f8k_2q2009-earningsrelease.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549
______________________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                               July 23, 2009                             
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

                       The Hershey Company                    
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                               Delaware                              
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

                    1-183                    
                   23-0691590                    
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

  100 Crystal A Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania  17033  
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)  (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (717) 534-4200

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[   ]
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
[   ]
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
[   ]
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
[   ]
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 
 

 


INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORT


Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On July 23, 2009, The Hershey Company (“the Company”) announced sales and earnings for the second quarter of 2009.  A copy of the Company’s press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this Current Report, including the Exhibit, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.


Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)
Exhibits
 
 
99.1
Press Release dated July 23, 2009




SIGNATURE

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.

Date:   July 23, 2009


 
THE HERSHEY COMPANY
 
 
 
 
By:       /s/ Humberto P. Alfonso
 
Humberto P. Alfonso
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 
 

 



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
Description
   
99.1
The Hershey Company Press Release dated July 23, 2009

 
 

 




exh991_pressrelease.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
HERSHEY ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
AND INCREASES FULL YEAR NET SALES AND EPS OUTLOOK
 
·  
Net Sales increase 5.9%
 
·  
Earnings per share-diluted of $0.31 as reported and $0.43 adjusted
 
                 ·
 2009 outlook for net sales growth to be in 3-5% long-term range and increase in adjusted earnings per share-diluted to be slightly above the 6-8% range
 

HERSHEY, Pa., July 23, 2009 — The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced sales and earnings for the second quarter ended July 5, 2009. Consolidated net sales were $1,171,183,000 compared with $1,105,437,000 for the second quarter of 2008. Net income for the second quarter of 2009 was $71,298,000 or $0.31 per share-diluted, compared with $41,467,000 or $0.18 per share-diluted, for the comparable period of 2008.
 
For the second quarters of 2009 and 2008, these results, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), include net pre-tax charges of $42.7 million and $39.3 million, or $0.12 and $0.11 per share-diluted, respectively. These charges were associated with the Global Supply Chain Transformation (“GSCT”) program. Adjusted net income, which excludes these net charges, was $97,965,000 or $0.43 per share-diluted in the second quarter of 2009, compared with $66,952,000, or $0.29 per share-diluted in the second quarter of 2008, an increase of 48 percent in adjusted earnings per share-diluted.
 
For the first six months of 2009, consolidated net sales were $2,407,214,000 compared with $2,265,779,000 for the first six months of 2008. Reported net income for the first six months of 2009 was $147,192,000 or $0.64 per share-diluted, compared with $104,712,000 or $0.46 per share-diluted, for the first six months of 2008.
 
For the first six months of 2009 and 2008, these results, prepared in accordance with GAAP, include net pre-tax charges of $61.7 million and $69.9 million, or $0.17 and $0.20 per share, respectively. These charges were associated with the GSCT program. Adjusted net income for the first six months of 2009, which excludes these net charges, was $183,957,000, or $0.81 per share-diluted, compared with $150,867,000 or $0.66 per share-diluted in 2008, an increase of 23 percent in adjusted earnings per share-diluted.
 
Total GSCT program costs to date are $591.7 million. The forecast for total charges related to the program has been narrowed and is now expected to be $640 million to $665 million and includes $40 million to $65 million of non-cash pension settlement charges, discussed in prior quarters and described in Appendix A. For 2009, total GAAP charges related to the GSCT program are expected to be $85 million to $120 million, including non-cash pension settlement charges of $40 million to $50 million.
 
Second Quarter Performance and Outlook
 
“Hershey’s second quarter results reflect continued momentum in the marketplace,” said David J. West, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Investments in our core brands and retail selling capabilities have resulted in strong gains in net sales, profit and U.S. market share. Net sales increased by 5.9 percent driven by the U.S. pricing action announced in August 2008, partially offset by volume declines associated with pricing elasticity and the impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. Core brands are responding to the investments in advertising, in-store programming and merchandising. In the second quarter, advertising increased 46 percent as we were on air supporting our core brands, the Easter season and the kick-off of our annual S’mores promotion.
 
“U.S. retail takeaway for the 24-weeks ended June 14, 2009, which along with the comparable period in 2008 encompasses each year’s entire Easter season results, in channels that account for over 80 percent of our retail business, was up 8.9 percent. In the channels measured by syndicated data, U.S. market share in the second quarter and year-to-date periods increased an identical 0.5 points.
 
