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 31, 2024
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 CO MPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||
(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 | ||||||||||||
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):
| 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—147,615,686 shares, as of April 26, 2024.
Class B Common Stock, one dollar par value—54,613,514 shares, as of April 26, 2024.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
For the Period Ended March 31, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Hershey Company | Q1 2024 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 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Cost of sales | ||||||||||||||
Gross profit | ||||||||||||||
Selling, marketing and administrative expense | ||||||||||||||
| Business realignment costs | ||||||||||||||
Operating profit | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | ||||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | ||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | ||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Net income per share—basic: | ||||||||||||||
| Common stock | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Class B common stock | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Net income per share—diluted: | ||||||||||||||
| Common stock | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Class B common stock | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Dividends paid per share: | ||||||||||||||
| Common stock | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Class B common stock | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Hershey Company | Q1 2024 Form 10-Q | Page 2 | | |||||||
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-Tax Amount | Tax (Expense) Benefit | After-Tax Amount | Pre-Tax Amount | Tax (Expense) Benefit | After-Tax Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and post-retirement benefit plans: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial gain (loss) and service cost | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification to earnings | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains (losses) on cash flow hedging derivatives | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification to earnings | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | $ | $ | ( | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable—trade, net | ||||||||||||||
| Inventories | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | ||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | ||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||||||||
| Other intangibles | ||||||||||||||
| Other non-current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued income taxes | ||||||||||||||
| Short-term debt | ||||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | ||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | ||||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||
| The Hershey Company stockholders’ equity | ||||||||||||||
Preferred stock, shares issued: | ||||||||||||||
Common stock, shares issued: | ||||||||||||||
Class B common stock, shares issued: | ||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | ||||||||||||||
Treasury—common stock shares, at cost: | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Operating Activities | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Write-down of equity investments | |||||||||||
| Unrealized gains on derivative contracts | ( | ||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisition: | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable—trade, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Inventories | ( | ||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( | ||||||||||
| Accrued income taxes | |||||||||||
| Contributions to pension and other benefit plans | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other assets and liabilities | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| Investing Activities | |||||||||||
| Capital additions (including software) | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Equity investments in tax credit qualifying partnerships | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other investing activities | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Financing Activities | |||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt | ( | ||||||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt and finance leases | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash dividends paid | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Proceeds from exercised stock options | |||||||||||
Taxes withheld and paid on employee stock awards | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Supplemental Disclosure | |||||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Income taxes paid | |||||||||||
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023
(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, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends (including dividend equivalents): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock, $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class B Common Stock, $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options and incentive-based transactions | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock (including excise tax) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends (including dividend equivalents): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock, $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class B Common Stock, $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of Class B Common Stock into Common Stock | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options and incentive-based transactions | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock (including excise tax) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, April 2, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
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 and cost method 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.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2022-04, Liabilities—Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations. This ASU requires a buyer in a supplier finance program to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about the program including the program’s nature, activity during the period, changes from period to period and potential magnitude. ASU 2022-04 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022 and interim periods within those annual periods. A rollforward of obligations during the annual period, including the amount of obligations confirmed and obligations subsequently paid, is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023 with early adoption permitted. This ASU should be applied retrospectively to each period in which a balance sheet is presented, except for the amendment on rollforward information, which should be applied prospectively. We early adopted provisions of this ASU in the fourth quarter of 2022, with the exception of the amendment on rollforward information, which we adopted in the fourth quarter of 2023. Adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. This ASU requires an acquirer to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) rather than adjust them to fair value at the acquisition date. ASU 2021-08 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022 and interim periods within those annual periods. This ASU should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the date of adoption. As a result, we adopted the provisions of this ASU in the first quarter of 2023. This new standard was not applicable to the May 2023 acquisition of Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing, Inc. (“Weaver”) due to no contract assets or liabilities (as discussed in Note 2); however, will be applied in relevant future acquisitions.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This ASU requires disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), an amount for other segment items with a description of the composition, and disclosure of the title and position of the CODM. ASU 2023-07 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted and the update should be applied retrospectively to each period presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. As a result, we intend to adopt the provisions of this ASU in the fourth quarter of 2024.
In December 2023, the FASB issued 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. 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. As a result, we intend to adopt the provisions of this ASU in the fourth quarter of 2025.
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
Manufacturing Capacity
On May 31, 2023, we completed the acquisition of certain assets that provide additional manufacturing capacity from Weaver, a leader in the production and co-packing of microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat popcorn, and former co-manufacturer of the Company’s SkinnyPop brand. The initial cash consideration paid for Weaver totaled $165,818 and consisted of cash on hand and short-term borrowings. Acquisition-related costs for the Weaver acquisition were immaterial.
The acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination and, accordingly, Weaver has been included within the North America Salty Snacks segment from the date of acquisition. The purchase consideration was allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values and consisted of $85,231 to goodwill, $79,136 to property, plant and equipment, net and $1,451 to other net assets acquired. The purchase price allocation has been finalized as of the fourth quarter of 2023 and did not include measurement period adjustments.
Goodwill was determined as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The goodwill derived from this acquisition is deductible for tax purposes and reflects the value of leveraging our supply chain capabilities to accelerate growth and access to our portfolio of salty snacks products.
3. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are as follows:
| North America Confectionery | North America Salty Snacks | International | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets subject to amortization: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trademarks | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer-related | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Patents | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets not subject to amortization: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trademarks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other intangible assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. We maintain a $1.35 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with the option to increase borrowings by an additional $500 million with the consent of the lenders. The credit facility is scheduled to expire on April 26, 2028; however, we may extend the termination date for up to two additional one-year periods upon notice to the administrative agent.
