						10.2
Finance leases						24.2						25.2
Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases						4.6		%				4.6		%
Finance leases						6.2		%				6.3		%

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows:

Leases						Classification						March 29, 2026						December 31, 2025
Assets
Operating lease ROU assets						Other non-current assets						$	312,599					$	325,345
Finance lease ROU assets, at cost						Property, plant and equipment, gross						85,056						83,714
Accumulated amortization						Accumulated depreciation						(25,987)						(26,073)
Finance lease ROU assets, net						Property, plant and equipment, net						59,069						57,641
Total leased assets												$	371,668					$	382,986
Liabilities
Current
Operating						Accrued liabilities						$	49,676					$	49,583
Finance						Current portion of long-term debt						5,213						4,499
Non-current
Operating						Other long-term liabilities						273,573						285,925
Finance						Long-term debt						70,928						69,011
Total lease liabilities												$	399,390					$	409,018

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

The maturities of our lease liabilities as of March 29, 2026 were as follows:

			Operating leases						Finance leases						Total
2026 (rest of year)			$	47,528					$	7,468					$	54,996
2027			61,276						8,440						69,716
2028			42,684						7,186						49,870
2029			38,739						4,510						43,249
2030			32,006						4,339						36,345
Thereafter			190,434						129,333						319,767
Total lease payments			412,667						161,276						573,943
Less: Imputed interest			89,418						85,135						174,553
Total lease liabilities			$	323,249					$	76,141					$	399,390

Supplemental cash flow and other information related to leases were as follows:

						Three Months Ended
						March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases						$	15,931					$	13,538
Operating cash flows from finance leases						1,169						1,134
Financing cash flows from finance leases						1,615						1,798
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating leases						$	—					$	29,501
Finance leases						4,352						62

8. INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

We invest in partnerships that make equity investments in projects eligible to receive federal historic and renewable energy tax credits. The tax credits, when realized, are recognized as a reduction of tax expense under the flow-through method, at which time the corresponding equity investment is written-down to reflect the remaining value of the future benefits to be realized. The equity investment write-down is reflected within other (income) expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income (see Note 17).

Additionally, we acquire ownership interests in emerging snacking businesses and startup companies, which vary in method of accounting based on our percentage of ownership and ability to exercise significant influence over decisions relating to operating and financial affairs. These investments afford the Company the rights to distribute brands that the Company does not own to third-party customers primarily in North America. Net sales and expenses of our equity method investees are not consolidated into our financial statements; rather, our proportionate share of earnings or losses are recorded on a net basis within other (income) expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Both equity method investments and cost, less impairment, investments are reported within other non-current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We regularly review our investments and adjust accordingly for capital contributions, dividends received and other-than-temporary impairments. Total investments in unconsolidated affiliates were $179,399 and $176,567 as of March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

9. BUSINESS REALIGNMENT ACTIVITIES

We periodically undertake business realignment activities designed to increase our efficiency and focus our business in support of our key growth strategies.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative

On February 2, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a multi-year productivity initiative (“Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative” or "AAA Initiative") to improve supply chain and manufacturing-related spend, optimize selling, general and administrative expenses, leverage new technology and business models to further simplify and automate processes, and generate long-term savings.

The Company estimates that the AAA Initiative will result in total pre-tax costs of $200,000 to $250,000 from inception through 2026. This estimate primarily includes program office execution and third-party costs supporting the design and implementation of the new organizational structure of $100,000 to $120,000, as well as implementation and technology capability costs of $55,000 to $70,000. Additionally, we expect to incur employee severance and related separation benefits of $45,000 to $60,000 as we facilitate workforce reductions and reallocate resources to further drive the Company’s strategic priorities. The cash portion of the total cost is estimated to be $175,000 to $225,000. At the conclusion of the program in 2026, ongoing annual savings are expected to be approximately $400,000.

Since inception through March 29, 2026, we recognized total costs associated with the AAA Initiative of $190,295. These charges predominantly included employee severance and related separation benefits related to workforce reductions and third-party costs supporting the design and implementation of the new organizational structure, as well as technology capability costs. The costs and related benefits of the AAA Initiative predominantly relates to the North America Confectionery segment and Corporate. However, segment operating results do not include these business realignment expenses because we evaluate segment performance excluding such costs.

Costs associated with business realignment activities are classified in our Consolidated Statements of Income as follows:

												Three Months Ended
																		March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Selling, marketing and administrative expense																		7,360						9,480
Business realignment costs																		5,998						16,374
Costs associated with business realignment activities																		$	13,358					$	25,854

Costs recorded by program during the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 related to these activities were as follows:

												Three Months Ended
																		March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative:
Severance and employee benefit costs																		$	5,998					$	16,374
Other program costs																		7,360						9,480
Total																		$	13,358					$	25,854

The following table presents the liability activity for costs qualifying as exit and disposal costs for the three months ended March 29, 2026:

			Total
Liability balance at December 31, 2025 (1)			$	8,590
2026 business realignment charges (2)			5,998
Cash payments			(1,894)
Liability balance at March 29, 2026 (1)			$	12,694

(1)The liability balances reflected above are reported within accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities.

(2)The costs reflected in the liability roll-forward represent employee-related charges.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

10. INCOME TAXES

The majority of our taxable income is generated in the United States and taxed at the United States statutory rate of 21%. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 were 26.6% and 30.7%, respectively. Relative to the statutory rate, the 2026 effective tax rate was primarily impacted by foreign rate differential and state taxes.

The Company and its subsidiaries file tax returns in the United States, including various state and local returns, and in other foreign jurisdictions. We are routinely audited by taxing authorities in our filing jurisdictions, and a number of these disputes are currently underway, including multi-year controversies at various stages of review, negotiation and litigation in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty, including the timing of resolution or potential settlements. If any issues addressed in our tax audits are resolved in a manner not consistent with management’s expectations, we could be required to adjust our provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs. Based on our current assessments, we believe adequate provision has been made for all income tax uncertainties.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) was signed into law. The OBBBA introduces changes to United States tax policy, trade regulations, and federal spending priorities. Key provisions include the extension and modification of tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, modification of certain energy-related tax credits and incentives, and timing of deductions related to certain domestic expenses. The OBBBA did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 29, 2026.

Organization for Economic Cooperation Development

In December 2021, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”) introduced Global Anti-Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Pillar Two regulations which aim to ensure that multi-national entities that exceed the threshold revenue levels are subject to a minimum effective tax rate of 15% in jurisdictions where they operate. The Company is subject to OECD Pillar Two regulations, in certain jurisdictions which have enacted legislation, which may result in additional tax liabilities in jurisdictions where the effective tax rate falls below the 15% threshold. The Company has evaluated and will continue to monitor the impact of these new rules, including the OECD’s “Side by Side” administrative guidance released in January 2026, but does not anticipate that they will have a material impact on the Company’s effective tax rate.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

11. PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 were as follows:  

						Pension Benefits												Other Benefits
						Three Months Ended												Three Months Ended
						March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025						March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Service cost						$	2,977					$	3,502					$	30					$	27
Interest cost						8,005						9,220						1,254						1,228
Expected return on plan assets						(12,362)						(12,011)						—						—
Amortization of prior service credit						(755)						(889)						(97)						(96)
Amortization of net loss						1,856						3,553						990						315
Total net periodic benefit cost						$	(279)					$	3,375					$	2,177					$	1,474

We made contributions of $465 and $2,872 to our pension plans and other benefits plans, respectively, during the first quarter of 2026. In the first quarter of 2025, we made contributions of $689 and $2,437 to our pension plans and other benefit plans, respectively. The contributions in 2026 and 2025 also included benefit payments from our non-qualified pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans.