“Performance was balanced across all classes of trade. Where we have focused resources, particularly in the food and convenience channels, results have exceeded our expectations. In the convenience store channel, Hershey has outpaced category retail takeaway for 11 consecutive four-week periods. In the second quarter, convenience store retail takeaway was up mid-single digits.
 
 
 

 
“Adjusted income before interest and income taxes increased 19.5 percent in the second quarter, resulting in a 150 basis point margin improvement, driven by net price realization; volume trends that were better than our initial expectations, particularly for our standard and king-size bars; supply chain efficiencies; and productivity gains. Offsetting a portion of these gains were higher commodity and energy costs, employee-related costs, including pension expense, and greater levels of consumer investment spending.
 
“Despite the challenging economic environment, we have maintained strong momentum. As we enter the third quarter, we are well-positioned to deliver on our financial objectives. Brand-building initiatives are having the desired effect and have helped to mitigate volume declines due to price elasticity. We expect consumers to see markedly higher promoted price points in the upcoming Halloween and Holiday seasons, which represent approximately one-third of our U.S. revenues in the second half of the year. Additionally, in the fourth quarter we begin to lap the August 2008 every day price increase. We intend to make the necessary consumer investments to ensure that the category continues to perform well in the second half of the year and are closely monitoring consumer and competitor response to our pricing models. Therefore, we are planning additional increases in advertising for the full year and expect advertising expense to increase 40 to 45 percent in 2009. This investment will benefit the business in both the near term and next year. As a result, we expect full year net sales growth to be within our 3 to 5 percent long-term objective.
 
“While our year-over-year commodity cost increase remains significant, it will be less than our initial estimate of $175 million. We have visibility into most of the cost structure, except costs for dairy products which remain lower than our initial estimates. While there is not a developed futures market for dairy, over the remainder of the year we do not expect material price inflation for dairy products. Our first-half performance has given us the flexibility to increase full-year brand-building advertising. We’ll also make further investments in category management and global go-to-market capabilities that will benefit the Company over the long term. Considering our strong first-half performance, a good start to the third quarter, solid seasonal programming and, based on year-to-date price/volume elasticity trends, we now expect the increase in adjusted earnings per share-diluted for the full year to be slightly above our long-term objective of 6 to 8 percent,” West concluded.
 
Note: In this release, Hershey has provided income measures excluding certain items described above, in addition to net income determined in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures, as shown in the attached pro forma summary of consolidated statements of income, are used in evaluating results of operations for internal purposes. These non-GAAP measures are not intended to replace the presentation of financial results in accordance with GAAP. Rather, the Company believes exclusion of such items provides additional information to investors to facilitate the comparison of past and present operations.
 
In 2008, the Company recorded GAAP charges of $130.0 million, or $0.38 per share-diluted, attributable to the GSCT program and $45.7 million, or $0.13 per share-diluted, related to intangible trademark values, primarily Mauna Loa, recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008. Additionally, the Company recorded business realignment and impairment charges of $4.9 million, or $0.01 per share-diluted, related to the business realignment in Brazil.
 
In 2009, the Company expects to record total GAAP charges, including possible non-cash pension settlement charges (see Appendix A), of about $85 million to $120 million, or $0.24 to $0.33 per share-diluted.
 
The GSCT program is expected to result in total pre-tax charges and non-recurring project implementation costs of $640 million to $665 million, including possible non-cash pension settlement charges (see Appendix A) in 2009 and 2010. Total charges include project management and start-up costs of approximately $60 million.
 
 
 
 

 

Appendix A
 
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 88, Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits (as amended) (“SFAS No. 88”) requires pension settlement charges to be recorded if withdrawals from pension plans in a calendar year exceed a certain level.
 
Pension settlement charges are non-cash charges for the Company. Such charges accelerate the recognition of pension expenses related to actuarial gains and losses resulting from interest rate changes and differences in actual versus assumed returns on pension assets. The Company normally amortizes actuarial gains and losses over a period of about 13 years.
 
The GSCT program charges recorded in 2007 and 2008 included pension settlement charges of approximately $25 million as employees leaving the Company under the program have withdrawn lump sums from the defined benefit pension plans. Pension settlement charges recorded during the first six months of 2009 totaled approximately $31 million.
 