The credit agreements governing the credit facility contain certain financial and other covenants, customary representations, warranties and events of default. As of March 31, 2024, 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 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In addition to the revolving credit facility, we maintain lines of credit with domestic and international commercial banks. Commitment fees relating to our revolving credit facility and lines of credit are not material. Short-term debt consisted of the following:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Short-term foreign bank borrowings against lines of credit | $ | $ | |||||||||
| U.S. commercial paper | |||||||||||
| Total short-term debt | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Weighted average interest rate on outstanding commercial paper | % | % | |||||||||
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 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 15, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| June 1, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 21, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 15, 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 15, 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| May 4, 2028 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| November 15, 2029 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| June 1, 2030 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| May 4, 2033 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 15, 2046 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| November 15, 2049 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| June 1, 2050 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net impact of interest rate swaps, debt issuance costs and unamortized debt discounts | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total long-term debt | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less—current portion | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term portion | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest Expense
Net interest expense consists of the following:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Capitalized interest | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
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.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
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 $206,349 as of March 31, 2024 and $94,917 as of December 31, 2023.
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 12 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 $50,648 at March 31, 2024 and $80,068 at December 31, 2023. 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 $10,339 at March 31, 2024 and $13,665 at December 31, 2023. 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 selling, marketing and administrative expense, together with the change in the related liabilities. The notional amount of the contracts outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $25,004 and $22,867 , respectively.
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 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets (1) | Liabilities (1) | Assets (1) | Liabilities (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodities futures and options (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred compensation derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(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.
Income Statement Impact of Derivative Instruments
The effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023 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) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodities futures and options | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swap agreements | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred compensation derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(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 HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
The amount of pre-tax net losses 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 $8,761 as of March 31, 2024. 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 no
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 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
| Assets / Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative Instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts (1) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred compensation derivatives (2) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodities futures and options (3) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts (1) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodities futures and options (3) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2023: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts (1) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred compensation derivatives (2) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodities futures and options (3) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts (1) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodities futures and options (3) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(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.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
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 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 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 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
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.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
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 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023 were as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease expense | Classification | March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease cost | Cost of sales or SM&A (1) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease cost: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of ROU assets | Depreciation and amortization (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on lease liabilities | Interest expense, net | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net lease cost (2) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
(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 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | ||||||||||||||
| Finance leases | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average discount rate | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Finance leases | % | % | ||||||||||||
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows:
| Leases | Classification | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease ROU assets | Other non-current assets | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease ROU assets, at cost | Property, plant and equipment, gross | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated amortization | Accumulated depreciation | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease ROU assets, net | Property, plant and equipment, net | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total leased assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating | Accrued liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance | Current portion of long-term debt | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-current | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating | Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance | Long-term debt | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
The maturity of our lease liabilities as of March 31, 2024 were as follows:
| Operating leases | Finance leases | Total | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 (rest of year) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2027 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2028 | |||||||||||||||||
| Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||
| Total lease payments | |||||||||||||||||
| Less: Imputed interest | |||||||||||||||||
| Total lease liabilities | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Supplemental cash flow and other information related to leases were as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
| Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Operating cash flows from finance leases | ||||||||||||||
| Financing cash flows from finance leases | ||||||||||||||
| ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Finance leases | ||||||||||||||
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 $190,419 and $207,177 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
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. Costs associated with business realignment activities are classified in our Consolidated Statements of Income as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Selling, marketing and administrative expense | ||||||||||||||
| Business realignment costs | ||||||||||||||
| Costs associated with business realignment activities | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Costs recorded by program during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023 related to these activities were as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative: | ||||||||||||||
| Other program costs | ||||||||||||||
| International Optimization Program: | ||||||||||||||
| Severance and employee benefit costs | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Other program costs | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Amounts classified as liabilities qualifying as exit and disposal costs primarily represent employee-related and certain third-party service provider charges, however, such amounts at March 31, 2024 are not significant.
Advancing Agility & Automation Initiative
On February 2, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a multi-year productivity initiative (“Advancing Agility & Automation” or "AAA") 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 $300,000 .
Since inception through March 31, 2024, we recognized total costs associated with the AAA Initiative of $16,666 . These charges predominantly included 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 relate 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.
2020 International Optimization Program
In the fourth quarter of 2020, we commenced a program (“International Optimization Program”) to streamline resources and investments in select international markets, including the optimization of our China operating model that will improve our operational efficiency and provide for a strong, sustainable and simplified base going forward.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
The International Optimization Program was originally expected to total pre-tax costs of $50,000 to $75,000 , with cash costs in the range of $40,000 to $65,000 , primarily related to workforce reductions of approximately 350 positions outside of the United States, costs to consolidate and relocate production, and third-party costs incurred to execute these activities. The costs and related benefits of the International Optimization Program relate to the International segment. However, segment operating results do not include these business realignment expenses because we evaluate segment performance excluding such costs. For the three months ended April 2, 2023, we recognized total costs associated with the International Optimization Program of $2,349 . From program inception in 2020 through completion in 2023, we incurred pre-tax charges to execute the program totaling $53,799 .
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 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023 were 19.1 % and 22.7 %, respectively. Relative to the statutory rate, the 2024 effective tax rate was primarily impacted by investment tax credits partially offset by 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, Switzerland 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. We reasonably expect reductions in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $51,355 within the next 12 months because of the expiration of statutes of limitations and settlements of tax audits.