The non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost relating to pension and other post-retirement benefit plans are reflected within other (income) expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income (see Note 17).

12. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

Share-based grants for compensation and incentive purposes are made pursuant to the Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (“EICP”). The EICP provides for grants of one or more of the following stock-based compensation awards to employees, non-employee directors and certain service providers upon whom the successful conduct of our business is dependent:

•Non-qualified stock options (“stock options”);

•Performance stock units (“PSUs”) and performance stock;

•Stock appreciation rights;

•Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and restricted stock; and

•Other stock-based awards.

The EICP also provides for the deferral of stock-based compensation awards by participants if approved by the Compensation and Human Capital Committee of our Board and if in accordance with an applicable deferred compensation plan of the Company. Currently, the Compensation and Human Capital Committee has authorized the deferral of PSU and RSU awards by certain eligible employees under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan. Our Board has authorized our non-employee directors to defer any portion of their cash retainer, committee chair fees and RSUs awarded that they elect to convert into deferred stock units under our Directors’ Compensation Plan.

At the time stock options are exercised or PSUs and RSUs become payable, Common Stock is issued from our accumulated treasury shares. Dividend equivalents are credited on RSUs on the same date and at the same rate as dividends paid on our Common Stock. Dividend equivalents are charged to retained earnings and included in accrued liabilities until paid.

Awards to employees eligible for retirement prior to the award becoming fully vested are amortized to expense over the period through the date that the employee first becomes eligible to retire and is no longer required to provide service to earn the award. In addition, historical data is used to estimate forfeiture rates and record share-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

For the periods presented, compensation expense for all types of stock-based compensation programs and the related income tax benefit recognized were as follows:

												Three Months Ended
																		March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Pre-tax compensation expense																		$	17,132					$	13,559
Related income tax benefit																		4,557						3,308

Compensation expenses for stock compensation plans are primarily included in SM&A expense. As of March 29, 2026, total stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested awards not yet recognized was $132,516 and the weighted-average period over which this amount is expected to be recognized was approximately 2.0 years.

Stock Options

The exercise price of each stock option awarded under the EICP equals the closing price of our Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. Each stock option has a maximum term of 10 years. Grants of stock options provide for pro-rated vesting, typically over a four-year period. Expense for stock options is based on grant date fair value and recognized on a straight-line method over the vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures.

A summary of activity relating to grants of stock options for the period ended March 29, 2026 is as follows:

Stock Options			Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price (per share)			Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term			Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at beginning of year			368,560			$110.30			2.2 years
Exercised			(158,058)			$100.34
Outstanding as of March 29, 2026			210,066			$117.52			2.4 years			$	20,340
Options exercisable as of March 29, 2026			204,603			$115.90			2.2 years			$	20,131

No options were granted for the periods ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $17,893 and $1,833 for the periods ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively.

Performance Stock Units and Restricted Stock Units

Under the EICP, we grant PSUs to select executives and other key employees. Vesting is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. We grant PSUs over three-year performance cycles. If we meet targets for financial measures at the end of the applicable three-year performance cycle, we award a resulting number of shares of our Common Stock to the participants. The number of shares may be increased to the maximum or reduced to the minimum threshold based on the results of these performance metrics in accordance with the terms established at the time of the award.

For PSUs granted, the target award is a combination of a market-based total shareholder return and performance-based components. For market-based condition components, market volatility and other factors are taken into consideration in determining the grant date fair value and the related compensation expense is recognized regardless of whether the market condition is satisfied, provided that the requisite service has been provided. For performance-based condition components, we estimate the probability that the performance conditions will be achieved each quarter and adjust compensation expenses accordingly. The performance scores of PSU grants during the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 can range from 0% to 250% of the targeted amounts.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

We recognize the compensation expenses associated with PSUs ratably over the three-year term. Compensation expenses are based on the grant date fair value because the grants can only be settled in shares of our Common Stock. The grant date fair value of PSUs is determined based on the Monte Carlo simulation model for the market-based total shareholder return component and the closing market price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant for performance-based components.

During the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, we awarded RSUs to certain executive officers and other key employees under the EICP. We also awarded RSUs to non-employee directors.

We recognize the compensation expenses associated with employee RSUs over a specified award vesting period based on the grant date fair value of our Common Stock. We recognize expense for employee RSUs based on the straight-line method. The compensation expenses associated with non-employee director RSUs is recognized ratably over the vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures.

A summary of activity relating to grants of PSUs and RSUs for the period ended March 29, 2026 is as follows:

Performance Stock Units and Restricted Stock Units						Number of units						Weighted-average grant date fair value for equity awards (per unit)
Outstanding at beginning of year						1,038,893						$192.64
Granted						297,233						$235.79
Performance assumption change (1)						31,199						$554.65
Vested						(214,703)						$228.52
Forfeited						(19,674)						$190.73
Outstanding as of March 29, 2026						1,132,948						$207.19

(1)Reflects the net number of PSUs above and below target levels based on the performance metrics.

The following table sets forth information about the fair value of the PSUs and RSUs granted for potential future distribution to employees and non-employee directors. In addition, the table provides weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair value of the market-based total shareholder return component using the Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of grant.

						Three Months Ended
						March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Units granted						297,233						420,478
Weighted-average fair value at date of grant						$	235.79					$	166.02
Monte Carlo simulation assumptions:
Estimated values						$	128.04					$	65.27
Dividend yields						2.5		%				3.3		%
Expected volatility						24.6		%				21.7		%

The fair value of shares vested totaled $47,478 and $46,251 for the periods ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively.

Deferred PSUs, deferred RSUs and deferred stock units representing directors’ fees totaled 237,602 units as of March 29, 2026. Each unit is equivalent to one share of the Company’s Common Stock.

13. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company reports its operations through three segments: (i) North America Confectionery, (ii) North America Salty Snacks and (iii) International. This organizational structure aligns with how our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), Kirk Tanner, President and Chief Executive Officer, manages our business, including resource allocation and performance assessment, and further aligns with our product categories and the key markets we serve.

•North America Confectionery – This segment is responsible for our traditional chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery market position in the United States and Canada. This includes our business in chocolate and

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(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

non-chocolate confectionery, gum and refreshment products, protein bars, spreads, snack bites and mixes, as well as pantry and food service lines. This segment also includes our retail operations, including Hershey’s Chocolate World stores in Hershey, Pennsylvania; New York, New York; Las Vegas, Nevada; Niagara Falls (Ontario) and Singapore, as well as operations associated with licensing the use of certain of the Company’s trademarks and products to third parties around the world.

•North America Salty Snacks – This segment is responsible for our salty snacking products in the United States. This includes ready-to-eat popcorn, baked and trans fat free snacks, pretzels and other snacks.

•International – International is a combination of all other operating segments that are not individually material, including those geographic regions where we operate outside of North America. We currently have operations and manufacture product in Mexico, Brazil, India and Malaysia, primarily for consumers in these regions, and also distribute and sell confectionery products in export markets of Asia, Latin America, Middle East, Europe, Africa and other regions.

