SEC Filing | The Hershey Company

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q



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

For the quarterly period ended July 2, 2017



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

For the transition period

from ______to_______

Commission file number 1-183

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		23-0691590
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
100 Crystal A Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
717-534-4200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes x No ¨

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



Large accelerated filer	x		Accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	¨

Non-accelerated filer	¨	(Do not check if a 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—151,827,032 shares, as of July 21, 2017.

Class B Common Stock, one dollar par value—60,619,777 shares, as of July 21, 2017.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Period Ended July 2, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION		3
Item 1. Financial Statements		3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Six Months Ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016		3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Six Months Ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016		4
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016		5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016		6
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the Six Months Ended July 2, 2017		7
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements		8
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		29
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		47
Item 4. Controls and Procedures		47

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION		48
Item1. Legal Proceedings		48
Item 1A. Risk Factors		48
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		48
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities		49
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures		49
Item 5. Other Information		49
Item 6. Exhibits		49

Signatures		50

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					Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016		July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Net sales	$	1,662,991		$	1,637,671	$	3,542,669		$	3,466,483
Cost of sales	899,781			890,273		1,872,899			1,901,709
Gross profit	763,210			747,398		1,669,770			1,564,774
Selling, marketing and administrative expense	445,888			462,531		907,788			934,265
Long-lived asset impairment charges	—			—		208,712			—
Business realignment costs	1,981			22,105		45,998			28,238
Operating profit	315,341			262,762		507,272			602,271
Interest expense, net	24,126			21,338		47,867			42,343
Other (income) expense, net	10,098			8,128		9,927			(13,097		)
Income before income taxes	281,117			233,296		449,478			573,025
Provision for income taxes	78,390			87,340		148,503			197,237
Net income including noncontrolling interest	202,727			145,956		300,975			375,788
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(774		)	—		(27,570		)	—
Net income attributable to The Hershey Company	$	203,501		$	145,956	$	328,545		$	375,788

Net income per share—basic:
Common stock	$	0.98		$	0.70	$	1.58		$	1.79
Class B common stock	$	0.89		$	0.64	$	1.44		$	1.64

Net income per share—diluted:
Common stock	$	0.95		$	0.68	$	1.53		$	1.74
Class B common stock	$	0.89		$	0.64	$	1.44		$	1.63

Dividends paid per share:
Common stock	$	0.618		$	0.583	$	1.236		$	1.166
Class B common stock	$	0.562		$	0.530	$	1.124		$	1.060

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(unaudited)



	Three Months Ended																		Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017									July 3, 2016									July 2, 2017									July 3, 2016
	Pre-Tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			After-Tax Amount			Pre-Tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			After-Tax Amount			Pre-Tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			After-Tax Amount			Pre-Tax Amount			Tax (Expense) Benefit			After-Tax Amount
Net income including noncontrolling interest							$	202,727								$	145,956								$	300,975								$	375,788
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	4,322		$	—		4,322			$	1,420		$	—		1,420			$	18,273		$	—		18,273			$	13,586		$	—		13,586
Pension and post-retirement benefit plans:
Net actuarial loss and prior service cost	—			—			—			(29,806		)	11,350			(18,456		)	(196		)	74			(122		)	(29,806		)	11,350			(18,456		)
Reclassification to earnings	7,091			(10,984		)	(3,893		)	25,625			(9,781		)	15,844			14,244			(13,695		)	549			34,305			(13,360		)	20,945
Cash flow hedges:
Losses on cash flow hedging derivatives	(707		)	703			(4		)	(21,072		)	7,283			(13,789		)	(2,206		)	882			(1,324		)	(54,981		)	19,048			(35,933		)
Reclassification to earnings	2,379			(1,282		)	1,097			(3,867		)	1,692			(2,175		)	5,412			(2,448		)	2,964			(11,776		)	4,689			(7,087		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$	13,085		$	(11,563	)	1,522			$	(27,700	)	$	10,544		(17,156		)	$	35,527		$	(15,187	)	20,340			$	(48,672	)	$	21,727		(26,945		)
Total comprehensive income including noncontrolling interest							$	204,249								$	128,800								$	321,315								$	348,843
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest							(698		)							(213		)							(27,154		)							(1,289		)
Comprehensive income attributable to The Hershey Company							$	204,947								$	129,013								$	348,469								$	350,132

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)



	July 2, 2017			December 31, 2016
ASSETS	(unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	214,062		$	296,967
Accounts receivable—trade, net	417,457			581,381
Inventories	936,437			745,678
Prepaid expenses and other	343,573			192,752
Total current assets	1,911,529			1,816,778
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,033,790			2,177,248
Goodwill	818,068			812,344
Other intangibles	378,271			492,737
Other assets	182,980			168,365
Deferred income taxes	55,590			56,861
Total assets	$	5,380,228		$	5,524,333
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	471,545		$	522,536
Accrued liabilities	641,743			750,986
Accrued income taxes	6,863			3,207
Short-term debt	621,965			632,471
Current portion of long-term debt	89			243
Total current liabilities	1,742,205			1,909,443
Long-term debt	2,349,756			2,347,455
Other long-term liabilities	397,204			400,161
Deferred income taxes	21,081			39,587
Total liabilities	4,510,246			4,696,646

Stockholders’ equity:
The Hershey Company stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, shares issued: none at July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016	—			—
Common stock, shares issued: 299,281,967 at July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016	299,281			299,281
Class B common stock, shares issued: 60,619,777 at July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016	60,620			60,620
Additional paid-in capital	904,588			869,857
Retained earnings	6,187,409			6,115,961
Treasury—common stock shares, at cost: 147,487,088 at July 2, 2017 and 147,642,009 at December 31, 2016	(6,240,629		)	(6,183,975		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(355,964		)	(375,888		)
Total—The Hershey Company stockholders’ equity	855,305			785,856
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	14,677			41,831
Total stockholders’ equity	869,982			827,687
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	5,380,228		$	5,524,333

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)



	Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Operating Activities
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$	300,975		$	375,788
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	132,079			156,779
Stock-based compensation expense	24,557			26,208
Deferred income taxes	(44,484		)	(5,615		)
Impairment of long-lived assets (see Note 7)	208,712			—
Write-down of equity investments	10,263			15,061
Gain on settlement of SGM liability (see Note 2)	—			(26,650		)
Other	26,418			32,479
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable—trade, net	163,924			118,932
Inventories	(190,759		)	(110,987		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(40,162		)	(32,909		)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(174,004		)	(140,937		)
Accrued income taxes	(74,638		)	(38,301		)
Contributions to pension and other benefits plans	(19,449		)	(16,544		)
Other assets and liabilities	12,302			15,406
Net cash provided by operating activities	335,734			368,710
Investing Activities
Capital additions (including software)	(84,687		)	(104,109		)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment	865			1,657
Equity investments in tax credit qualifying partnerships	(22,415		)	(16,763		)
Business acquisitions, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	—			(285,374		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(106,237		)	(404,589		)
Financing Activities
Net (decrease) increase in short-term debt	(13,696		)	630,121
Repayment of long-term debt	(150		)	—
Payment of SGM liability (see Note 2)	—			(35,762		)
Cash dividends paid	(256,128		)	(243,139		)
Repurchase of common stock	(99,992		)	(452,580		)
Exercise of stock options	54,826			39,147
Net cash used in financing activities	(315,140		)	(62,213		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2,738			1,748
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(82,905		)	(96,344		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	296,967			346,529
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	214,062		$	250,185
Supplemental Disclosure
Interest paid	$	49,565		$	42,005
Income taxes paid	265,756			239,501

