The Hershey Company filed an 8-K earnings release on October 29, 2026, reporting third-quarter 2026 financial results for the period ended September 27, 2026, and updating its full-year 2026 guidance.

Key Highlights

  • Q3 net sales of $3,275.5 million, an increase of 3.0% versus the third quarter ended September 28, 2025, according to the filing.
  • Reported net income of $580.8 million, or $2.88 per share-diluted, an increase of 111.8% versus the prior-year quarter, the company disclosed.
  • Adjusted EPS-diluted of $2.64, an increase of 103.1% versus the same period last year, per the filing.
  • Reported gross margin of 46.1% in Q3 2026, up 1,350 basis points from 32.6% in Q3 2025, according to the company.
  • Full-year 2026 net sales growth outlook updated to approximately 5%, from a prior guidance range of 4.5% to 5%, the company reported.
  • Full-year 2026 adjusted EPS growth outlook raised to 36% to 38.5%, from prior guidance of 32.5% to 35%, per the filing.
  • North America Salty Snacks segment net sales grew 22.3% in Q3 2026, including a 20.0 point benefit from the LesserEvil acquisition, the filing disclosed.

Hershey Q3 2026 Results: Sales Growth, Margin Recovery, and Raised Annual Outlook

The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) reported consolidated net sales of $3,275.5 million for the third quarter ended September 27, 2026, a 3.0% increase versus the third quarter ended September 28, 2025. According to the filing, organic, constant currency net sales increased 0.8%, driven by net price realization of approximately 11 points, while volume declined approximately 10 points reflecting elasticity impacts in North America Confectionery and International, shipment timing, and planned portfolio optimization in International, partially offset by growth in North America Salty Snacks. The LesserEvil acquisition contributed a 2.1 point benefit to net sales growth.

The company reported operating profit of $817.7 million in Q3 2026, an increase of 88.1% versus Q3 2025, resulting in a reported operating profit margin of 25.0%, an increase of 1,130 basis points versus the prior-year period. The filing attributed the reported operating profit margin increase to favorable derivative mark-to-market gains, net price realization, productivity program savings, tariff refunds, and lower net commodity costs, partially offset by lower volume, higher freight and logistics expenses, and increased advertising and capability investments. Selling, marketing and administrative expenses increased 15.4% in Q3 2026 versus Q3 2025, with advertising and related consumer marketing expenses up 17.1%, reflecting, according to the company, double-digit increases in both North America Confectionery and North America Salty Snacks.

For the nine months ended September 27, 2026, the filing reported consolidated net sales of $9,167.0 million, an increase of 6.6%, and reported net income of $1,473.6 million, or $7.27 per share-diluted, an increase of 162.5% versus the nine months ended September 28, 2025. The company updated its full-year 2026 outlook, raising projected adjusted EPS-diluted to a range of $8.58 to $8.74, compared to full-year 2025 adjusted EPS-diluted of $6.31. The filing noted that the updated outlook does not include potential future tariff refunds, and that approximately $0.22 from tariff refunds received in Q3 2026 and $0.03 in Q2 2026 are included in the adjusted EPS growth guidance.

What Was Disclosed

The Hershey Company disclosed Q3 2026 and nine-month 2026 financial results and raised its full-year 2026 net sales growth, reported EPS growth, and adjusted EPS growth guidance, while also providing updated expectations for tax rate, interest expense, and capital expenditures.