For segment reporting purposes, the CODM uses “segment income” to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources, including considering budget-to-actual variances and prior year-to-actual variances on a monthly basis. Segment income excludes unallocated general corporate administrative expenses, unallocated mark-to-market gains and losses on commodity derivatives, business realignment and impairment charges, acquisition-related costs and other unusual gains or losses that are not part of our measurement of segment performance. These items of our operating profit are managed centrally at the corporate level and are excluded from the measure of segment income reviewed by the CODM as well as the measure of segment performance used for incentive compensation purposes.

As discussed in Note 5, derivatives used to manage commodity price risk are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. These derivatives are recognized at fair market value with the resulting realized and unrealized (gains) losses recognized in unallocated derivative (gains) losses outside of the reporting segment results until the related inventory is sold, at which time the related gains and losses are reallocated to segment income. This enables us to align the derivative gains and losses with the underlying economic exposure being hedged and thereby eliminate the mark-to-market volatility within our reported segment income.

Certain manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and other activities supporting our global operations are integrated to maximize efficiency and productivity. As a result, assets and capital expenditures are not managed on a segment basis and are not included in the information reported to the CODM for the purpose of evaluating performance or allocating resources. We disclose depreciation and amortization that is generated by segment-specific assets, since these amounts are included within the measure of segment income reported to the CODM.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 24

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

Our segment net sales and earnings for the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 were as follows:

For the three months ended March 29, 2026						North America Confectionery						North America Salty Snacks						International						Total
Net sales						$	2,489,918					$	350,070					$	264,179					$	3,104,167
Cost of sales						1,402,465						248,517						200,270
SM&A expense						295,075						67,253						48,646
Total segment income						$	792,378					$	34,300					$	15,263					$	841,941
Unallocated corporate expense (1)																								157,706
Unallocated mark-to-market losses on commodity derivatives																								30,184
Costs associated with business realignment activities (see Note 9)																								13,358
Operating profit																								$	640,693
Interest expense, net (see Note 4)																								49,818
Other (income) expense, net (see Note 17)																								(1,820)
Income before income taxes																								$	592,695

For the three months ended March 30, 2025						North America Confectionery						North America Salty Snacks						International						Total
Net sales						$	2,300,140					$	277,798					$	227,481					$	2,805,419
Cost of sales						1,315,076						180,638						153,984
SM&A expense						288,690						55,307						44,771
Total segment income						$	696,374					$	41,853					$	28,726					$	766,953
Unallocated corporate expense (1)																								160,425
Unallocated mark-to-market losses on commodity derivatives																								211,453
Costs associated with business realignment activities (see Note 9)																								25,854
Operating profit																								$	369,221
Interest expense, net (see Note 4)																								44,622
Other (income) expense, net (see Note 17)																								945
Income before income taxes																								$	323,654

(1)Includes centrally-managed (a) corporate functional costs relating to legal, treasury, finance, and human resources, (b) expenses associated with the oversight and administration of our global operations, including warehousing, distribution and manufacturing, information systems and global shared services, (c) non-cash stock-based compensation expense, (d) acquisition and integration-related costs, and (e) other gains or losses that are not integral to segment performance.

Activity within the unallocated mark-to-market adjustment for commodity derivatives is as follows:

												Three Months Ended
																		March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Net losses on mark-to-market valuation of commodity derivative positions recognized in income																		$	28,909					$	53,857
Net gains on commodity derivative positions reclassified from unallocated to segment income																		1,275						157,596
Net losses on mark-to-market valuation of commodity derivative positions recognized in unallocated derivative losses																		$	30,184					$	211,453

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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

As of March 29, 2026, the cumulative amount of mark-to-market gains on commodity derivatives that have been recognized in our consolidated cost of sales and not yet allocated to reportable segments was $380,047. Based on our forecasts of the timing of the recognition of the underlying hedged items, we expect to reclassify net pre-tax gains on commodity derivatives of $261,284 to segment operating results in the next twelve months.

Depreciation and amortization expense included within segment income presented above is as follows:

												Three Months Ended
																		March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
North America Confectionery																		$	77,517					$	69,773
North America Salty Snacks																		26,056						21,846
International																		7,397						6,185
Corporate																		22,032						21,760
Total																		$	133,002					$	119,564

Additional information regarding our net sales disaggregated by geographical region is as follows:

												Three Months Ended
																		March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Net sales:
United States																		$	2,711,473					$	2,467,754
All other countries																		392,694						337,665
Total																		$	3,104,167					$	2,805,419

14. TREASURY STOCK ACTIVITY

A summary of our treasury stock activity is as follows:

			Three Months Ended March 29, 2026
			Shares						Dollars
									In thousands
Shares repurchased in the open market to replace Treasury Stock issued for stock options and incentive compensation			300,000						69,270
Shares issued for stock options and incentive compensation			(298,172)						$	(12,407)
Total net share repurchases			1,828						56,863

In December 2023, our Board of Directors approved a $500 million share repurchase authorization. As a result of the share repurchase authorization, approximately $470 million remains available for repurchases under our December 2023 share repurchase authorization. We are authorized to purchase our outstanding shares in open market and privately negotiated transactions. The program has no expiration date and acquired shares of Common Stock will be held as treasury shares. Purchases under approved share repurchase authorizations are in addition to our practice of buying back shares sufficient to offset those issued under incentive compensation plans.

15. CONTINGENCIES

The Company is subject to certain legal proceedings and claims arising out of the ordinary course of our business, which cover a wide range of matters including trade regulation, product liability, advertising, contracts, environmental issues, patent and trademark matters, labor and employment matters, human and workplace rights matters and tax. While it is not feasible to predict or determine the outcome of such proceedings and claims with certainty, in our opinion, these matters, both individually and in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

16. EARNINGS PER SHARE

We compute basic earnings per share for Common Stock and Class B common stock using the two-class method. The Class B common stock is convertible into Common Stock on a share-for-share basis at any time. The computation of diluted earnings per share for Common Stock assumes the conversion of Class B common stock using the if-converted method, while the diluted earnings per share of Class B common stock does not assume the conversion of those shares.

						Three Months Ended
						March 29, 2026												March 30, 2025
						Common Stock						Class B Common Stock						Common Stock						Class B Common Stock
Basic earnings per share:
Numerator:
Allocation of distributed earnings (cash dividends paid)						$	215,907					$	72,090					$	203,600					$	67,994
Allocation of undistributed earnings						110,268						36,840						(35,496)						(11,895)
Total earnings—basic						$	326,175					$	108,930					$	168,104					$	56,099
Denominator (shares in thousands):
Total weighted-average shares—basic						148,606						54,614						148,097						54,614
Earnings Per Share—basic						$	2.19					$	1.99					$	1.14					$	1.03
Diluted earnings per share:
Numerator:
Allocation of total earnings used in basic computation						$	326,175					$	108,930					$	168,104					$	56,099
Reallocation of total earnings as a result of conversion of Class B common stock to Common stock						108,930						—						56,099						—
Reallocation of undistributed earnings						—						(132)						—						26
Total earnings—diluted						$	435,105					$	108,798					$	224,203					$	56,125
Denominator (shares in thousands):
Number of shares used in basic computation						148,606						54,614						148,097						54,614
Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities:
Conversion of Class B common stock to Common shares outstanding						54,614						—						54,614						—
Employee stock options						120						—						196						—
Performance and restricted stock units						591						—						234						—
Total weighted-average shares—diluted						203,931						54,614						203,141						54,614
Earnings Per Share—diluted						$	2.13					$	1.99					$	1.10					$	1.03

The earnings per share calculations for the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 excluded 14 and 27 stock options (in thousands), respectively, that would have been antidilutive.