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)

(unaudited)



	Preferred Stock		Common Stock		Class B Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings			Treasury Common Stock			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary			Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	—	$	299,281	$	60,620	$	869,857	$	6,115,961		$	(6,183,975	)	$	(375,888	)	$	41,831		$	827,687
Net income (loss)									328,545									(27,570		)	300,975
Other comprehensive income															19,924			416			20,340
Dividends (including dividend equivalents):
Common Stock, $1.236 per share									(188,961		)										(188,961		)
Class B Common Stock, $1.124 per share									(68,136		)										(68,136		)
Stock-based compensation							23,243														23,243
Exercise of stock options and incentive-based transactions							11,488					43,338									54,826
Repurchase of common stock												(99,992		)							(99,992		)
Balance, July 2, 2017	$	—	$	299,281	$	60,620	$	904,588	$	6,187,409		$	(6,240,629	)	$	(355,964	)	$	14,677		$	869,982

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 the noncontrolling shareholders do not have substantive participating rights, or we have significant control over an entity through contractual or economic interests in which we are the primary beneficiary.

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 which are, in our opinion, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows for the indicated periods.

Operating results for the quarter ended July 2, 2017 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017 because of seasonal effects on our business. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (our “2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K”), which provides a more complete understanding of our accounting policies, financial position, operating results and other matters.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. Specifically, this includes amounts reclassified to conform to the current year presentation in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers that supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. This guidance requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows relating to customer contracts. The new standard was originally effective for us on January 1, 2017; however, in July 2015 the FASB decided to defer the effective date by one year. Early application is not permitted, but reporting entities may choose to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. The standard permits the use of either the full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method.

In 2017, we have substantially completed our assessment of the new standard and we do not expect our adoption of the new standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We currently plan to adopt the requirements of the new standard in the first quarter of 2018 utilizing the modified retrospective transition method.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU will require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. This ASU also requires certain quantitative and qualitative disclosures. Accounting guidance for lessors is largely unchanged. The amendments should be applied on a modified retrospective basis. ASU 2016-02 is effective for us beginning January 1, 2019. We are in the process of developing an inventory of our lease arrangements in order to determine the impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Based on our assessment to date, we expect adoption of this standard to result in a material increase in lease-related assets and liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets; however, we do not expect it to have a significant impact on our Consolidated Statements of Income or Cash Flows.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. We adopted the provisions of this ASU in the first quarter of 2017. This update principally affects the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies and the cash flow classification of share-based compensation-related transactions. The requirement to recognize excess tax benefits and deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement was applied prospectively, with a benefit of $7,228 recognized during the six months ended July 2, 2017. Additionally, within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the impact of the adoption resulted in a $14,551 increase in net cash flow from operating activities and a corresponding decrease in net cash flow from financing activities for the six months ended July 2, 2017. These classification requirements were adopted retrospectively to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended July 3, 2016, resulting in a $21,612 increase in net cash flow from operating activities and a corresponding $21,612 decrease in net cash flow from financing activities.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). This ASU will require an employer to report the service cost component of net benefit cost in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if presented, or disclosed separately. In addition, only the service cost component may be eligible for capitalization where applicable. The amendments should be applied on a retrospective basis. ASU 2017-07 is effective for us beginning January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted as of the beginning of a financial year. We currently plan to adopt the requirements of the new standard in the first quarter of 2018 and expect the adoption to impact only classification within our Consolidated Statement of Income.

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

Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for as purchases and, accordingly, the results of operations of the businesses acquired have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the respective dates of the acquisitions. The purchase price for each of the acquisitions is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

2016 Acquisition

Ripple Brand Collective, LLC

On April 26, 2016, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Ripple Brand Collective, LLC, a privately held company based in Congers, New York that owns the barkTHINS mass premium chocolate snacking brand. The barkTHINS brand is largely sold in the United States in take-home resealable packages and is available in the club channel, as well as select natural and conventional grocers. Our consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 included approximately $35,600 attributed to barkTHINS.

The purchase consideration was allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values as follows:



Goodwill	$	128,110
Trademarks	91,200
Other intangible assets	60,900
Other assets, primarily current assets, net of cash acquired totaling $674	12,375
Current liabilities	(7,211		)
Net assets acquired	$	285,374

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition is attributable primarily to the value of leveraging our brand building expertise, consumer insights, supply chain capabilities and retail relationships to accelerate growth and access to barkTHINS products. Acquired trademarks were assigned estimated useful lives of 27 years, while other intangibles, including customer relationships and covenants not to compete, were assigned estimated useful lives ranging from 2 to 14 years. The recorded goodwill, trademarks and other intangibles are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

Shanghai Golden Monkey (“SGM”)

On February 3, 2016, we completed the purchase of the remaining 20% of the outstanding shares of SGM for cash consideration totaling $35,762, pursuant to a new agreement entered into during the fourth quarter of 2015 with the SGM selling shareholders which revised the originally-agreed purchase price for these shares. For accounting purposes, we treated the acquisition as if we had acquired 100% at the initial acquisition date in 2014 and financed the payment for the remaining 20% of the outstanding shares. Therefore, the cash settlement of the liability for the purchase of these remaining shares is reflected within the financing section of the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The final settlement also resulted in an extinguishment gain of $26,650 representing the net carrying amount of the recorded liability in excess of the cash paid to settle the obligation for the remaining 20% of the outstanding shares. This gain is recorded within non-operating other (income) expense, net within the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income.

3. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment for the six months ended July 2, 2017 are as follows:



	North America		International and Other		Total
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	792,190	$	20,154	$	812,344
Foreign currency translation	3,975		1,749		5,724
Balance at July 2, 2017	796,165		21,903		818,068

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



	July 2, 2017					December 31, 2016
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Trademarks	$	270,383	$	(30,953	)	$	317,023	$	(30,458	)
Customer-related	127,414		(30,729		)	200,409		(36,482		)
Patents	16,725		(14,822		)	16,426		(13,700		)
Total	414,522		(76,504		)	533,858		(80,640		)

Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Trademarks	40,253					39,519
Total other intangible assets	$	378,271				$	492,737

As discussed in Note 7, in February 2017, we commenced the Margin for Growth Program which includes an initiative to optimize the manufacturing operations supporting our China business. We deemed this to be a triggering event requiring us to test our China long-lived asset group for impairment by first determining whether the carrying value of the asset group was recovered by our current estimates of future cash flows associated with the asset group. Because this assessment indicated that the carrying value was not recoverable, we calculated an impairment loss as the excess of the asset group's carrying value over its fair value. The resulting impairment loss was allocated to the asset group's long-lived assets. Therefore, as a result of this testing, during the first quarter of 2017, we recorded an impairment charge totaling $105,992 representing the portion of the impairment loss that was allocated to the distributor relationship and trademark intangible assets that had been recognized in connection with the 2014 SGM acquisition.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

Total amortization expense for the three months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 was $5,407 and $5,964, respectively. Total amortization expense for the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 was $12,558 and $11,144, respectively.

4. SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Short-term Debt

As a source of short-term financing, we utilize cash on hand and commercial paper or bank loans with an original maturity of three months or less. We maintain a $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility, which currently expires in November 2020. This agreement also includes an option to increase borrowings by an additional $400 million with the consent of the lenders.

The credit agreement contains certain financial and other covenants, customary representations, warranties and events of default. As of July 2, 2017, we were in compliance with all covenants pertaining to the credit agreement, and we had no significant compensating balance agreements that legally restricted these funds. For more information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In addition to the revolving credit facility, we maintain lines of credit with domestic and international commercial banks. We had short-term foreign bank loans against these lines of credit for $142,521 at July 2, 2017 and $158,805 at December 31, 2016. Commitment fees relating to our revolving credit facility and lines of credit are not material.

At July 2, 2017, we had outstanding commercial paper totaling $479,444, at a weighted average interest rate of 1.1%. At December 31, 2016, we had outstanding commercial paper totaling $473,666, at a weighted average interest rate of 0.6%.

Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:



December 31,	July 2, 2017			December 31, 2016
1.60% Notes due 2018	300,000			300,000
4.125% Notes due 2020	350,000			350,000
8.8% Debentures due 2021	84,715			84,715
2.625% Notes due 2023	250,000			250,000
3.20% Notes due 2025	300,000			300,000
2.30% Notes due 2026	500,000			500,000
7.2% Debentures due 2027	193,639			193,639
3.375% Notes due 2046	300,000			300,000
Lease obligations	84,890			83,619
Net impact of interest rate swaps, debt issuance costs and unamortized debt discounts	(13,399		)	(14,275		)
Total long-term debt	2,349,845			2,347,698
Less—current portion	89			243
Long-term portion	$	2,349,756		$	2,347,455

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

Interest Expense

Net interest expense consisted of the following:



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016			July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Interest expense	$	25,299		$	22,997		$	50,253		$	46,522
Capitalized interest	(875		)	(1,386		)	(1,859		)	(3,561		)
Interest expense	24,424			21,611			48,394			42,961
Interest income	(298		)	(273		)	(527		)	(618		)
Interest expense, net	$	24,126		$	21,338		$	47,867		$	42,343

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 and options 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 exchanged-traded contracts with collateral posting requirements and/or by performing financial assessments prior to contract execution, conducting periodic evaluations of counterparty performance and maintaining a diverse portfolio of qualified counterparties. We do not expect any significant losses from counterparty defaults.

Commodity Price Risk

We enter into commodities futures and options contracts and other commodity derivative instruments to reduce the effect of future price fluctuations associated with the purchase of raw materials, energy requirements and transportation services. We generally hedge commodity price risks for 3- to 24-month periods. Our open commodity derivative contracts had a notional value of $423,345 as of July 2, 2017 and $739,374 as of December 31, 2016.

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 11, 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, and Brazilian real. We typically utilize foreign currency forward exchange contracts and options 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 $114,870 at July 2, 2017 and $68,263 at December 31, 2016. 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 $2,791 at July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The change in fair value on these instruments is recorded directly in cost of sales or selling, marketing and administrative expense, depending on the nature of the underlying exposure.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

Interest Rate Risk

We manage our targeted mix of fixed and floating rate debt with debt issuances and by entering into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps in order to mitigate fluctuations in earnings and cash flows that may result from interest rate volatility. These swaps are designated as fair value hedges, for which the gain or loss on the derivative and the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item are recognized in current earnings as interest expense (income), net. At July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had interest rate derivative instruments in fair value hedging relationships with a total notional amount of $350,000.

In order to manage interest rate exposure, in previous years we utilized interest rate swap agreements to protect against unfavorable interest rate changes relating to forecasted debt transactions. These swaps, which were settled upon issuance of the related debt, were designated as cash flow hedges and the gains and losses that were 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 July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $23,440 and $22,099, respectively.

The following table presents the classification of derivative assets and liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016:



December 31,	July 2, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Assets (1)		Liabilities (1)		Assets (1)		Liabilities (1)
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts	$	398	$	1,853	$	2,229	$	809

Derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments:
Interest rate swap agreements	1,941		—		1,768		—

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodities futures and options (2)	14,050		179		2,348		10,000
Deferred compensation derivatives	645		—		717		—
Foreign exchange contracts	3		—		—		16
	14,698		179		3,065		10,016
Total	$	17,037	$	2,032	$	7,062	$	10,825


(1)	Derivatives assets are classified on our balance sheet within prepaid expenses and other as well as other assets. Derivative liabilities are classified on our balance sheet within accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities.

(2)

As of July 2, 2017, assets and liabilities include the net of assets of $52,895 and liabilities of $41,337 associated with cash transfers receivable or payable on commodities futures contracts reflecting the change in quoted market prices on the last trading day for the period. The comparable amounts reflected on a net basis in liabilities at December 31, 2016 were assets of $140,885 and liabilities of $150,872. At July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the remaining amount reflected in assets and liabilities relates to the fair value of other non-exchange traded derivative instruments, respectively.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

Income Statement Impact of Derivative Instruments

The effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 was as follows:



	Non-designated Hedges						Cash Flow Hedges
	Non-designated Hedges						Cash Flow Hedges
	Gains (losses) recognized in income (a)						Losses recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) (effective portion)						Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) (b)

	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Commodities futures and options	$	(32,519	)	$	39,011		$	—		$	—		$	(399	)	$	6,139
Foreign exchange contracts	44			(253		)	(707		)	(3,916		)	390			(761		)
Interest rate swap agreements	—			—			—			(17,156		)	(2,370		)	(1,511		)
Deferred compensation derivatives	(632		)	418			—			—			—			—
Total	$	(33,107	)	$	39,176		$	(707	)	$	(21,072	)	$	(2,379	)	$	3,867


(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 were included in cost of sales for commodities futures and options contracts and for foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as hedges of purchases of inventory or other productive assets. Other gains (losses) 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 effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 was as follows:



	Non-designated Hedges						Cash Flow Hedges
	Non-designated Hedges						Cash Flow Hedges
	Gains (losses) recognized in income (a)						Losses recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) (effective portion)						Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) (b)

	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Commodities futures and options	$	(38,055	)	$	70		$	—		$	—		$	(837	)	$	15,869
Foreign exchange contracts	(51		)	(457		)	(2,206		)	(8,032		)	218			(1,022		)
Interest rate swap agreements	—			—			—			(46,949		)	(4,793		)	(3,071		)
Deferred compensation derivatives	645			821			—			—			—			—
Total	$	(37,461	)	$	434		$	(2,206	)	$	(54,981	)	$	(5,412	)	$	11,776


(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)

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

The amount of pretax net losses on derivative instruments, including interest rate swap agreements, foreign currency forward exchange contracts and options, commodities futures and options contracts, and other commodity derivative instruments expected to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings in the next 12 months was approximately $11,017 as of July 2, 2017. This amount is primarily associated with deferred losses relating to interest rate swap agreements.