Inflation Reduction Act
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) was signed into law. The IRA enacted a 15% corporate minimum tax on certain corporations and an excise tax on share repurchases after December 31, 2022, and created and extended certain energy-related tax credits and incentives. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023 the tax-related provisions of the IRA did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, including our annual effective tax rate, or on our liquidity.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
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 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023 were as follows:
| Pension Benefits | Other Benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service credit | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of net loss (gain) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total net periodic benefit cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
We made contributions of $816 and $1,592 to the pension plans and other benefits plans, respectively, during the first three months of 2024. In the first three months of 2023, we made contributions of $833 and $5,699 to our pension plans and other benefit plans, respectively. The contributions in 2024 and 2023 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 is 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.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
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 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
Pre-tax compensation expense | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Related income tax benefit | ||||||||||||||
Compensation expenses for stock compensation plans are primarily included in SM&A expense. As of March 31, 2024, total stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested awards not yet recognized was $119,082 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 31, 2024 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 | $ | |||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | $ | ||||||||||||
Outstanding as of March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Options exercisable as of March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The weighted-average fair value of options granted was $45.95 and $57.65 per share for the periods ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023, respectively. The fair value was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the following weighted-average assumptions:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
Dividend yields | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Expected volatility | % | % | ||||||||||||
Risk-free interest rates | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Expected term in years | ||||||||||||||
The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $4,148 and $20,566 for the periods ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023, respectively.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
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 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023 can range from 0 250
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 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023, 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 31, 2024 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 | $ | |||||||||||||
Granted | $ | |||||||||||||
Performance assumption change (1) | ( | $ | ||||||||||||
Vested | ( | $ | ||||||||||||
Forfeited | ( | $ | ||||||||||||
Outstanding as of March 31, 2024 | $ | |||||||||||||
(1)Reflects the net number of PSUs above and below target levels based on the performance metrics.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
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 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 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
Units granted | ||||||||||||||
Weighted-average fair value at date of grant | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Monte Carlo simulation assumptions: | ||||||||||||||
| Estimated values | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Dividend yields | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Expected volatility | % | % | ||||||||||||
The fair value of shares vested totaled $84,998 and $97,304 for the periods ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023, respectively.
Deferred PSUs, deferred RSUs and deferred stock units representing directors’ fees totaled 258,847 units as of March 31, 2024. Each unit is equivalent to one share of the Company’s Common Stock.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
13. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company reports its operations through three reportable segments: (i) North America Confectionery, (ii) North America Salty Snacks and (iii) International. This organizational structure aligns with how our CODM 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 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, 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 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.
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 were as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Net sales: | ||||||||||||||
| North America Confectionery | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| North America Salty Snacks | ||||||||||||||
| International | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Segment income: | ||||||||||||||
| North America Confectionery | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| North America Salty Snacks | ||||||||||||||
| International | ||||||||||||||
| Total segment income | ||||||||||||||
| Unallocated corporate expense (1) | ||||||||||||||
| Unallocated mark-to-market (gains) losses on commodity derivatives | ( | |||||||||||||
| Operating profit | ||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
(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 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Net (gains) losses on mark-to-market valuation of commodity derivative positions recognized in income | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||
| Net losses on commodity derivative positions reclassified from unallocated to segment income | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Net (gains) losses on mark-to-market valuation of commodity derivative positions recognized in unallocated derivative (gains) losses | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||
As of March 31, 2024, 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 $167,808 . Based on our forecasts of the timing of the recognition of the underlying hedged items, we expect to reclassify net pre-tax losses on commodity derivatives of $24,574 to segment operating results in the next twelve months.
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
Depreciation and amortization expense included within segment income presented above is as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| North America Confectionery | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| North America Salty Snacks | ||||||||||||||
| International | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Additional information regarding our net sales disaggregated by geographical region is as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Net sales: | ||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| All other countries | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
14. TREASURY STOCK ACTIVITY
A summary of our treasury stock activity is as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
| Shares | Dollars | ||||||||||
| In thousands | |||||||||||
| Shares repurchased in the open market under pre-approved share repurchase programs | $ | ||||||||||
| Shares repurchased in the open market to replace Treasury Stock issued for stock options and incentive compensation | |||||||||||
| Total share repurchases | |||||||||||
| Shares issued for stock options and incentive compensation | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total net share repurchases | |||||||||||
| Excise tax associated with net share repurchases (1) | |||||||||||
| Net change | $ | ||||||||||
(1)A corresponding liability for excise tax associated with net share repurchases is classified on our Consolidated Balance Sheets within accrued liabilities.
In February 2023, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Hershey Trust Company, as trustee for the Milton Hershey School Trust (the “School Trust”), pursuant to which the Company purchased 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock from the School Trust at a price equal to $239.91 per share, for a total purchase price of $239,910 .
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(amounts in thousands, except share data or if otherwise indicated)
In July 2018, our Board of Directors approved a $500 million share repurchase authorization to repurchase shares of our Common Stock. As a result of the February 2023 Stock Purchase Agreement with Hershey Trust Company, as trustee for the School Trust, the July 2018 share repurchase authorization was completed. In May 2021, our Board of Directors approved an additional $500 million share repurchase authorization, which was completed as of March 31, 2024. In December 2023, our Board of Directors approved an additional $500 million share repurchase authorization. This program commenced after the existing May 2021 authorization was completed. 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.
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 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Class B Common Stock | Common Stock | Class B Common Stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocation of distributed earnings (cash dividends paid) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocation of undistributed earnings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total earnings—basic | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Denominator (shares in thousands): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total weighted-average shares—basic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings Per Share—basic | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocation of total earnings used in basic computation | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reallocation of total earnings as a result of conversion of Class B common stock to Common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reallocation of undistributed earnings | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total earnings—diluted | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Denominator (shares in thousands): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of shares used in basic computation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of Class B common stock to Common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee stock options | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance and restricted stock units | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total weighted-average shares—diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings Per Share—diluted | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The earnings per share calculations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023 excluded 12 and 8 stock options (in thousands), respectively, that would have been antidilutive.