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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

17. OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE, NET

Other (income) expense, net reports certain gains and losses associated with activities not directly related to our core operations. A summary of the components of other (income) expense, net is as follows:

			Three Months Ended
			March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost relating to pension and other post-retirement benefit plans (see Note 11)			(1,109)						1,320
Other (income) expense, net			(711)						(375)
Total			$	(1,820)					$	945

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 28

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

18. SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

The components of certain asset accounts included within our Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:

						March 29, 2026						December 31, 2025
Inventories:
Raw materials						$	854,748					$	762,391
Goods in process						344,629						294,374
Finished goods						924,985						1,074,690
Inventories at First In First Out						2,124,362						2,131,455
Adjustment to Last In First Out						(695,238)						(702,201)
Total inventories						$	1,429,124					$	1,429,254
Prepaid expenses and other:
Prepaid expenses						$	163,412					$	201,527
Other current assets						324,444						302,712
Total prepaid expenses and other						$	487,856					$	504,239
Property, plant and equipment:
Land						$	199,454					$	199,559
Buildings						2,110,533						2,102,794
Machinery and equipment						4,530,712						4,515,447
Construction in progress						334,738						324,998
Property, plant and equipment, gross						7,175,437						7,142,798
Accumulated depreciation						(3,686,275)						(3,613,190)
Property, plant and equipment, net						$	3,489,162					$	3,529,608
Other non-current assets:
Pension						$	62,390					$	64,520
Capitalized software, net						341,430						351,285
Operating lease ROU assets						312,599						325,345
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates						179,399						176,567
Other non-current assets						215,827						205,568
Total other non-current assets						$	1,111,645					$	1,123,285

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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)

The components of certain liability and stockholders’ equity accounts included within our Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:
						March 29, 2026						December 31, 2025
Accounts payable:
Accounts payable—trade						$	986,784					$	831,204
Supplier finance program obligations						265,776						300,332
Other						51,143						124,165
Total accounts payable						$	1,303,703					$	1,255,701
Accrued liabilities:
Payroll, compensation and benefits						$	177,385					$	311,241
Advertising, promotion and product allowances						448,865						373,940
Operating lease liabilities						49,676						49,583
Other						250,247						235,833
Total accrued liabilities						$	926,173					$	970,597
Other long-term liabilities:
Post-retirement benefits liabilities						$	96,390					$	98,101
Pension benefits liabilities						37,075						42,987
Operating lease liabilities						273,573						285,925
Other						269,809						304,904
Total other long-term liabilities						$	676,847					$	731,917
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments						$	(141,624)					$	(136,508)
Pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax						(106,161)						(107,620)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax						(2,126)						(3,222)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss						$	(249,911)					$	(247,350)

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 30

Item 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to provide an understanding of Hershey’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows by focusing on changes in certain key measures from year to year. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with our Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 29, 2026 (“this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q”). This discussion contains a number of forward-looking statements, all of which are based on current expectations. Actual results may differ materially. Refer to the Safe Harbor Statement below as well as the Risk Factors and other information contained in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information concerning the key risks to achieving future performance goals.

The MD&A is organized in the following sections:

•Overview

•Trends Affecting Our Business

•Consolidated Results of Operations

•Segment Results

•Liquidity and Capital Resources

•Safe Harbor Statement

OVERVIEW

Hershey is a global confectionery leader known for making more moments of goodness through chocolate, sweets, mints and other great tasting snacks. We are the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America, a leading snack maker in the United States (“U.S.”) and a global leader in chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery. We market, sell and distribute our products under more than 85 brand names in approximately 65 countries worldwide.

Our principal product offerings include chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products and protein bars; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings and beverages; and snack items such as spreads, bars, and snack bites and mixes, popcorn and pretzels.

Business Acquisition

On November 18, 2025, we completed the acquisition of LesserEvil, LLC (“LesserEvil”), previously a privately held company that produces and sells organic popcorn and puffed snack products to retailers and distributors in the United States and Canada. The acquisition complements Hershey’s existing portfolio and increases manufacturing capacity.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 31

TRENDS AFFECTING OUR BUSINESS

Throughout the first three months of 2026, we experienced net sales growth and positive consumer sentiment for our brands, despite the persistent dynamic macro environment, which continues to put pressure on our business. Specifically, higher manufacturing and supply costs continue to challenge the business and drive incremental cost to our business (see Consolidated Results of Operations included in this MD&A). Additionally, we utilize many exchange traded commodities for our business that are subject to price volatility, specifically cocoa products, which has continued to improve during the first three months of 2026 (see Part I, Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).

Furthermore, changes in global trade policies, including tariffs on U.S. imports, and certain geopolitical events, specifically the conflict in the Middle East, continue to increase global economic and political uncertainty. We are continuing to monitor the ongoing regulations related to tariffs, specifically, goods imported into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and other countries, as well as export markets, as it was ruled by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act on February 20, 2026, that while certain tariffs imposed by the current U.S. administration do remain in full effect, there are other tariffs imposed that were deemed to not have such authority to do so. Therefore, companies now may have considerations around refund requests and as such, the Company is currently assessing the potential for refunds and the impact refunds may have on our results of operations. As such, the scope and length of tariffs, including their effects on the broader economy and our business, remain uncertain, but we expect tariff expense to continue to negatively impact our results of operations. Additionally, we are actively monitoring the evolving conflict in the Middle East and the potential impact on our business. For the first three months of 2026, this conflict did not have a material impact on our commodity prices or supply availability. However, we are continuing to monitor for any significant escalation or expansion of economic or supply chain disruptions or broader inflationary costs, which may result in material adverse effects on our results of operations.

As of March 29, 2026, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to satisfy our key strategic initiatives and other material cash requirements in both the short-term and in the long-term; however, we continue to evaluate and take action, as necessary, to preserve adequate liquidity and ensure that our business can operate effectively during the current economic environment. We continue to monitor our discretionary spending across the organization (see Liquidity and Capital Resources included in this MD&A).

Based on the length and severity of the fluctuating macroeconomic environment, including price volatility for our commodities, fluctuations in consumer shopping and consumption behavior, and ongoing changes in geopolitical events, including the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs, as well as the conflict in the Middle East, we may continue to experience increasing supply chain costs, higher inflation and other impacts to our business. We will continue to evaluate the nature and extent of these evolving impacts on our business, consolidated results of operations, segment results, liquidity and capital resources.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 32

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

																		Three Months Ended
																								March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025						Percent Change
In millions of dollars except per share amounts
Net sales																								$	3,104.2					$	2,805.4					10.6		%
Cost of sales																								1,881.4						1,861.1						1.1		%
Gross profit																								1,222.7						944.3						29.5		%
Gross margin																								39.4		%				33.7		%
Selling, marketing & administrative (“SM&A”) expenses																								576.0						558.7						3.1		%
SM&A expense as a percent of net sales																								18.6		%				19.9		%
Business realignment activities																								6.0						16.4						(63.4)		%
Operating profit																								640.7						369.2						73.5		%
Operating profit margin																								20.6		%				13.2		%
Interest expense, net																								49.8						44.6						11.6		%
Other (income) expense, net																								(1.8)						0.9						NM
Provision for income taxes																								157.6						99.5						58.5		%
Effective income tax rate																								26.6%						30.7%
Net income																								$	435.1					$	224.2					94.1		%
Net income per share—diluted																								$	2.13					$	1.10					93.6		%
NOTE: Percentage changes may not compute directly as shown due to rounding of amounts presented above.
NM = not meaningful

Results of Operations - First Quarter 2026 vs. First Quarter 2025

Net Sales

Net sales were $3,104.2 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $2,805.4 million in the same period of 2025, an increase of $298.8 million, or 10.6%. The net sales increase reflects a favorable price realization of approximately 10% primarily related to pricing actions within the North America Confectionery and International segments. Additionally, the 2025 acquisition of LesserEvil contributed a 2% benefit, with an additional 1% benefit being provided by foreign currency exchange rates. The increase was partially offset by a volume decrease of approximately 2%, primarily driven by declines in North America Confectionery and International segments, which more than offset the volume growth in the North America Salty Snacks segment.

