Q1 2026 Hershey Co Earnings Call Transcript
Key Points
- The Hershey Co (HSY) reported strong Easter sell-through, exceeding expectations despite fewer weeks in the season.
- Premium chocolate segment is growing well, and the company plans aggressive innovation in this space.
- The company has strong plans for the second half of the year, including tent-pole events and new product innovations.
- Hershey's core brands, such as Reese's and Hershey's, showed significant growth, with non-seasonal sales up 11% and 10%, respectively.
- The company is confident in its ability to manage macroeconomic challenges, with consumer behavior remaining steady and elasticities running favorable.
- The Hershey Co (HSY) experienced a decline in North America confectionery market share due to increased competition.
- There is concern over the impact of geopolitical uncertainties and higher gas prices on consumer behavior.
- The company anticipates a slight decline in organic sales for Q2 due to timing issues related to Easter and international shipments.
- Snacks segment growth was below consumption levels due to private label production and product recalls.
- The company faces challenges in the premium chocolate market, with past struggles in introducing viable premium offerings.
Greetings, and welcome to the Hershey Company first quarter 2026 question-and-answer session. (Operator Instructions) As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. I'd now like to turn the call over to your host, Anoori Naughton, Vice President of Investor Relations for the Hershey Company. Thank you. You may begin.
Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us today for The Hershey Company's first quarter 2026 earnings Q&A session. I hope everyone has had the chance to read our press release and listen to our prerecorded management remarks, both of which are available on our website. In addition, we have posted a transcript of the prerecorded remarks. At the conclusion of today's live Q&A session, we will also post a transcript and audio replay of this call.
Please note that during today's Q&A session, we may make forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These statements, including expectations and assumptions regarding the
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