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 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | ||||||||||
Write-down of equity investments in partnerships qualifying for historic and renewable energy tax credits (see Note 8) | $ | $ | |||||||||
Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost relating to pension and other post-retirement benefit plans (see Note 11) | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
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 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Inventories: | ||||||||||||||
| Raw materials | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Goods in process | ||||||||||||||
| Finished goods | ||||||||||||||
| Inventories at First In First Out | ||||||||||||||
| Adjustment to Last In First Out | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total inventories | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other: | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Other current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Total prepaid expenses and other | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment: | ||||||||||||||
| Land | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Buildings | ||||||||||||||
| Machinery and equipment | ||||||||||||||
| Construction in progress | ||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, gross | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Other non-current assets: | ||||||||||||||
| Pension | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Capitalized software, net | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease ROU assets | ||||||||||||||
| Investments in unconsolidated affiliates | ||||||||||||||
| Other non-current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Total other non-current assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
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 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Accounts payable: | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable—trade | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Supplier finance program obligations | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
| Total accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
| Payroll, compensation and benefits | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Advertising, promotion and product allowances | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
| Post-retirement benefits liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Pension benefits liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss: | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
| Pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges, net of tax | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total accumulated other comprehensive loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
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 31, 2024 (“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 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by Part II, Item 1A in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for information concerning the key risks to achieving future performance goals.
The MD&A is organized in the following sections:
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 90 brand names in approximately 80 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 Acquisitions
On May 31, 2023, we completed the acquisition of certain assets that provide additional manufacturing capacity from Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing, Inc. (“Weaver”), a leader in the production and co-packing of microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat popcorn, and former co-manufacturer of the Company’s SkinnyPop brand.
TRENDS AFFECTING OUR BUSINESS
Throughout the first quarter of 2024, the U.S. consumer continued to drive momentum within the economy; however, we expect some moderation in consumer spending throughout the remainder of 2024 as cost fatigue and labor markets restrict income growth and constrain consumer spending power and purchasing behaviors. Net sales and net income increased during the three months ended March 31, 2024, as we continued to experience a dynamic macroeconomic environment, including price volatility related to select commodities, resulting in corresponding incremental costs and gross margin pressures. Despite specific actions taken to mitigate these gross margin pressures, higher prices for direct materials used to manufacture our products were, and continue to be, the primary incremental cost to our business (see Consolidated Results of Operations included in this MD&A). We utilize many exchange traded commodities for our business that are subject to price volatility, specifically cocoa products, which experienced a market price increase of approximately 140% since the beginning of the year (see Part I, Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q). We continue to monitor and use our risk management strategy where possible to hedge commodity prices in order to mitigate corresponding increases in our raw materials and energy costs (see Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q).
Furthermore, certain geopolitical events, specifically the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, have increased global economic and political uncertainty. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, 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 31, 2024, 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, the possibility of a recession, changes in consumer shopping and consumption behavior, and changes in geopolitical events, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, we may experience increasing supply chain costs, higher inflation and other impacts to our business. We will continue to evaluate the nature and extent of these potential and evolving impacts on our business, consolidated results of operations, segment results, liquidity and capital resources.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||
In millions of dollars except per share amounts | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 3,252.7 | $ | 2,987.6 | 8.9 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,576.6 | 1,605.3 | (1.8) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 1,676.1 | 1,382.3 | 21.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 51.5 | % | 46.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Selling, marketing & administrative (“SM&A”) expenses | 618.0 | 581.6 | 6.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| SM&A expense as a percent of net sales | 19.0 | % | 19.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Business realignment activities | — | 0.8 | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating profit | 1,058.1 | 799.9 | 32.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating profit margin | 32.5 | % | 26.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 39.8 | 37.7 | 5.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | 32.0 | 2.9 | 973.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 188.8 | 172.1 | 9.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 19.1% | 22.7% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 797.5 | $ | 587.2 | 35.8 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Net income per share—diluted | $ | 3.89 | $ | 2.85 | 36.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
| NOTE: Percentage changes may not compute directly as shown due to rounding of amounts presented above. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| NM = not meaningful | ||||||||||||||||||||
Results of Operations - First Quarter 2024 vs. First Quarter 2023
Net Sales
Net sales were $3,252.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $2,987.6 million in the same period of 2023, an increase of $265.1 million, or 8.9%. The net sales increase reflects a favorable price realization of 5.2% driven by higher list prices primarily within our North America Confectionery and North America Salty Snacks segments. The net sales increase was further driven by a volume increase of 3.4% primarily due to an increase in everyday core U.S. confection, as a result of accelerated shipments in anticipation of our enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system implementation, which was completed in the beginning of the second quarter of 2024, as well as an increase in salty snack brands. Foreign currency exchange rates resulted in a 0.3% impact.
Key U.S. Marketplace Metrics
For the first quarter of 2024, our total U.S. retail takeaway increased 7.0% in the expanded multi-outlet combined plus convenience store channels (Circana MULO + C-Stores), which includes candy, mint, gum, salty snacks and grocery items. Our U.S. candy, mint and gum (“CMG”) consumer takeaway increased 8.1% and experienced a CMG market share increase of 6 basis points. Our Salty consumer takeaway declined 4.1% in the first quarter of 2024 and experienced a Salty market share decline of 16 basis points.
The CMG consumer takeaway and market share information reflects measured channels of distribution accounting for approximately 90% of our U.S. confectionery retail business. These channels of distribution primarily include food, drug, mass merchandisers, and convenience store channels, plus Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 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.
Cost of Sales and Gross Margin
Cost of sales were $1,576.6 million in the first quarter 2024 compared to $1,605.3 million in the same period 2023, a decrease of $28.7 million, or 1.8%. The decrease was driven by an incremental $208.4 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). The decrease was further driven by $57.7 million of favorable supply chain productivity. The decreases were partially offset by $237.4 million driven by higher commodity costs, primarily driven by cocoa, unfavorable mix and higher supply chain costs.