Key U.S. Marketplace Metrics

For the first quarter of 2026, our total U.S. retail takeaway increased 9.3% in the expanded multi-outlet combined plus convenience store channels (MULO+ w/ Convenience), which includes candy, mint, gum, salty snacks and grocery items. Our U.S. candy, mint and gum (“CMG”) consumer takeaway increased 8.1%, despite a CMG market share decline. Our Salty consumer takeaway, excluding LesserEvil, increased 9.8% in the first quarter of 2026 and experienced a Salty, excluding LesserEvil, market share increase.

The consumer takeaway and market share information reflect measured channels of distribution accounting for approximately 90% of our U.S. confectionery and salty snack retail businesses. These channels of distribution primarily include food, drug, mass merchandisers and convenience store channels, partial dollar, club and military channels. These metrics are based on measured market scanned purchases as reported by Circana, the Company’s market insights and analytics provider, and provide a means to assess our retail takeaway and market position relative to the overall category.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 33

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

Cost of sales were $1,881.4 million in the first quarter 2026 compared to $1,861.1 million in the same period of 2025, an increase of $20.3 million, or 1.1%. The increase was driven by $269.9 million of higher costs, predominantly due to unfavorable commodity and tariff costs. The increase was partially offset by declines of $249.6 million, primarily due to supply chain productivity and transformation program net savings and $24.9 million of favorable mark-to-market activity on our commodity derivative instruments intended to economically hedge future years’ commodity purchases (See Part I, Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information).

Gross margin was 39.4% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 33.7% in the same period of 2025, an increase of 570 basis points. The increase was driven by favorable net price realization partially offset by unfavorable supply chain and tariff costs and volume declines.

SM&A Expenses

SM&A expenses were $576.0 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $558.7 million in the same period of 2025, an increase of $17.3 million, or 3.1%. Total advertising and related consumer marketing expenses increased 5.8%, driven by investments in advertising and related consumer marketing expenses in the North America Salty Snacks and International segments. SM&A expenses, excluding advertising and related consumer marketing, increased 1.8% in the first quarter of 2026, driven by higher capability and technology investments, partially offset by lower compensation and benefit costs and lower consulting fees, as well as net savings related to to our AAA Initiative versus the prior year.

Business Realignment Activities

We periodically undertake business realignment activities designed to increase our efficiency and focus our business in support of our key growth strategies. Excluding the portion recorded within Cost of Sales and SM&A expenses (as noted above), we recorded business realignment costs of $6.0 million during the first quarter of 2026 versus $16.4 million in the first quarter of 2025. The costs related to the AAA Initiative, which commenced in 2024, focused on leveraging new technology to improve supply chain and manufacturing-related spend, and optimize selling, general and administrative expenses. Costs associated with business realignment activities are classified in our Consolidated Statements of Income as described in Note 9 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Operating Profit and Operating Profit Margin

Operating profit was $640.7 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $369.2 million in the same period of 2025, an increase of $271.5 million, or 73.5%. The increase was primarily due to higher gross profit as well as lower business realignment expenses, partially offset by increased SM&A expenses, as noted above. Operating profit margin increased to 20.6% in 2026 from 13.2% in 2025, driven by the same factors noted above that resulted in higher gross margin for the period.

Interest Expense, Net

Net interest expense was $49.8 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $44.6 million in the same period of 2025, an increase of $5.2 million, or 11.6%. The increase was primarily due to the timing of the February 2025 debt issuance.

Other (Income) Expense, Net

Other (income) expense, net was income of $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2026 versus expense of $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2025, a change of $2.7 million. The decrease in net expense was predominantly driven by a decrease of $2.4 million of non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost relating to pension and other post-retirement benefit plans in the first quarter of 2026 versus the same period of 2025.

Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rate

The effective income tax rate was 26.6% for the first quarter of 2026 compared with 30.7% for the first quarter of 2025. Relative to the 21% statutory rate, the 2026 and 2025 effective tax rates were primarily impacted by state taxes and foreign tax differential.

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Net Income and Earnings Per Share-diluted

Net income was $435.1 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $224.2 million in the same period of 2025, an increase of $210.9 million, or 94.1%. EPS-diluted was $2.13 in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $1.10 in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of $1.03, or 93.6%. The increase in both net income and EPS-diluted was driven by higher gross profit, lower business realignment costs and lower other (income) expense, partially offset by higher SM&A expenses, higher interest expense, and higher income taxes. Higher income taxes were driven by higher income before income taxes, partially offset by a lower effective tax rate.

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SEGMENT RESULTS

The summary that follows provides a discussion of the results of operations of our three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks and International. For segment reporting purposes, we use “segment income” to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Segment income excludes unallocated general corporate administrative expenses, unallocated mark-to-market gains and losses on commodity derivatives, business realignment and impairment charges, acquisition-related costs and other unusual gains or losses that are not part of our measurement of segment performance. These items of our operating income are largely managed centrally at the corporate level and are excluded from the measure of segment income reviewed by our Chief Operating Decision Maker, Kirk Tanner, President and Chief Executive Officer, and used for resource allocation and internal management reporting and performance evaluation. Segment income and segment income margin, which are presented in the segment discussion that follows, are non-GAAP measures and do not purport to be alternatives to operating income as a measure of operating performance. We believe that these measures are useful to investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating ongoing operating profitability as well as in evaluating operating performance in relation to our competitors, as they exclude the activities that are not directly attributable to our ongoing segment operations. Refer to Note 13 Segment Information in our audited consolidated financial statements for reconciliations of net sales for our reportable segments to consolidated total net sales and of segment operating income to consolidated income before taxes.

Our segment results, including a reconciliation to our consolidated results, were as follows:

												Three Months Ended
																		March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
In millions of dollars
Net Sales:
North America Confectionery																		$	2,489.9					$	2,300.1
North America Salty Snacks																		350.1						277.8
International																		264.2						227.5
Total																		$	3,104.2					$	2,805.4
Segment Income:
North America Confectionery																		$	792.4					$	696.4
North America Salty Snacks																		34.3						41.9
International																		15.3						28.7
Total segment income																		841.9						767.0
Unallocated corporate expense (1)																		157.7						160.4
Unallocated mark-to-market losses on commodity derivatives (2)																		30.2						211.5
Costs associated with business realignment activities																		13.4						25.9
Operating profit																		640.7						369.2
Interest expense, net																		49.8						44.6
Other (income) expense, net																		(1.8)						0.9
Income before income taxes																		$	592.7					$	323.7

(1)Includes centrally-managed (a) corporate functional costs relating to legal, treasury, finance and human resources, (b) expenses associated with the oversight and administration of our global operations, including warehousing, distribution and manufacturing, information systems and global shared services, (c) non-cash stock-based compensation expense, (d) acquisition and integration-related costs and (e) other gains or losses that are not integral to segment performance.