In addition to the settlement charges reflected above, incremental SFAS No. 88 pension settlement charges of $15 million to $34 million are included in the total GSCT program estimates based upon the current trends of employee withdrawals, with $15 million to $20 million of this amount projected for 2009.
 
The GSCT program is expected to result in total pre-tax charges and non-recurring project implementation costs of $640 million to $665 million, including estimated pension settlement charges in 2009 and 2010.
 
 
 

 
 
Safe Harbor Statement
 
This release contains statements that are forward-looking. These statements are made based upon current expectations that are subject to risk and uncertainty. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: issues or concerns related to the quality and safety of our products, ingredients or packaging; changes in raw material and other costs and selling price increases, including volume declines associated with pricing elasticity; market demand for our new and existing products; increased marketplace competition; political, economic, and/or financial market conditions; changes in governmental laws and regulations, including taxes; risks and uncertainties related to our international operations; the impact of future developments related to the investigation by government regulators of alleged pricing practices by members of the confectionery industry, including risks of subsequent litigation or further government action; pension cost factors, such as actuarial assumptions, market performance and employee retirement decisions; our ability to achieve expected ongoing annual savings from our supply chain transformation and the implementation of our supply chain transformation within the anticipated timeframe in accordance with our cost estimates; and such other matters as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2008. All information in this press release is as of July 23, 2009. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company’s expectations.
 
Live Web Cast
 
As previously announced, the Company will hold a conference call with analysts today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be web cast live via Hershey’s corporate website www.hersheys.com. Please go to the Investor Relations section of the website for further details.
 
###
 
FINANCIAL CONTACT:
Mark Pogharian
717-534-7556
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kirk Saville
717-534-7641
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Summary of Consolidated Statements of Income
 
for the periods ended July 5, 2009 and June 29, 2008
 
(in thousands except per share amounts)
 
   
   
Second Quarter
   
Six Months
 
                         
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 1,171,183     $ 1,105,437     $ 2,407,214     $ 2,265,779  
                                 
Costs and Expenses:
                               
Cost of Sales
    717,893       722,926       1,513,696       1,506,816  
Selling, Marketing and Administrative
    298,710       266,612       573,166       516,561  
Business Realignment and Impairment Charges, net
    37,904       21,786       50,742       25,871  
                                 
Total Costs and Expenses
    1,054,507       1,011,324       2,137,604       2,049,248  
                                 
Income Before Interest and Income Taxes (EBIT)
    116,676       94,113       269,610       216,531  
Interest Expense, net
    22,734       23,610       46,630       47,996  
                                 
Income Before Income Taxes
    93,942       70,503       222,980       168,535  
Provision for Income Taxes
    22,644       29,036       75,788       63,823  
                                 
Net Income
  $ 71,298     $ 41,467     $ 147,192     $ 104,712  
                                 
Net Income Per Share - Basic - Common
  $ 0.32     $ 0.19     $ 0.66     $ 0.47  
  - Basic - Class B
  $ 0.29     $ 0.17     $ 0.60     $ 0.43  
- Diluted - Common
  $ 0.31     $ 0.18     $ 0.64     $ 0.46  
                                 
Shares Outstanding  - Basic - Common
    166,846       166,624       166,817       166,701  
  - Basic - Class B
    60,710       60,806       60,710       60,806  
- Diluted - Common
    228,489       228,664       228,396       228,798  
                                 
Key Margins:
                               
Gross Margin
    38.7     34.6     37.1 %     33.5 %
EBIT Margin
    10.0     8.5     11.2 %     9.6 %
Net Margin
    6.1     3.8     6.1 %     4.6 %
                                 
 
 
 

 

 
The Hershey Company
 
Pro Forma Summary of Consolidated Statements of Income
 
for the periods ended July 5, 2009 and June 29, 2008
 
(in thousands except per share amounts)
 
   
   
Second Quarter
   
Six Months
 
                         
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 1,171,183     $ 1,105,437     $ 2,407,214     $ 2,265,779  
                                 
Costs and Expenses:
                               