Gross margin was 51.5% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 46.3% in the same period of 2023, an increase of 520 basis points. The increase was driven by favorable activity on our mark-to-market impact from commodity derivative instruments, favorable price realization, volume increases, and favorable supply chain productivity. The increase was partially offset by unfavorable commodity costs, higher supply chain costs, including higher labor costs, and unfavorable mix.
SM&A Expenses
SM&A expenses were $618.0 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $581.6 million in the same period of 2023, an increase of $36.4 million, or 6.3%. Total advertising and related consumer marketing expenses increased 12.0% driven primarily by increases across all segments. SM&A expenses, excluding advertising and related consumer marketing, increased approximately 3.3% in the first quarter of 2024 driven by higher investments in capabilities and technology and higher compensation costs across segments.
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. During the first quarter of 2024, we recorded no business realignment costs versus costs of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2023. The costs in 2023 related to the International Optimization Program, which completed in 2023. The International Optimization Program was focused on optimizing our China operating model to improve our operational efficiency and provide for a strong, sustainable and simplified base going forward. In February 2024, the Board of Directors approved the Advancing Agility & Automation (“AAA”) Initiative, 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 $1,058.1 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $799.9 million in the same period of 2023, an increase of $258.2 million, or 32.3%. The increase was predominantly due to higher gross profit, partially offset by higher SM&A expenses, as noted above. Operating profit margin increased to 32.5% in 2024 from 26.8% in 2023 driven by the same factors noted above that resulted in higher gross margin for the period.
Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense was $39.8 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $37.7 million in the same period of 2023, an increase of $2.1 million, or 5.7%. The increase was primarily due to higher rates on long-term debt balances in 2024 versus 2023, specifically related to the $350 million 4.25% Notes and $400 million 4.50% Notes issued in May 2023. The increase was partially offset by higher interest income.
Other (Income) Expense, Net
Other (income) expense, net was $32.0 million in the first quarter of 2024 versus net expense of $2.9 million in the first quarter of 2023, an increase of $29.1 million, or 973.4%. The increase in net expense was primarily driven by an increase of $31.4 million of higher write-downs on equity investments qualifying for tax credits in 2024 versus the first quarter of 2023, partially offset by a decrease of $2.6 million of non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost relating to pension and other post-retirement benefit plans.
Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rate
The effective income tax rate was 19.1% for the first quarter of 2024 compared with 22.7% for the first quarter of 2023. Relative to the 21% statutory rate, the 2024 effective tax rate was primarily impacted by investment tax credits partially offset by state taxes. Relative to the 21% statutory rate, the 2023 effective tax rate was impacted by state taxes, partially offset by employee share-based payments.
Net Income and Earnings Per Share-diluted
Net income was $797.5 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $587.2 million in the same period of 2023, an increase of $210.3 million, or 35.8%. EPS-diluted was $3.89 in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $2.85 in the first quarter of 2023, an increase of $1.04, or 36.5%. The increase in both net income and EPS-diluted was driven primarily by higher gross profit, partially offset by higher SM&A expenses, higher other income and expenses and higher income taxes. Our 2024 EPS-diluted also benefited from lower weighted-average shares outstanding as a result of share repurchases pursuant to our Board-approved repurchase programs.
SEGMENT RESULTS
The summary that follows provides a discussion of the results of operations of our three reportable 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 the Chief Operating Decision Maker 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.
Our segment results, including a reconciliation to our consolidated results, were as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| In millions of dollars | ||||||||||||||
| Net Sales: | ||||||||||||||
| North America Confectionery | $ | 2,707.3 | $ | 2,452.2 | ||||||||||
| North America Salty Snacks | 275.1 | 270.0 | ||||||||||||
| International | 270.3 | 265.4 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,252.7 | $ | 2,987.6 | ||||||||||
| Segment Income: | ||||||||||||||
| North America Confectionery | $ | 948.2 | $ | 887.8 | ||||||||||
| North America Salty Snacks | 38.7 | 46.8 | ||||||||||||
| International | 42.8 | 55.0 | ||||||||||||
| Total segment income | 1,029.7 | 989.6 | ||||||||||||
| Unallocated corporate expense (1) | 172.9 | 177.1 | ||||||||||||
| Unallocated mark-to-market losses on commodity derivatives (2) | (218.0) | 10.2 | ||||||||||||
| (Benefits) costs associated with business realignment activities | 16.7 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||
| Operating profit | 1,058.1 | 800.0 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 39.8 | 37.7 | ||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | 32.0 | 3.0 | ||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | $ | 986.3 | $ | 759.3 | ||||||||||
(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 83.2% and 82.1% of our net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023, respectively, were as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||
| In millions of dollars | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,707.3 | $ | 2,452.2 | 10.4 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Segment income | 948.2 | 887.8 | 6.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Segment margin | 35.0 | % | 36.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Results of Operations - First Quarter 2024 vs. First Quarter 2023
Net sales of our North America Confectionery segment were $2,707.3 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $2,452.2 million in the same period of 2023, an increase of $255.1 million, or 10.4%. The increase reflected a favorable price realization of 5.9% primarily due to list price increases on certain products across our portfolio. The increase was further driven by a volume increase of 4.5% driven primarily by an increase in everyday core U.S. confection, as a result of accelerated shipments in anticipation of our ERP system implementation, which was completed in the beginning of the second quarter of 2024.
Our North America Confectionery segment also includes licensing and owned retail. This includes our Hershey’s Chocolate World stores in the United States (3 locations), Niagara Falls (Ontario) and Singapore. Our net sales for licensing and owned retail increased approximately 11.0% during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023.