(2)Net losses (gains) on mark-to-market valuation of commodity derivative positions recognized in unallocated derivative losses (gains). See Note 13 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

North America Confectionery

The North America Confectionery segment is responsible for our chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery market position in the United States and Canada. This includes developing and growing our business in chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery, gum and refreshment products, protein bars, spreads, snack bites and mixes, as well as pantry and food service lines. While a less significant component, this segment also includes our retail operations, including Hershey’s Chocolate World stores in Hershey, Pennsylvania; New York, New York; Las Vegas, Nevada; Niagara Falls (Ontario) and Singapore, as well as operations associated with licensing the use of certain trademarks and products to third parties around the world. North America Confectionery results, which accounted for 80.2% and 82.0% of our net sales for the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively, were as follows:

																		Three Months Ended
																								March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025						Percent Change
In millions of dollars
Net sales																								$	2,489.9					$	2,300.1					8.3		%
Segment income																								792.4						696.4						13.8		%
Segment margin																								31.8		%				30.3		%
NOTE: Percentage changes may not compute directly as shown due to rounding of amounts presented above.

Results of Operations - First Quarter 2026 vs. First Quarter 2025

Net sales of our North America Confectionery segment were $2,489.9 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $2,300.1 million in the same period of 2025, an increase of $189.8 million, or 8.3%. The increase was driven by favorable price realization of approximately 12%, primarily due to the pricing action announced in 2025. Additionally, there was a minimal benefit from foreign currency exchange rates. Volume declined approximately 4%, driven by price elasticity and one fewer shipping day, partially offset by the timing of shipments and strong innovation performance.

Our North America Confectionery segment income was $792.4 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $696.4 million in the same period of 2025, an increase of $96.0 million, or 13.8%. The increase was driven primarily by higher net sales, favorable mix, and net savings related to our AAA Initiative, partially offset by volume declines, and increased commodity and tariff costs.

North America Salty Snacks

The North America Salty Snacks segment is responsible for our grocery and snacks market positions, including our salty snacking products. North America Salty Snacks results, which accounted for 11.3% and 9.9% of our net sales for the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively, were as follows:

																		Three Months Ended
																								March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025						Percent Change
In millions of dollars
Net sales																								$	350.1					$	277.8					26.0		%
Segment income																								34.3						41.9						(18.1)		%
Segment margin																								9.8		%				15.1		%
NOTE: Percentage changes may not compute directly as shown due to rounding of amounts presented above.

Results of Operations - First Quarter 2026 vs. First Quarter 2025

Net sales of our North America Salty Snacks segment were $350.1 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $277.8 million in the same period of 2025, an increase of $72.3 million, or 26.0%. The increase was predominantly due to the acquisition of LesserEvil in November 2025, which provided a benefit of approximately 20%. Further, volume increased approximately 5%, primarily driven by Dot’s and Reese’s Filled Pretzels. Price realization was flat in the first three months of 2026 compared to the same period of 2025.

Our North America Salty Snacks segment income was $34.3 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $41.9 million in the same period of 2025, a decrease of $7.6 million, or 18.1%. The decrease was primarily due to higher supply chain costs, including costs related to a voluntary temporary product withdrawal, and increased SM&A expenses.

International

The International segment includes all other countries where we currently manufacture, import, market, sell or distribute chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery and other products. We currently have operations and manufacture product in Mexico, Brazil, India and Malaysia, primarily for consumers in these regions, and also distribute and sell confectionery products in export markets of Latin America, as well as Europe, Asia-Pacific (“APAC”), the Middle East and Africa (“MEA”) and other regions. International results, which accounted for 8.5% and 8.1% of our net sales for the three months ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively, were as follows:

																		Three Months Ended
																								March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025						Percent Change
In millions of dollars
Net sales																								$	264.2					$	227.5					16.1		%
Segment income																								15.3						28.7						(46.8)		%
Segment margin																								5.8		%				12.6		%
NOTE: Percentage changes may not compute directly as shown due to rounding of amounts presented above.

Results of Operations - First Quarter 2026 vs. First Quarter 2025

Net sales of our International segment were $264.2 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $227.5 million in the same period of 2025, an increase of $36.7 million, or 16.1%. The increase was due to favorable price realization of approximately 12%, resulting from strategic pricing actions across key markets, as well as a favorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates of approximately 6.8%. The increase was partially offset by volume declines of approximately 2%, primarily driven by price elasticity across markets.

Our International segment generated income of $15.3 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $28.7 million in income in the first quarter of 2025, a decrease of $13.4 million, or 46.8%, driven by higher commodity and manufacturing costs and advertising investment, partially offset by favorable price realization, supply chain productivity, and net savings related to our AAA Initiative.

Unallocated Corporate Expense

Unallocated corporate expense includes centrally-managed (a) corporate functional costs relating to legal, treasury, finance and human resources, (b) expenses associated with the oversight and administration of our global operations, including warehousing, distribution and manufacturing, information systems and global shared services, (c) non-cash stock-based compensation expense, (d) acquisition and integration-related costs and (e) other gains or losses that are not integral to segment performance.

In the first quarter of 2026, unallocated corporate expense totaled $157.7 million, as compared to $160.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, a decrease of $2.7 million, or 1.7%. The decrease was primarily driven by lower compensation and benefits costs, as well as consulting fees, partially offset by continued investments in technology.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Historically, our primary source of liquidity has been cash generated from operations. Domestic seasonal working capital needs, which typically peak during the summer months, are generally met by utilizing cash on hand, bank borrowings or the issuance of commercial paper. Commercial paper may also be issued, from time to time, to finance ongoing business transactions, such as the repayment of long-term debt, business acquisitions and for other general corporate purposes.

At March 29, 2026, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $877.0 million, a decrease of $48.8 million compared to the 2025 year-end balance. Additional detail regarding the net uses of cash are outlined in the following discussion. Additionally, at March 29, 2026, we had outstanding short- and long-term debt totaling $5.4 billion, of which $504.1 million was classified as the current portion of long-term debt. Of the $504.1 million, $500 million of 2.300% Notes are due upon maturity on August 15, 2026. We believe we can satisfy these debt obligations with cash generated from our operations, issuing new debt, and/or by borrowing on our unsecured credit facility.

Approximately 50% of the balance of our cash and cash equivalents at March 29, 2026 was held by subsidiaries domiciled outside of the United States. A majority of our cash and cash equivalents balance is distributable to the United States without material tax implications, such as withholding tax. We intend to continue to reinvest the remainder of this balance outside of the United States for which there would be a material tax implication to distributing for the foreseeable future and, therefore, have not recognized additional tax expense on these earnings. We believe that our existing sources of liquidity are adequate to meet anticipated funding needs at comparable risk-based interest rates for the foreseeable future. Acquisition spending and/or share repurchases could potentially increase our debt. Operating cash flow and access to capital markets are expected to satisfy our various short- and long-term cash flow requirements, including acquisitions and capital expenditures.