Fair Value Hedges

For the three months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, we recognized a net pretax benefit to interest expense of $732 and $1,137 relating to our fixed-to-floating interest swap arrangements. For the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, we recognized a net pretax benefit to interest expense of $1,630 and $2,454 relating to our fixed-to-floating interest swap arrangements.

6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

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

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

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

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

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

The following table presents assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a recurring basis as of July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016:



	Assets (Liabilities)
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
July 2, 2017:
Derivative Instruments:
Assets:
Foreign exchange contracts (1)	$	—	$	401	$	—	$	401
Interest rate swap agreements (2)	—		1,941		—		1,941
Deferred compensation derivatives (3)	—		645		—		645
Commodities futures and options (4)	14,050		—		—		14,050
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts (1)	—		1,853		—		1,853
Commodities futures and options (4)	179		—		—		179
December 31, 2016:
Assets:
Foreign exchange contracts (1)	$	—	$	2,229	$	—	$	2,229
Interest rate swap agreements (2)	—		1,768		—		1,768
Deferred compensation derivatives (3)	—		717		—		717
Commodities futures and options (4)	2,348		—		—		2,348
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange contracts (1)	—		825		—		825
Commodities futures and options (4)	10,000		—		—		10,000

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

(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 interest rate swap agreements represents the difference in the present value of cash flows calculated at the contracted interest rates and at current market interest rates at the end of the period. We calculate the fair value of interest rate swap agreements quarterly based on the quoted market price for the same or similar financial instruments.


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


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

Other Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt approximated fair values as of July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 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
	July 2, 2017		December 31, 2016		July 2, 2017		December 31, 2016
Current portion of long-term debt	$	89	$	243	$	89	$	243
Long-term debt	2,410,521		2,379,054		2,349,756		2,347,455
Total	2,410,610		$	2,379,297	2,349,845		$	2,347,698

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. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges. During the first quarter of 2017, as discussed in Note 7, we recorded impairment charges totaling $105,992 to write-down distributor relationship and trademark intangible assets that had been recognized in connection with the 2014 SGM acquisition and wrote-down property, plant and equipment by $102,720. These charges were determined by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying value. The fair value of the assets were derived using a combination of an estimated market liquidation approach and discounted cash flow analyses based on Level 3 inputs.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

7. BUSINESS REALIGNMENT ACTIVITIES

We are currently pursuing several business realignment activities designed to increase our efficiency and focus our business behind our key growth strategies. Costs recorded during the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 related to these activities are as follows:



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016			July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Margin for Growth Program:
Severance	$	888	$	—		$	30,455		$	—
Accelerated depreciation	6,873		—			6,873			—
Other program costs	6,381		—			11,203			—
Operational Optimization Program:
Accelerated depreciation and amortization	—		33,965			—			33,478
Severance	—		9,928			13,828			17,355
Other program costs	312		3,376			(917		)	9,408
2015 Productivity Initiative:
Pension settlement charge	—		12,646			—			12,646
Severance	—		(469		)	—			(1,763		)
Other program costs	—		2,649			—			5,401
Total business realignment costs	$	14,454	$	62,095		$	61,442		$	76,525

The costs and related benefits to be derived from the Margin for Growth Program relate approximately 80% to the North America segment and 20% to the International and Other segment for the three months ended July 2, 2017. The costs and related benefits to be derived from the Margin for Growth Program relate approximately 40% to the North America segment and 60% to the International and Other segment for the six months ended July 2, 2017. The costs and related benefits to be derived from the Operational Optimization Program primarily relate to the North America segment in 2017 and to the International and Other segment in 2016. The costs and related benefits to be derived from the 2015 Productivity Initiative relate primarily to the North American segment. However, segment operating results do not include these business realignment expenses because we evaluate segment performance excluding such costs.

Margin for Growth Program

In February 2017, the Company's Board of Directors unanimously approved several initiatives under a single program designed to drive continued net sales, operating income and earnings per-share diluted growth over the next several years. This program will focus on improving global efficiency and effectiveness, optimizing the Company’s supply chain, streamlining the Company’s operating model and reducing administrative expenses to generate long-term savings.

The Company estimates that the “Margin for Growth” program will result in total pre-tax charges of $375,000 to $425,000 over the next three years. This estimate includes plant and office closure expenses of $100,000 to $115,000, net intangible asset impairment charges of $100,000 to $110,000, employee separation costs of $80,000 to $100,000, contract termination costs of approximately $25,000, and other business realignment costs of $70,000 to $75,000. The cash portion of the total charge is estimated to be $175,000 to $200,000. At the conclusion of the program in 2019, ongoing annual savings are expected to be approximately $150,000 to $175,000. The Company expects that implementation of the program will reduce its global workforce by approximately 15%, with a majority of the reductions coming from hourly headcount positions outside of the United States.

The program includes an initiative to optimize the manufacturing operations supporting our China business. We deemed this to be a triggering event requiring us to test our China long-lived asset group for impairment by first determining whether the carrying value of the asset group was recovered by our current estimates of future cash flows associated with the asset group. Because this assessment indicated that the carrying value was not recoverable, we calculated an impairment loss as the excess of the asset group's carrying value over its fair value. The resulting impairment loss was allocated to the asset group's long-lived assets. Therefore, as a result of this testing, during the

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

first quarter of 2017, we recorded impairment charges totaling $208,712, with $105,992 representing the portion of the impairment loss that was allocated to the distributor relationship and trademark intangible assets that had been recognized in connection with the 2014 SGM acquisition and $102,720 representing the portion of the impairment loss that was allocated to property, plant and equipment. These impairment charges are recorded within the long-lived asset impairment charges caption within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During the three and six months ended July 2, 2017, we recognized estimated employee severance totaling $888 and $30,455, respectively. These charges relate largely to our initiative to improve the cost structure of our China business, as well as our initiative to further streamline our corporate operating model. We also recognized non-cash, asset-related incremental depreciation expense totaling $6,873 for the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 as part of optimizing the North America supply chain. During the three and six months ended July 2, 2017, we also recognized other program costs totaling $6,381 and $11,203, respectively. These charges relate primarily to third-party charges for our initiative of improving global efficiency and effectiveness.

2016 Operational Optimization Program

In the second quarter of 2016, we commenced a program (the “Operational Optimization Program”) to optimize our production and supply chain network, which includes select facility consolidations. The program encompasses the continued transition of our China chocolate and SGM operations into a united Golden Hershey platform, including the integration of the China sales force, as well as workforce planning efforts and the consolidation of production within certain facilities in China and North America.

During the three months ended July 2, 2017, we recognized costs of $312. During the six months ended July 2, 2017, we recognized costs of $12,911 primarily related to employee severance associated with the workforce planning efforts within North America. We currently expect to incur additional cash costs of approximately $9,000 over the next two years to complete this program.

During the first quarter of 2017, we reclassified property, plant and equipment and land use rights with a total book value of $20,303 to prepaid and other current assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These represent select China facilities that were taken out of operation in connection with this program and are currently being marketed for sale.