Our North America Confectionery segment income was $948.2 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $887.8 million in the same period of 2023, an increase of $60.4 million, or 6.8%. The increase was primarily due to favorable price realization and volume increases, partially offset by higher commodity costs, higher supply chain inflation costs, including higher labor costs, and unfavorable product mix.
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 8.5% and 9.0% of our net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023, respectively, were as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||
| In millions of dollars | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 275.1 | $ | 270.0 | 1.9 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Segment income | 38.7 | 46.8 | (17.3) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Segment margin | 14.1 | % | 17.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Results of Operations - First Quarter 2024 vs. First Quarter 2023
Net sales of our North America Salty Snacks segment were $275.1 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $270.0 million in the same period of 2023, an increase of $5.1 million, or 1.9%. The increase reflected a favorable price realization of 1.7%, due to list price increases on certain products across our portfolio, primarily Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels, and a volume increase of 0.2%, primarily due to Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels, substantially offset by volume declines in SkinnyPop snacks.
Our North America Salty Snacks segment income was $38.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $46.8 million in the same period of 2023, a decrease of $8.1 million, or 17.3%. The decrease was primarily due to increased commodity costs, higher supply chain costs and increased advertising and related consumer marketing costs, partially offset by favorable price realization.
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, the Middle East and Africa (“AMEA”) and other regions. International results, which accounted for 8.3% and 8.9% of our net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023, respectively, were as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||
| In millions of dollars | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 270.3 | $ | 265.4 | 1.8 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Segment income | 42.8 | 55.0 | (22.2) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Segment margin | 15.8 | % | 20.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Results of Operations - First Quarter 2024 vs. First Quarter 2023
Net sales of our International segment were $270.3 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $265.4 million in the same period of 2023, an increase $4.9 million, or 1.8%. The increase was due to favorable price realization of 3.5%, and a favorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates of 3.1%, primarily driven by Mexico. The increase was partially offset by volume declines of 4.8% primarily driven by Mexico.
Our International segment generated income of $42.8 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $55.0 million in the first quarter of 2023, a decrease of $12.2 million, or 22.2%, driven primarily by volume declines, increased commodity costs, and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by favorable price realization.
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 2024, unallocated corporate expense totaled $172.9 million, as compared to $177.1 million in the first quarter of 2023, a decrease of $4.2 million, or 2.4%. The decrease was primarily driven by lower acquisition and integration related costs, partially offset by higher compensation costs and higher investments in capabilities and 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 31, 2024, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $520.4 million, an increase of $118.5 million compared to the 2023 year-end balance. Additional detail regarding the net uses of cash are outlined in the following discussion. Additionally, at March 31, 2024, we had outstanding short- and long-term debt totaling $5.4 billion, of which $305.4 million was classified as the current portion of long-term debt. Of the $305.4 million, $300 million of 2.050% Notes are due upon maturity on November 15, 2024. We believe we can satisfy these debt obligations with cash generated from our operation, issuing new debt, and/or by borrowing on our unsecured credit facility.
Approximately 55% of the balance of our cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2024 was held by subsidiaries domiciled outside of the United States. A majority of this balance is distributable to the United States without material tax implications, such as withholding tax. We intend to continue to reinvest the remainder of the earnings 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.
Cash Flow Summary
The following table is derived from our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| In millions of dollars | March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 569.2 | $ | 755.4 | ||||||||||
| Investing activities | (227.6) | (188.3) | ||||||||||||
| Financing activities | (221.7) | (552.2) | ||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (1.4) | (18.4) | ||||||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 118.5 | $ | (3.5) | ||||||||||
Operating activities
We generated cash of $569.2 million from operating activities in the first three months of 2024, a decrease of $186.2 million compared to $755.4 million in the same period of 2023. This decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was mainly driven by the following factors:
•Net income adjusted for non-cash charges to operations (including depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, deferred income taxes, a write-down of equity investments, unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts and other charges) resulted in $31.5 million of lower cash flow in 2024 relative to 2023.
•In the aggregate, select net working capital items, specifically, trade accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, consumed cash of $237.7 million in 2024, compared to $128.2 million in 2023. This $109.5 million fluctuation was mainly driven by an increase in cash used by accounts receivable due to an increase in sales of everyday core U.S. confection brands and salty snack brands and the timing of vendor and supplier payments.
•Timing of income tax payments contributed to an increase in operating cash of $147.5 million in 2024, compared to an increase of $174.2 million in 2023. This $26.7 million fluctuation was primarily due to the variance in actual tax expense for 2024 relative to the timing of quarterly estimated tax payments. We paid cash of $31.3 million for income taxes during 2024 compared to $12.3 million in the same period of 2023.
Investing activities
We used cash of $227.6 million for investing activities in the first three months of 2024, an increase of $39.3 million compared to $188.3 million in the same period of 2023. This increase in net cash used in investing activities was mainly driven by the following factors:
•Capital spending. Capital expenditures, including capitalized software, primarily to support our ERP system implementation, capacity expansion, innovation and cost savings, were $213.3 million in the first three months of 2024 compared to $176.1 million in the same period of 2023. Expenditures increased due to progress on capacity expansion projects and our ERP system implementation. We expect 2024 capital expenditures, including capitalized software, to approximate $600 million to $650 million. The decrease in our 2024 capital expenditures is largely driven by the wind down of our key strategic initiatives, including completion of the upgrade of a new ERP system across the enterprise in 2024. We intend to use our existing cash and internally generated funds to meet our 2024 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 invested approximately $13.9 million in the first three months of 2024, compared to $12.3 million in the same period of 2023.
•Other investing activities. In 2024 and 2023, our other investing activities were minimal.