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Cash Flow Summary

The following table is derived from our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

						Three Months Ended
In millions of dollars						March 29, 2026						March 30, 2025
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities						$	468.8					$	396.7
Investing activities						(117.1)						(147.0)
Financing activities						(402.8)						537.1
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents						2.3						(2.3)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents						$	(48.8)					$	784.5

Operating activities

We generated cash of $468.8 million from operating activities in the first three months of 2026, an increase of $72.1 million compared to $396.7 million in the same period of 2025. This increase in net cash provided by operating activities was mainly driven by the following factors:

•Other assets and liabilities consumed cash of $157.8 million in 2026, compared to $369.9 million in 2025. This $212.1 million fluctuation was primarily driven by the timing of certain prepaid expenses and other current assets.

•Net income adjusted for non-cash charges to operations (including depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, deferred income taxes, unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts and other charges) resulted in $107.3 million of higher cash flow in 2026 relative to 2025.

•The variance in operating cash flows related to income taxes reflects timing differences between actual tax expense and quarterly estimated tax payments. We paid cash of $24.4 million for income taxes during 2026, compared to $38.9 million in the same period of 2025.

•The increase in cash provided by operating activities was partially offset by the following net cash outflows:

◦In the aggregate, select net working capital items, specifically, trade accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, consumed cash of $230.6 million in 2026, compared to generating cash of $55.4 million in 2025. This $286.0 million fluctuation was mainly driven by an increase in trade accounts receivable and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, due to the timing of vendor and supplier payments, partially offset by lower inventory levels.

Investing activities

We used cash of $117.1 million for investing activities in the first three months of 2026, a decrease of $29.9 million compared to $147.0 million in the same period of 2025. This decrease in net cash used in investing activities was mainly driven by the following factors:

•Capital spending. Capital expenditures, including capitalized software, capacity expansion, innovation and cost savings, were $114.6 million in the first three months of 2026 compared to $145.5 million in the same period of 2025. The decrease in our 2026 capital expenditures is largely driven by the wind down of our key strategic initiatives, as we expect 2026 capital expenditures, including capitalized software, to be in the range of approximately $425 million to $475 million, reflecting a trend towards historical levels. We intend to use our existing cash and internally generated funds to meet our 2026 capital requirements.

•Investments in partnerships qualifying for tax credits. We make investments in partnership entities that in turn make equity investments in projects eligible to receive federal historic and renewable energy tax credits. We received payments of approximately $3.6 million in the first three months of 2026, which is consistent with the same period of 2025.

•Other investing activities. In the first three months of 2026 and 2025, our other investing activities were minimal.

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Financing activities

We used cash of $402.8 million for financing activities in the first three months of 2026, a decrease of $939.9 million compared to cash generated of $537.1 million in the same period of 2025. This decrease in net cash generated in financing activities was mainly driven by the following factors:

•Short-term borrowings, net. In addition to utilizing cash on hand, we use short-term borrowings (commercial paper and bank borrowings) to fund seasonal working capital requirements and ongoing business needs. During the first three months of 2026, we used cash of $48.0 million to reduce short-term foreign bank borrowings. During the first three months of 2025, we used cash of $1.2 billion to reduce short-term commercial paper borrowings and short-term foreign bank borrowings.

•Long-term debt borrowings and repayments. During the first three months of 2026, long-term debt borrowings and repayments were minimal. During the first three months of 2025, we issued $500 million of 4.550% Notes due in February 2028, $500 million of 4.750% Notes due in February 2030, $500 million of 4.950% Notes due in February 2032 and $500 million of 5.100% Notes due in February 2035 (together, the “2025 Notes”). Proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 Notes, net of discounts and issuance costs, totaled $2.0 billion. We had minimal payment activity.

•Dividend payments. Total dividend payments to holders of our Common Stock and Class B Common Stock were $288.0 million during the first three months of 2026, an increase of $16.4 million compared to $271.6 million in the same period of 2025. Details regarding our 2026 cash dividends paid to stockholders are as follows:

Quarter Ended

In millions of dollars except per share amounts

March 29, 2026

Dividends paid per share – Common stock

$

1.452

Dividends paid per share – Class B common stock

$

1.320

Total cash dividends paid

$

288.0

Declaration date

February 4, 2026

Record date

February 17, 2026

Payment date

March 16, 2026

•Share repurchases. We repurchase shares of Common Stock to offset the dilutive impact of treasury shares issued under our equity compensation plans. The value of these share repurchases in a given period varies based on the volume of stock options exercised and our market price. In addition, we periodically repurchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to Board-authorized programs intended to drive additional stockholder value. We used cash for total share repurchases in the open market to replace Treasury Stock issued for stock options and incentive compensation of $69.3 million during the first three months of 2026. We did not repurchase any shares during the first three months of 2025.

•Proceeds from exercised stock options and employee tax withholding. During the first three months of 2026, we received $15.0 million from employee exercises of stock options and paid $11.0 million of employee taxes withheld from share-based awards. During the first three months of 2025, we received $2.7 million from employee exercises of stock options and paid $12.6 million of employee taxes withheld from share-based awards. Variances are driven primarily by the number of shares exercised and the share price at the date of grant.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Information on recently adopted and issued accounting standards is included in Note 1 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

For information regarding the Company’s critical accounting estimates, refer to Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2025.

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Safe Harbor Statement

We are subject to changing economic, competitive, regulatory and technological risks and uncertainties that could have a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we note the following factors that, among others, could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, expectations and assumptions that we have discussed directly or implied in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Many of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “strategy,” “target” and similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will” and “would,” among others.

The factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results projected in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the following:

•Our Company’s reputation or brand image might be impacted as a result of issues, concerns or regulatory changes relating to the quality and safety of our products, ingredients or packaging, human and workplace rights, and other environmental, social or governance matters, which in turn could result in litigation or otherwise negatively impact our operating results;

•Disruption to our manufacturing operations or supply chain could impair our ability to produce or deliver finished products, resulting in a negative impact on our operating results;

•We might not be able to hire, engage and retain the talented global human capital we need to drive our growth strategies;

•Risks associated with climate change and other environmental impacts, and increased focus and evolving views of our customers, stockholders and other stakeholders on climate change issues, could negatively affect our business and operations;

•Increases in raw material and energy costs along with the availability of adequate supplies of raw materials could continue to affect future financial results;

•Price increases may not be sufficient to offset cost increases and maintain profitability or may result in sales volume declines associated with pricing elasticity;

•Market demand for new and existing products could decline;

•Increased marketplace competition could hurt our business;

•Our financial results may be adversely impacted by the failure to successfully execute or integrate acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures;

•Our international operations may not achieve projected growth objectives, which could adversely impact our overall business and results of operations;

•We may not fully realize the expected cost savings and/or operating efficiencies associated with our strategic initiatives or restructuring programs, which may have an adverse impact on our business;

•Changes in governmental laws, regulations and policies, including taxes and tariffs, could increase our costs and liabilities or impact demand for our products;

•Political, economic and/or financial market conditions, including impacts on our business arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, could negatively impact our financial results;

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•Disruptions, failures or security breaches of our information technology infrastructure could have a negative impact on our operations and financial results;

•Complications with the design or implementation of our enterprise resource planning system could adversely impact our business and operations; and

•Such other matters as discussed in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Part II, Item 1A, ”Risk Factors.”

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in expectations or events or circumstances after the date this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is filed.  