2015 Productivity Initiative

In mid-2015, we initiated a productivity initiative (the “2015 Productivity Initiative”) intended to move decision making closer to the customer and the consumer, to enable a more enterprise-wide approach to innovation, to more swiftly advance our knowledge agenda, and to provide for a more efficient cost structure, while ensuring that we effectively allocate resources to future growth areas. Overall, the 2015 Productivity Initiative was undertaken to simplify the organizational structure to enhance the Company's ability to rapidly anticipate and respond to the changing demands of the global consumer.

The 2015 Productivity Initiative was executed throughout the third and fourth quarters of 2015, resulting in a net reduction of approximately 300 positions, with the majority of the departures taking place by the end of 2015. The 2015 Productivity Initiative was completed during the third quarter 2016. We incurred total costs of $125,031 relating to this program, including pension settlement charges of $12,646 recorded through the six months ended July 3, 2016 relating to lump sum withdrawals by employees retiring or leaving the Company as a result of this program.

Costs associated with business realignment activities are classified in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 as follows:



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016		July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016
Cost of sales	$	5,772	$	33,965	$	6,262	$	33,478
Selling, marketing and administrative expense	6,701		6,025		9,182		14,809
Business realignment costs	1,981		22,105		45,998		28,238
Costs associated with business realignment activities	$	14,454	$	62,095	$	61,442	$	76,525

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

The following table presents the liability activity for employee-related costs qualifying as exit and disposal costs:



	Total
Liability balance at December 31, 2016	$	3,725
2017 business realignment charges (1)	53,591
Cash payments	(13,394		)
Other, net	(171		)
Liability balance at July 2, 2017 (reported within accrued and other long-term liabilities)	$	43,751


(1)	The costs reflected in the liability roll-forward above do not include items charged directly to expense, such as accelerated depreciation and amortization and certain of the third-party charges associated with various programs, as those items are not reflected in the business realignment liability in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

8. INCOME TAXES

The majority of our taxable income is generated in the U.S. and taxed at the U.S. statutory rate of 35%. The effective tax rates for the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 were 33.0% and 34.4%, respectively. Relative to the statutory rate, the 2017 effective tax rate was impacted by favorable foreign rate differential relating to our cocoa procurement operations, investment tax credits and the benefit of ASU 2016-09, which were partially offset by non-benefited costs resulting from the Margin for Growth Program. The 2016 effective rate benefited from investment tax credits and from the impact of non-taxable income related to the settlement of the SGM liability.

Hershey and its subsidiaries file tax returns in the U.S., including various state and local returns, and in foreign jurisdictions. We believe adequate provision has been made for all income tax uncertainties. We are routinely audited by taxing authorities in our filing jurisdictions, and a number of these audits are currently underway. We reasonably expect reductions in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $3,910 within the next 12 months because of the expiration of statutes of limitations and settlements of tax audits.

9. PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the second quarter were as follows:



	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016			July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016
Service cost	$	5,051		$	5,699		$	66	$	75
Interest cost	10,200			10,999			2,204		2,429
Expected return on plan assets	(14,344		)	(14,832		)	—		—
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost	(1,455		)	(261		)	186		144
Amortization of net loss	8,360			8,801			—		6
Settlement loss	—			16,938			—		—
Total net periodic benefit cost	$	7,812		$	27,344		$	2,456	$	2,654

We made contributions of $293 and $7,580 to the pension plans and other benefits plans, respectively, during the second quarter of 2017. In the second quarter of 2016, we made contributions of $661 and $7,044 to our pension plans and other benefits plans, respectively. The contributions in 2017 and 2016 also included benefit payments from our non-qualified pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the year-to-date periods were as follows:



	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	Six Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016			July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016
Service cost	$	10,225		$	11,583		$	131	$	149
Interest cost	20,499			21,834			4,412		4,865
Expected return on plan assets	(28,698		)	(29,373		)	—		—
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost	(2,911		)	(523		)	373		288
Amortization of net loss (gain)	16,782			17,608			—		(6		)
Settlement loss	—			16,938			—		—
Total net periodic benefit cost	$	15,897		$	38,067		$	4,916	$	5,296

We made contributions of $4,985 and $14,464 to the pension plans and other benefits plans, respectively, during the first six months of 2017. In the first six months of 2016, we made contributions of $1,836 and $14,708 to our pension plans and other benefits plans, respectively. The contributions in 2017 and 2016 also included benefit payments from our non-qualified pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans.

For 2017, there are no significant minimum funding requirements for our domestic pension plans and planned voluntary funding of our non-domestic pension plans in 2017 is not material.

10. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

We have various stock-based compensation programs under which awards, including stock options, performance stock units (“PSUs”) and performance stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and restricted stock may be granted to employees, non-employee directors and certain service providers upon whom the successful conduct of our business is dependent. These programs and the accounting treatment related thereto are described in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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				Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016		July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016
Pre-tax compensation expense	$	12,435	$	14,530	$	24,557	$	26,208
Related income tax benefit	3,230		4,693		7,048		8,780

Compensation costs for stock compensation plans are primarily included in selling, marketing and administrative expense. As of July 2, 2017, total stock-based compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized was $84,616 and the weighted-average period over which this amount is expected to be recognized was approximately 2.3 years.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

Stock Options

A summary of activity relating to grants of stock options for the period ended July 2, 2017 is as follows:



Stock Options	Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price (per share)		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016	6,192,008		$	82.67	6.2 years
Granted	1,086,175		$	108.05
Exercised	(908,712	)	$	70.13
Forfeited	(186,032	)	$	103.43
Outstanding as of July 2, 2017	6,183,439		$	88.35	6.2 years	$	150,493
Options exercisable as of July 2, 2017	3,870,198		$	80.60	4.7 years	$	124,202

The weighted-average fair value of options granted was $15.77 and $11.42 per share for the periods ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, respectively. The fair value was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the following weighted-average assumptions:



	Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016
Dividend yields	2.4	%	2.4	%
Expected volatility	17.2	%	16.8	%
Risk-free interest rates	2.2	%	1.5	%
Expected term in years	6.8		6.8

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $36,507 and $49,091 for the periods ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, respectively.

Performance Stock Units and Restricted Stock Units

A summary of activity relating to grants of PSUs and RSUs for the period ended July 2, 2017 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 as of December 31, 2016	828,228		$102.66
Granted	418,369		$111.06
Performance assumption change	19,671		$99.42
Vested	(205,327	)	$113.05
Forfeited	(109,328	)	$108.44
Outstanding as of July 2, 2017	951,613		$102.89

The table above includes 6,410 units of PSUs awarded to participants in a prior period for which the measurement (grant) date occurred for accounting purposes in 2017.

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.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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



	Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Units granted	418,369			514,089
Weighted-average fair value at date of grant	$	111.06		$	92.95
Monte Carlo simulation assumptions:
Estimated values	$	46.85		$	38.02
Dividend yields	2.3		%	2.5		%
Expected volatility	20.4		%	17.0		%

The fair value of shares vested totaled $22,206 and $18,079 for the periods ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, respectively.

Deferred PSUs, deferred RSUs and deferred stock units representing directors’ fees totaled 468,845 units as of July 2, 2017. Each unit is equivalent to one share of the Company’s Common Stock.

11. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Our organizational structure is designed to ensure continued focus on North America, coupled with an emphasis on profitable growth in our focus international markets. Our business is organized around geographic regions, which enables us to build processes for repeatable success in our global markets. As a result, we have defined our operating segments on a geographic basis, as this aligns with how our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) manages our business, including resource allocation and performance assessment. Our North America business, which generates approximately 89% of our consolidated revenue, is our only reportable segment. None of our other operating segments meet the quantitative thresholds to qualify as reportable segments; therefore, these operating segments are combined and disclosed below as International and Other.


•	North America - This segment is responsible for our traditional chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery market position, as well as our grocery and growing snacks market positions, in the United States and Canada. This includes developing and growing our business in chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery, pantry, food service and other snacking product lines.

•

International and Other - International and Other 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 China, 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. This segment also includes our global retail operations, including Hershey's Chocolate World stores in Hershey, Pennsylvania, New York City, Las Vegas, Shanghai, Niagara Falls (Ontario), Dubai, 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.

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 integration costs, the non-service related portion of pension expense and other unusual gains or losses that are not part of our measurement of segment performance. These components 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 the measure of segment performance used for incentive compensation purposes.

Accounting policies associated with our operating segments are generally the same as those described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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 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

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

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.

Our segment net sales and earnings were as follows:



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016			July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Net sales:
North America	$	1,477,014	$	1,444,841		$	3,154,160		$	3,078,312
International and Other	185,977		192,830			388,509			388,171
Total	$	1,662,991	$	1,637,671		$	3,542,669		$	3,466,483

Segment income (loss):
North America	$	460,382	$	425,723		$	1,013,520		$	955,113
International and Other	8,368		(3,462		)	10,091			(16,695		)
Total segment income	468,750		422,261			1,023,611			938,418
Unallocated corporate expense (1)	123,173		126,623			242,823			248,794
Unallocated mark-to-market losses (gains) on commodity derivatives	11,556		(39,886		)	(5,532		)	(4,940		)
Long-lived asset impairment charges	—		—			208,712			—
Costs associated with business realignment activities	14,454		62,095			61,442			76,525
Non-service related pension expense	4,215		9,205			8,583			14,306
Acquisition and integration costs	11		1,462			311			1,462
Operating profit	315,341		262,762			507,272			602,271
Interest expense, net	24,126		21,338			47,867			42,343
Other (income) expense, net	10,098		8,128			9,927			(13,097		)
Income before income taxes	$	281,117	$	233,296		$	449,478		$	573,025

(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, and (d) other gains or losses that are not integral to segment performance.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

Activity within the unallocated mark-to-market (gains) losses on commodity derivatives is as follows:



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016			July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Net losses (gains) on mark-to-market valuation of commodity derivative positions	$	32,519	$	(39,011	)	$	38,055		$	(70	)
Net losses on commodity derivative positions allocated to segment income	20,963		875			43,587			4,870
Net losses (gains) on mark-to-market valuation of commodity derivative positions remaining in unallocated derivative losses (gains)	$	11,556	$	(39,886	)	$	(5,532	)	$	(4,940	)

As of July 2, 2017, the cumulative amount of mark-to-market losses on commodity derivatives that have been recognized in our consolidated cost of sales and not yet allocated to reportable segments was $157,492. 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 $91,119 to segment operating results in the next twelve months.

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



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016		July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016
North America	$	41,751	$	39,844	$	82,988	$	78,786
International and Other	9,747		13,085		22,713		24,008
Corporate (1)	15,629		43,937		26,378		53,985
Total	$	67,127	$	96,866	$	132,079	$	156,779


(1)	Corporate includes non-cash asset-related accelerated depreciation and amortization related to business realignment activities, as discussed in Note 7. Such amounts are not included within our measure of segment income.

12. TREASURY STOCK ACTIVITY

A summary of our treasury stock activity is as follows:



	Six Months Ended July 2, 2017
	Shares		Dollars
			In thousands
Shares repurchased in the open market under pre-approved share repurchase programs	—		$	—
Shares repurchased to replace Treasury Stock issued for stock options and incentive compensation	886,675		99,992
Total share repurchases	886,675		99,992
Shares issued for stock options and incentive compensation	(1,041,596	)	$	(43,338	)
Net change	(154,921	)	$	56,654

In January 2016, our Board of Directors approved a $500,000 authorization to repurchase shares of our Common Stock. As of July 2, 2017, $100,000 remained available for repurchases of our Common Stock under this program. 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.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

13. NONCONTROLLING INTEREST

We currently own a 50% controlling interest in Lotte Shanghai Foods Co., Ltd. (“LSFC”), a joint venture established in 2007 in China for the purpose of manufacturing and selling product to the venture partners.

A roll-forward showing the 2017 activity relating to the noncontrolling interest follows:



	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	41,831
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(27,570		)
Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustments	416
Balance, July 2, 2017	$	14,677

The 2017 net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest reflects the 50% allocation of LSFC-related business realignment and impairment costs (see Note 7). For the six months ended July 3, 2016, the net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests totaled $1,465, which was presented within selling, marketing and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income since the amount was not considered significant.

14. CONTINGENCIES

We are subject to various pending or threatened legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. 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.

15. 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. With respect to dividend rights, the Common Stock holders are entitled to cash dividends 10% higher than those declared and paid on the Class B common stock. 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.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

We compute basic and diluted earnings per share based on the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock and Class B common stock outstanding as follows:



	Three Months Ended
	July 2, 2017					July 3, 2016
	Common Stock		Class B Common Stock			Common Stock		Class B Common Stock
Basic earnings per share:
Numerator:
Allocation of distributed earnings (cash dividends paid)	$	94,043	$	34,068		$	88,615	$	32,129
Allocation of undistributed earnings	55,370		20,020			18,528		6,684
Total earnings—basic	$	149,413	$	54,088		$	107,143	$	38,813

Denominator (shares in thousands):
Total weighted-average shares—basic	152,466		60,620			152,774		60,620

Earnings Per Share—basic	$	0.98	$	0.89		$	0.70	$	0.64

Diluted earnings per share:
Numerator:
Allocation of total earnings used in basic computation	$	149,413	$	54,088		$	107,143	$	38,813
Reallocation of total earnings as a result of conversion of Class B common stock to Common stock	54,088		—			38,813		—
Reallocation of undistributed earnings	—		(149		)	—		(36		)
Total earnings—diluted	$	203,501	$	53,939		$	145,956	$	38,777

Denominator (shares in thousands):
Number of shares used in basic computation	152,466		60,620			152,774		60,620
Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities:
Conversion of Class B common stock to Common shares outstanding	60,620		—			60,620		—
Employee stock options	1,229		—			973		—
Performance and restricted stock options	325		—			137		—
Total weighted-average shares—diluted	214,640		60,620			214,504		60,620

Earnings Per Share—diluted	$	0.95	$	0.89		$	0.68	$	0.64

The earnings per share calculations for the three months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 excluded 1,808 and 3,601, respectively, of stock options (in thousands) that would have been antidilutive.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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



	Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017					July 3, 2016
	Common Stock		Class B Common Stock			Common Stock		Class B Common Stock
Basic earnings per share:
Numerator:
Allocation of distributed earnings (cash dividends paid)	$	187,992	$	68,136		$	178,882	$	64,257
Allocation of undistributed earnings	53,180		19,237			97,737		34,912
Total earnings—basic	$	241,172	$	87,373		$	276,619	$	99,169

Denominator (shares in thousands):
Total weighted-average shares—basic	152,393		60,620			154,283		60,620

Earnings Per Share—basic	$	1.58	$	1.44		$	1.79	$	1.64

Diluted earnings per share:
Numerator:
Allocation of total earnings used in basic computation	$	241,172	$	87,373		$	276,619	$	99,169
Reallocation of total earnings as a result of conversion of Class B common stock to Common stock	87,373		—			99,169		—
Reallocation of undistributed earnings	—		(145		)	—		(191		)
Total earnings—diluted	$	328,545	$	87,228		$	375,788	$	98,978

Denominator (shares in thousands):
Number of shares used in basic computation	152,393		60,620			154,283		60,620
Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities:
Conversion of Class B common stock to Common shares outstanding	60,620		—			60,620		—
Employee stock options	1,248		—			989		—
Performance and restricted stock options	324		—			162		—
Total weighted-average shares—diluted	214,585		60,620			216,054		60,620

Earnings Per Share—diluted	$	1.53	$	1.44		$	1.74	$	1.63

The earnings per share calculations for the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 excluded 2,067 and 3,680, respectively, of stock options (in thousands) that would have been antidilutive.

16. 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						Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016			July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Write-down of equity investments in partnerships qualifying for tax credits	$	10,263		$	9,468		$	10,263		$	15,061
Settlement of SGM liability (see Note 2)	—			—			—			(26,650		)
Other (income) expense, net	(165		)	(1,340		)	(336		)	(1,508		)
Total	$	10,098		$	8,128		$	9,927		$	(13,097	)

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

17. SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

The components of certain Consolidated Balance Sheet accounts are as follows:



	July 2, 2017			December 31, 2016
Inventories:
Raw materials	$	303,553		$	315,239
Goods in process	123,386			88,490
Finished goods	691,334			528,587
Inventories at FIFO	1,118,273			932,316
Adjustment to LIFO	(181,836		)	(186,638		)
Total inventories	$	936,437		$	745,678

Property, plant and equipment:
Land	$	106,662		$	103,865
Buildings	1,191,483			1,238,634
Machinery and equipment	2,871,889			3,001,552
Construction in progress	200,411			230,987
Property, plant and equipment, gross	4,370,445			4,575,038
Accumulated depreciation	(2,336,655		)	(2,397,790		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	2,033,790		$	2,177,248

Other assets:
Capitalized software, net	$	100,867		$	95,301
Income tax receivable	—			1,449
Other non-current assets	82,113			71,615
Total other assets	$	182,980		$	168,365

Accrued liabilities:
Payroll, compensation and benefits	$	194,368		$	240,080
Advertising and promotion	280,645			358,573
Other	166,730			152,333
Total accrued liabilities	$	641,743		$	750,986

Other long-term liabilities:
Post-retirement benefits liabilities	$	215,802		$	220,270
Pension benefits liabilities	61,748			65,687
Other	119,654			114,204
Total other long-term liabilities	$	397,204		$	400,161

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(92,756	)	$	(110,613	)
Pension and post-retirement benefit plans, net of tax	(206,742		)	(207,169		)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	(56,466		)	(58,106		)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(355,964	)	$	(375,888	)

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. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. 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 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information concerning the key risks to achieving future performance goals.

The MD&A is organized in the following sections:


•	Overview and Outlook


•	Non-GAAP Information


•	Consolidated Results of Operations


•	Segment Results


•	Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Overview and Outlook presented below is an executive-level summary highlighting the key trends and measures on which the Company’s management focuses in evaluating its financial condition and operating performance. Certain earnings and performance measures within the Overview and Outlook include financial information determined on a non-GAAP basis, which aligns with how management internally evaluates the Company's results of operations, determines incentive compensation, and assesses the impact of known trends and uncertainties on the business. A detailed reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures referenced herein to their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures follows this summary. For a detailed analysis of the Company's operations prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), referred to as "reported" herein, refer to the discussion and analysis in the Consolidated Results of Operations.

OVERVIEW AND OUTLOOK

Our second quarter 2017 net sales totaled $1,663.0 million, an increase of 1.5%, versus $1,637.7 million for the comparable period of 2016. Excluding a 0.3% impact from unfavorable foreign exchange rates, our net sales increased 1.8%. Net sales growth was driven by the North America segment, which benefited from innovation and the barkTHINS brand acquisition. Additionally, net sales growth benefited from the timing of new stand-up packaging as well as distributor changes by several retailers resulting in increased retail inventory.

Our reported gross margin was 45.9% in the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 30 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2016. Our non-GAAP gross margin increased 160 basis points in the second quarter of 2017, primarily due to lower commodity input costs, supply chain productivity and cost savings initiatives.

Our second quarter 2017 reported net income and earnings per share-diluted (EPS) totaled $203.5 million and $0.95, respectively, compared to the second quarter 2016 reported net income and EPS-diluted of $146.0 million and $0.68, respectively. From a non-GAAP perspective, second quarter 2017 adjusted net income was $233.1 million, an increase of 27.7% versus $182.6 million in 2016, primarily driven by the improvement in our non-GAAP gross margin, as well as a lower non-GAAP effective tax rate, due mainly to a favorable foreign tax rate differential, discrete items and the benefit from the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09 for the accounting of employee share-based payments. Our adjusted EPS-diluted for the second quarter of 2017 was $1.09 compared to $0.85 for the same period of 2016, with this 28.2% increase attributable to the same factors driving the increase in non-GAAP net income.

Over the remainder of the year, we expect to continue the rollout of Hershey’s Cookie Layer Crunch bars, Reese’s and Hershey’s Crunchers candies and Reese’s Crunchy Cookie Cups. Additionally, we have solid Halloween and Holiday plans, and advertising and related consumer marketing expense is expected to be meaningfully higher over the remainder of the year. Despite the inconsistent shopping patterns and behavior that have resulted in a recent slowdown in retail trips, we believe CMG and snacks have inherent advantages such as impulsivity, seasons, and multiple pack

types, or usage occasions. This facilitates merchandising and display within different parts of the box where there is foot traffic, like the perimeter and at checkout.

However, we expect that the broader industry challenges at the retail level will persist over the remainder of the year. Therefore, we currently estimate that full-year 2017 net sales growth will be approximately 1%. The impact of foreign currency exchange rates is expected to be minimal. We currently expect full-year 2017 reported EPS-diluted to be in the $3.41 to $3.60 range. From a non-GAAP perspective, we expect 2017 adjusted EPS-diluted to be towards the high end of our outlook of $4.72 to $4.81, an increase of 7% to 9%, primarily due to gross margin expansion from lower input costs, and strong productivity and cost savings initiatives, as well as a lower effective tax rate driven by a favorable foreign rate differential and benefit from tax credits. A reconciliation of reported to adjusted projections for 2017 are reflected in the non-GAAP reconciliations that follow.