Financing activities
We used cash of $221.7 million for financing activities in the first three months of 2024, a decrease of $330.5 million compared to $552.2 million in the same period of 2023. This decrease in net cash used 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 2024, we generated cash of $569.9 million predominately through the issuance of short-term commercial paper, as well as an increase in short-term foreign bank borrowings. During the first three months of 2023, we used cash of $90.7 million to reduce a portion of our short-term commercial paper borrowings , partially offset by an increase in short-term foreign bank borrowings.
•Long-term debt borrowings and repayments. During the first three months of 2024 and 2023, long-term debt borrowings and repayments were minimal.
•Dividend payments. Total dividend payments to holders of our Common Stock and Class B Common Stock were $273.4 million during the first three months of 2024, an increase of $66.0 million compared to $207.4 million in the same period of 2023. Details regarding our 2024 cash dividends paid to stockholders are as follows:
| Quarter Ended | ||||||||
| In millions of dollars except per share amounts | March 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Dividends paid per share – Common stock | $ | 1.370 | ||||||
| Dividends paid per share – Class B common stock | $ | 1.245 | ||||||
| Total cash dividends paid | $ | 273.4 | ||||||
| Declaration date | February 7, 2024 | |||||||
| Record date | February 20, 2024 | |||||||
| Payment date | March 15, 2024 | |||||||
•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. Details regarding our share repurchases are as follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| In millions | March 31, 2024 | April 2, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Milton Hershey School Trust repurchase (1) | $ | — | $ | 239.9 | ||||||||||
| Shares repurchased in the open market under pre-approved share repurchase programs (2) | 400.0 | — | ||||||||||||
| Shares repurchased in the open market to replace Treasury Stock issued for stock options and incentive compensation | $ | 94.2 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Cash used for total share repurchases (excluding excise tax) | $ | 494.2 | $ | 239.9 | ||||||||||
| Total shares repurchased under pre-approved share repurchase programs | 2.0 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||
(1) In February 2023, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Hershey Trust Company, as trustee for the Milton Hershey School Trust (the “School Trust”), pursuant to which the Company purchased 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock from the Milton Hershey School Trust at a price equal to $239.91 per share, for a total purchase price of $239.9 million.
(2) In July 2018, our Board of Directors approved a $500 million share repurchase authorization to repurchase shares of our Common Stock. As a result of the February 2023 Stock Purchase Agreement with Hershey Trust Company, as trustee for the School Trust, the July 2018 share repurchase authorization was completed. In May 2021, our Board of Directors approved an additional $500 million share repurchase authorization, which was completed as of March 31, 2024. In December 2023, our Board of Directors approved an additional $500 million share repurchase authorization. This program commenced after the existing May 2021 authorization was completed and is to be utilized at management’s discretion. 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.
•Proceeds from exercised stock options and employee tax withholding. During the first three months of 2024, we received $4.1 million from employee exercises of stock options and paid $26.4 million of employee taxes withheld from share-based awards. During the first three months of 2023, we received $15.2 million from employee exercises of stock options and paid $28.3 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 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2023.
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 or concerns 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 and our ability to successfully hedge against volatility in raw material pricing, could 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 and regulations 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 between Russia and Ukraine, could negatively impact our financial results;
•Disruptions, failures or security breaches of our information technology infrastructure could have a negative impact on our operations;
•Complications with the design, implementation or usage of our new enterprise resource planning system, including the ability to support post-implementation efforts and maintain enhancements, new features or modifications, could adversely impact our business and operations; and
•Such other matters as discussed in our 2023 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 debt of $769.2 million and net debt of $317.9 million, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates applied to this variable-rate short-term debt as of March 31, 2024 would have changed interest expense by approximately $1.9 million for the first three months of 2024 and $3.1 million for 2023.
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 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 by approximately $162 million and $203 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 $19.2 million as of March 31, 2024 and $20.2 million as of December 31, 2023, 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 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K are described below.
Cocoa Products
During the first quarter of 2024, the average cocoa futures contract price was $2.60 per pound, with a trading range of $1.99 to $3.35 per pound, based on the Intercontinental Exchange futures contract. This average cocoa futures contract price represents an increase of approximately 74% compared to the 2023 annual average of $1.49 per pound. The production forecast for the 2023 – 2024 season is down significantly in Ghana and Ivory Coast, and has continued to deteriorate due to a combination of adverse weather and crop disease, leading to lower than expected outputs and a reduction in global cocoa bean inventory. Further, during April 2024, we continued to experience rising market prices for cocoa futures, which may have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
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 $206.3 million as of March 31, 2024 and $94.9 million as of December 31, 2023. At the end of the first quarter of 2024, the potential change in fair value of commodity derivative instruments, assuming a 10% decrease in the underlying commodity price, would have increased our net unrealized losses by $10.5 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 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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 31, 2024. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2024.
Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
As of March 31, 2024, we were in the process of our multi-year implementation of a new global enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system, which replaces our existing operating and financial systems. The ERP system is designed to accurately maintain the Company’s financial records, enhance operational functionality, and provide timely information to the Company’s management team related to the operation of the business. During the third quarter of 2022, we completed the implementation of one operating segment that is included in our International segment. In July 2023, we completed the transition to our new consolidated financial reporting book of record. During, October 2023, we completed the implementation of our new ERP system in the North America Salty Snacks segment. We updated our internal controls to reflect changes to the financial reporting business processes impacted by the implementation. There have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
We completed the implementation of our new ERP system in the North America Confectionery segment and select operating segments included in our International segment in April 2024. The implementation of the new ERP system results in material changes to our internal controls over financial reporting. The Company has updated the internal controls as appropriate and will continue to monitor the impact of the implementation on our financial reporting business processes.
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.