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

The total amount of short-term debt, net of cash, amounted to net cash of $708 million and $707 million, at March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates applied to this variable-rate short-term debt as of March 29, 2026 would have changed interest expense by approximately $1.8 million for the first three months of 2026 and $3.4 million for 2025.

We consider our current risk related to market fluctuations in interest rates on our remaining debt portfolio, excluding fixed-rate debt converted to variable rates with fixed-to-floating instruments, to be minimal since this debt is largely long-term and fixed-rate in nature. Generally, the fair market value of fixed-rate debt will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. A 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would decrease the fair value of our fixed-rate long-term debt at March 29, 2026 and December 31, 2025 by approximately $233 million and $236 million, respectively. However, since we currently have no plans to repurchase our outstanding fixed-rate instruments before their maturities, the impact of market interest rate fluctuations on our long-term debt does not affect our results of operations or financial position.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We are exposed to currency fluctuations related to manufacturing or selling products in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We may enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to reduce fluctuations in our long or short currency positions relating primarily to purchase commitments or forecasted purchases for equipment, raw materials and finished goods denominated in foreign currencies.

The fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts represents the difference between the contracted and current market foreign currency exchange rates at the end of the period. We estimate the fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts on a quarterly basis by obtaining market quotes of spot and forward rates for contracts with similar terms, adjusted where necessary for maturity differences. The potential decline in fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts resulting from a hypothetical near-term adverse change in market rates of 10% was $31.6 million as of March 29, 2026 and $38.7 million as of December 31, 2025, generally offset by a reduction in foreign exchange associated with our transactional activities.

Commodities—Price Risk Management and Derivative Contracts

We use futures and options contracts and other commodity derivative instruments in combination with forward purchasing of cocoa products, sugar, corn products, certain dairy products, wheat products, natural gas and diesel fuel primarily to mitigate price volatility and provide visibility to future costs within our supply chain. Significant changes impacting our commodity price risk management since our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K are described below.

Cocoa Products

During the first three months of 2026, the average cocoa futures contract price was $1.86 per pound, with a trading range of $1.29 to $2.86 per pound, based on the Intercontinental Exchange futures contract. This average cocoa futures contract price represents a decline of approximately 49% compared to the 2025 annual average of $3.64 per pound.

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The cocoa supply-demand outlook has improved substantially in the first three months of 2026. After three years of deficit, the 2024-2025 season finished with a supply surplus. In addition, the outlook for the 2025-2026 season is very positive, with a large surplus predicted by most analysts. Output in all major regions is forecast to grow, including Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, while demand has now contracted for 11 consecutive quarters according to published quarterly reports. Activity on the two major futures exchanges has also improved during the quarter, with trading volumes approaching more normal levels following considerable declines during the previous two years.

Our costs for cocoa products will not necessarily reflect market price fluctuations because of our forward purchasing and hedging practices (including amount and duration thereof), premiums and discounts reflective of varying delivery times, and supply and demand for our specific varieties and grades of cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and cocoa powder. We generally hedge commodity price risks for 3- to 24-month periods. As a result, the average market prices are not necessarily indicative of our average costs.

Commodity Sensitivity Analysis

Our open commodity derivative contracts had a notional value of $925.2 million as of March 29, 2026 and $667.4 million as of December 31, 2025. At the end of the first quarter of 2026, the potential change in fair value of commodity derivative instruments, assuming a 10% decrease in the underlying commodity price, would have decreased our net unrealized losses by $32.5 million, generally offset by a reduction in the cost of the underlying commodity purchases.

For additional information about our market risks, see Item 7A under Part II of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 41

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES    

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 29, 2026. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 29, 2026.

Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 29, 2026, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Information on legal proceedings is included in Note 15 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

When evaluating an investment in our Common Stock, investors should consider carefully, among other things, the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "2025 Form 10-K") and the information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our other reports and registration statements filed with the SEC.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table shows the purchases of shares of Common Stock made by or on behalf of Hershey, or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of Hershey, for each fiscal month in the three months ended March 29, 2026.

Period						Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)						Average Price Paid per Share						Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans  or Programs (2)						Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2)
																								(in thousands of dollars)
January 1 through January 25						—						$	—					—						$	470,073
January 26 through February 22						300,000						$	230.90					—						$	470,073
February 23 through March 29						—						$	—					—						$	470,073
Total						300,000												—

(1) During the three months ended March 29, 2026, 300,000 shares of Common Stock were purchased in open market transactions in connection with our standing authorization to buy back shares sufficient to offset those issued under incentive compensation plans, which authorization does not have a dollar or share limit and is not included in our share repurchase authorizations described in the following paragraph.

(2) In December 2023, our Board of Directors approved a $500 million share repurchase authorization. As a result of the share repurchase authorization, approximately $470 million remains available for repurchases under our December 2023 share repurchase authorization. We are authorized to purchase our outstanding shares in open market and privately negotiated transactions. The program has no expiration date and acquired shares of Common Stock will be held as treasury shares. Purchases under approved share repurchase authorizations are in addition to our practice of buying back shares sufficient to offset those issued under incentive compensation plans.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Table of Contents The Hershey Company | Q1 2026 Form 10-Q | Page 43

Item 5. Other Information.

Director and Executive Officer Trading

A portion of our directors’ and officers’ compensation is in the form of equity awards and, from time to time, they may engage in open-market transactions with respect to their Company securities for diversification or other personal reasons. All such transactions in Company securities by directors and officers must comply with the Company’s Insider Trading Policy, which requires that transactions be in accordance with applicable U.S. federal securities laws that prohibit trading while in possession of material nonpublic information. Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act provides an affirmative defense that enables directors and officers to prearrange transactions in the Company’s securities in a manner that avoids concerns about initiating transactions while in possession of material nonpublic information.

The following table describes the contracts, instructions or written plans for the purchase or sale of securities adopted by our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended March 29, 2026, that are intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). No other Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements or “non-Rule 10b5–1 trading arrangements” (as defined by S-K Item 408(c)) were entered into or terminated by our directors or officers during such period.

Name and Title

Date of Adoption of 10b5-1 Plan

Duration of 10b5-1 Plan(1)

Aggregate Number of Securities to be Sold or Purchased

Deepak Bhatia Chief Technology Officer

2/25/2026

1/29/2027

Sell 5,000 shares

James Turoff Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

2/25/2026

12/31/2026

Sell 2,500 shares Exercise & sell 2,013 stock options

Vero Villasenor Chief Brand Officer

2/27/2026

12/31/2026

Sell 689 shares

(1) The plan duration is until the date listed in this column or such earlier date upon the completion of all trades under the plan (or the expiration of the orders relating to such trades without execution) or the occurrence of such other termination events as specified in the plan.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

Exhibit Number						Description
3.1						Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the Company’s Stockholders on May 6, 2025, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2025.
3.2						The Company's By-laws, as amended and restated as of December 5, 2025, are incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 5, 2025.
31.1						Certification of Kirk Tanner, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2						Certification of Steven E. Voskuil, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1						Certification of Kirk Tanner, Chief Executive Officer, and Steven E. Voskuil, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
101.INS						Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.LAB						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
101.DEF						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
104						The cover page from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 29, 2026, formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.
*						Filed herewith
**						Furnished herewith

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

(Registrant)

Date:

April 30, 2026

/s/ Steven E. Voskuil

Steven E. Voskuil

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

Date:

April 30, 2026

/s/ Jennifer L. McCalman

Jennifer L. McCalman

Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

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