Cost of Sales
    714,777 (a)     707,899 (d)     1,506,529 (a)     1,466,635 (d)
Selling, Marketing and Administrative
    297,039 (b)     264,169 (e)     569,412 (b)     512,684 (e)
Business Realignment and Impairment Charges, net
    (c)     (f)     (c)     (f)
                                 
   Total Costs and Expenses
    1,011,816       972,068       2,075,941       1,979,319  
                                 
Income Before Interest and Income Taxes (EBIT)
    159,367       133,369       331,273       286,460  
Interest Expense, net
    22,734       23,610       46,630       47,996  
                                 
Income Before Income Taxes
    136,633       109,759       284,643       238,464  
Provision for Income Taxes
    38,668       42,807       100,686       87,597  
                                 
Adjusted Net Income
  $ 97,965     $ 66,952     $ 183,957     $ 150,867  
                                 
Adjusted Net Income Per Share
                                - Basic - Common
  $ 0.44     $ 0.30     $ 0.83     $ 0.68  
 - Basic - Class B
  $ 0.40     $ 0.27     $ 0.75     $ 0.61  
 - Diluted - Common
  $ 0.43     $ 0.29     $ 0.81     $ 0.66  
                                 
Shares Outstanding    - Basic - Common
    166,846       166,624       166,817       166,701  
  - Basic - Class B
    60,710       60,806       60,710       60,806  
  - Diluted - Common
    228,489       228,664       228,396       228,798  
                                 
Key Margins:
                               
   Adjusted Gross Margin
    39.0 %       36.0 %       37.4 %       35.3 %  
   Adjusted EBIT Margin
    13.6 %       12.1 %       13.8 %       12.6 %  
   Adjusted Net Margin
    8.4 %       6.1 %       7.6 %       6.7 %  
                                 
(a) Excludes business realignment and impairment charges of $3.1 million pre-tax or $2.0 million after-tax for the second quarter and $7.2 million pre-tax or $4.2 million after-tax for the six months.
(b) Excludes business realignment and impairment charges of $1.7 million pre-tax or $1.1 million after-tax for the second quarter and $3.8 million pre-tax or $2.2 million after-tax for the six months.
(c) Excludes business realignment and impairment charges of $37.9 million pre-tax or $23.6 million after-tax for the second quarter and $50.7 million pre-tax or $30.3 million after-tax for the six months.
(d) Excludes business realignment and impairment charges of $15.0 million pre-tax or $10.0 million after-tax for the second quarter and $40.2 million pre-tax or $27.4 million after-tax for the six months.
(e) Excludes business realignment and impairment charges of $2.4 million pre-tax or $1.7 million after-tax for the second quarter and $3.9 million pre-tax or $2.2 million after-tax for the six months.
(f) Excludes business realignment and impairment charges of $21.8 million pre-tax or $13.8 million after-tax for the second quarter and $25.9 million pre-tax or $16.4 million after-tax for the six months.
 
 
 
 

 
 
The Hershey Company
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
as of July 5, 2009 and December 31, 2008
 
(in thousands of dollars)
 
             
             
             
Assets
 
2009
   
2008
 
             
Cash and Cash Equivalents
  $ 28,768     $ 37,103  
Accounts Receivable - Trade (Net)
    272,542       455,153  
Deferred Income Taxes
    65,854       70,903  
Inventories
    642,505       592,530  
Prepaid Expenses and Other
    169,255       189,256  
                 
Total Current Assets
    1,178,924       1,344,945  
                 
Net Plant and Property
    1,440,530       1,458,949  
Goodwill
    563,622       554,677  
Other Intangibles
    125,315       110,772  
Deferred Income Taxes
    21,182       13,815  
Other Assets
    163,849       151,561  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 3,493,422     $ 3,634,719  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
               
                 
Loans Payable
  $ 261,929     $ 501,504  
Accounts Payable
    279,706       249,454  
Accrued Liabilities
    460,304       504,065  
Taxes Payable
          15,189  
                 
Total Current Liabilities
    1,001,939       1,270,212  
                 
Long-Term Debt
    1,504,475       1,505,954  
Other Long-Term Liabilities
    503,638       504,963  
Deferred Income Taxes
    26,190       3,646  
                 
Total Liabilities
    3,036,242       3,284,775  
                 
Total Stockholders' Equity
    457,180       349,944  
                 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 3,493,422     $ 3,634,719