The following risk factors relating to increases in and adequate supplies of raw materials, and our multi-year implementation of a new global enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system, should be read in conjunction with the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "2023 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. The developments described in these risk factors have heightened, or in some cases manifested, certain of the risks disclosed in the risk factor section of our 2023 Form 10-K, and such risk factors are further qualified by the information described in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including in the risk factors below.
Risk Related to the Industry in Which We Operate
Increases in raw material and energy costs, along with the availability of adequate supplies of raw materials and our ability to successfully hedge against volatility in raw material pricing, could affect future financial results.
We use many different commodities for our business, including cocoa products, sugar, corn products, dairy products, wheat products, peanuts, almonds, natural gas and diesel fuel.
Commodities are subject to price volatility and changes in supply caused by numerous factors, including:
•Commodity market fluctuations;
•Currency exchange rates;
•Imbalances between supply and demand;
•Rising levels of inflation and interest rates related to domestic and global economic conditions or supply chain issues;
•The effects of climate change, extreme weather or agricultural diseases on crop yield and quality;
•Speculative influences;
•Trade agreements among producing and consuming nations;
•Supplier compliance with commitments;
•Import/export requirements for raw materials and finished goods;
•Political unrest in producing countries;
•Introduction of living income premiums or similar requirements;
•Changes in governmental agricultural programs and energy policies; and
•Other events beyond our control such as the impacts on the business or supply chain arising from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Although we use forward contracts and commodity futures and options contracts to hedge commodity prices where possible, commodity price increases ultimately result in corresponding increases in our raw material and energy costs. For example, our cost of sales during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023 experienced an incremental $208.4 million of favorable mark-to-market activity on our commodity derivative instruments intended to economically hedge future years’ commodity purchases, more than offsetting higher commodity costs. During the first quarter of 2024, market prices for the majority of our exchange traded commodities increased, including cocoa and sugar futures which have increased approximately 140% and 10%, respectively, since the beginning of the year. Further, we continued to experience rising market prices for cocoa futures during April 2024 due to a combination of adverse weather and crop disease, leading to lower than expected outputs and a reduction in global cocoa bean inventory.
We continue to monitor and use our risk management strategy where possible to hedge commodity prices in order to mitigate corresponding increases in our raw materials and energy costs, however, if we are unable to offset cost increases for major raw materials and energy, there could be a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
Complications with the design, implementation or usage of our new enterprise resource planning system, including the ability to support post-implementation efforts and maintain enhancements, new features or modifications, could adversely impact our business and operations.
We rely extensively on information systems and technology to manage our business and summarize operating results. We are in the process of a multi-year implementation of a new global ERP system; specifically, in April 2024, we operationalized the final phase of our project by implementing our new ERP system in the North America Confectionery segment and select operating segments included in our International segment. This ERP system replaces our legacy operating and financial systems and is designed to accurately maintain the Company’s financial records, enhance operational functionality and provide timely information to the Company’s management team related to the operation of the business. The ERP system implementation process has required, and will continue to require, the investment of significant personnel and financial resources as we support post-implementation efforts and system functionality. We may not be able to successfully support post-implementation efforts without experiencing delays, increased costs and other difficulties. Any disruptions or difficulties in using our ERP system could result in harm to our business, including our ability to forecast, manufacture or facilitate the shipment of our product, record net sales and collect our outstanding receivables. If we are unable to successfully manage post-implementation efforts related to our new ERP system as planned, our financial positions, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively impacted. Additionally, if the ERP system does not operate as intended, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting could be adversely affected or our ability to assess those controls adequately could be further delayed.
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 31, 2024.
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 28 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 870,073 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| January 29 through February 25 | 483,033 | $ | 194.39 | — | $ | 870,073 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| February 26 through March 31 | — | $ | 197.80 | 2,022,064 | $ | 470,073 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 483,033 | $ | — | 2,022,064 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) During the three months ended March 31, 2024, 483,033 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 May 2021, our Board of Directors approved a $500 million share repurchase authorization, which was completed as of March 31, 2024. In December 2023, our Board of Directors approved an additional $500 million share repurchase authorization. This program commenced after the existing May 2021 authorization was completed and is to be utilized at management’s discretion. 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.
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.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) adopted terminated
Item 6. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:
| Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||
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 31, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101. | |||||||
| * | Filed herewith | |||||||
| ** | Furnished herewith | |||||||
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: | May 3, 2024 | /s/ Steven E. Voskuil | ||||||||||||
Steven E. Voskuil | ||||||||||||||
| Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||||||
| (Principal Financial Officer) | ||||||||||||||
| Date: | May 3, 2024 | /s/ Jennifer L. McCalman | ||||||||||||
| Jennifer L. McCalman | ||||||||||||||
| Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer | ||||||||||||||
| (Principal Accounting Officer) | ||||||||||||||
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Michele G. Buck, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Hershey Company;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ MICHELE G. BUCK | ||
Michele G. Buck Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| May 3, 2024 | ||
The Hershey Company | Q1 2024 Form 10-Q | Exhibit 31.1 |  | |||||||
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Steven E. Voskuil, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Hershey Company;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
/S/ STEVEN E. VOSKUIL | ||
Steven E. Voskuil Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | ||
| May 3, 2024 | ||
The Hershey Company | Q1 2024 Form 10-Q | Exhibit 31.2 |  | |||||||
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned officers of The Hershey Company (the “Company”) hereby certify, to the best of their knowledge, that the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: | May 3, 2024 | /s/ MICHELE G. BUCK | |||||||||
| Michele G. Buck Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |||||||||||
Date: | May 3, 2024 | /s/ STEVEN E. VOSKUIL | |||||||||
| Steven E. Voskuil Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | |||||||||||
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
The Hershey Company | Q1 2024 Form 10-Q | Exhibit 32.1 |  | |||||||