NON-GAAP INFORMATION

The comparability of certain of our financial measures is impacted by unallocated mark-to-market (gains) losses on commodity derivatives, costs associated with business realignment activities, costs relating to the integration of acquisitions, non-service related components of our pension expense ("NSRPE"), impairment of long-lived assets, and settlement of the SGM liability in conjunction with the purchase of the remaining 20% of the outstanding shares of SGM.

To provide additional information to investors to facilitate the comparison of past and present performance, we use non-GAAP financial measures within MD&A that exclude the financial impact of these activities. These non-GAAP financial measures are used internally by management in evaluating results of operations and determining incentive compensation, and in assessing the impact of known trends and uncertainties on our business, but they are not intended to replace the presentation of financial results in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures referenced in MD&A to their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income is provided below.



Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Consolidated results	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
In thousands except per share data	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016			July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Reported gross profit	$	763,210		$	747,398		$	1,669,770		$	1,564,774
Derivative mark-to-market losses (gains)	11,556			(39,886		)	(5,532		)	(4,940		)
Business realignment activities	5,772			33,965			6,262			33,478
NSRPE	2,705			3,271			5,565			6,512
Non-GAAP gross profit	$	783,243		$	744,748		$	1,676,065		$	1,599,824

Reported operating profit	$	315,341		$	262,762		$	507,272		$	602,271
Derivative mark-to-market losses (gains)	11,556			(39,886		)	(5,532		)	(4,940		)
Business realignment activities	14,454			62,095			61,442			76,525
Acquisition integration costs	11			1,462			311			1,462
NSRPE	4,215			9,205			8,583			14,306
Long-lived asset impairment charges	—			—			208,712			—
Non-GAAP operating profit	$	345,577		$	295,638		$	780,788		$	689,624

Reported provision for income taxes	$	78,390		$	87,340		$	148,503		$	197,237
Derivative mark-to-market losses (gains)*	(847		)	(15,117		)	352			(1,872		)
Business realignment activities*	5,783			7,295			17,200			10,833
Acquisition integration costs*	4			554			118			554
NSRPE*	1,605			3,515			3,269			5,468
Long-lived asset impairment charges**	(7,227		)	—			37,974			—
Non-GAAP provision for income taxes	$	77,708		$	83,587		$	207,416		$	212,220

Reported net income	$	203,501		$	145,956		$	328,545		$	375,788
Derivative mark-to-market losses (gains)	12,403			(24,769		)	(5,884		)	(3,068		)
Business realignment activities	8,671			54,827			44,242			65,687
Acquisition integration costs	7			908			193			908
NSRPE	2,610			5,690			5,314			8,838
Long-lived asset impairment charges	7,227			—			170,738			—
Noncontrolling interest share of business realignment and impairment charges	(1,296		)	—			(27,962		)	—
Settlement of SGM liability	—			—			—			(26,650		)
Non-GAAP net income	$	233,123		$	182,612		$	515,186		$	421,503

Reported EPS - Diluted	$	0.95		$	0.68		$	1.53		$	1.74
Derivative mark-to-market losses (gains)	0.06			(0.11		)	(0.03		)	(0.01		)
Business realignment activities	0.04			0.25			0.21			0.30
NSRPE	0.01			0.03			0.02			0.04
Long-lived asset impairment charges	0.04			—			0.80			—
Noncontrolling interest share of business realignment and impairment charges	(0.01		)	—			(0.13		)	—
Settlement of SGM liability	—			—			—			(0.12		)
Non-GAAP EPS - Diluted	$	1.09		$	0.85		$	2.40		$	1.95

* The tax effect for each adjustment is determined by calculating the tax impact of the adjustment on the Company's quarterly effective tax rate.

** There were no pre-tax impairment charges associated with long-lived assets during the three months ended July 2, 2017. However, the long-lived asset impairment charge in the first quarter of 2017 was not treated as a discrete tax item. Therefore, the tax impact was included in the estimated annual effective tax rate resulting in an EPS-diluted impact for each of the quarters throughout 2017.

In the assessment of our results, we review and discuss the following financial metrics that are derived from the reported and non-GAAP financial measures presented above:



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016		July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016
As reported gross margin	45.9	%	45.6	%	47.1	%	45.1	%
Non-GAAP gross margin (1)	47.1	%	45.5	%	47.3	%	46.2	%

As reported operating profit margin	19.0	%	16.0	%	14.3	%	17.4	%
Non-GAAP operating profit margin (2)	20.8	%	18.1	%	22.0	%	19.9	%

As reported effective tax rate	27.9	%	37.4	%	33.0	%	34.4	%
Non-GAAP effective tax rate (3)	25.0	%	31.4	%	28.7	%	33.5	%


(1)	Calculated as non-GAAP gross profit as a percentage of net sales for each period presented.


(2)	Calculated as non-GAAP operating profit as a percentage of net sales for each period presented.


(3)	Calculated as non-GAAP provision for income taxes as a percentage of non-GAAP income before taxes (calculated as non-GAAP operating profit minus non-GAAP interest expense, net plus or minus non-GAAP other (income) expense, net).

Details of the activities impacting comparability that are presented as reconciling items to derive the non-GAAP financial measures in the tables above are as follows:

Mark-to-market losses (gains) on commodity derivatives

Commensurate with our discontinuance of hedge accounting treatment for commodity derivatives, we are adjusting the mark-to-market losses (gains) on such commodity derivatives, until such time as the related inventory is sold. Since we often purchase commodity contracts to price inventory requirements in future years, we make this adjustment to facilitate the year-over-year comparison of cost of sales on a basis that matches the derivative gains and losses with the underlying economic exposure being hedged for the period. For the three months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, unallocated mark-to-market adjustment on commodity derivatives totaled pre-tax losses of $11.6 million and gains of $39.9 million, respectively. For the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, unallocated mark-to-market adjustment on commodity derivatives totaled pre-tax gains of $5.5 million and $4.9 million, respectively.

Business realignment activities

We periodically undertake restructuring and cost reduction activities as part of ongoing efforts to enhance long-term profitability. For the three months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, we incurred $14.5 million and $62.1 million, respectively, of pre-tax costs related to business realignment activities. For the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, we incurred $61.4 million and $76.5 million, respectively, of pre-tax costs related to business realignment activities. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Acquisition integration costs

Costs incurred during the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and 2016 relate to the integration of the 2016 acquisition of Ripple Brand Collective, LLC as we incorporate this business into our operating practices and information systems.

Non-service related pension expense

NSRPE includes interest costs, the expected return on pension plan assets, the amortization of actuarial gains and losses, and certain curtailment and settlement losses or credits. NSRPE can fluctuate from year to year as a result of changes in market interest rates and market returns on pension plan assets. We believe that the service cost component of our total pension benefit costs closely reflects the operating costs of our business and provides for a better comparison of our operating results from year to year. Therefore, we exclude NSRPE from our internal performance measures. Our most significant defined benefit pension plans have been closed to new participants for a number of years, resulting in ongoing service costs that are stable and predictable. We recorded pre-tax NSRPE of $4.2 million and $9.2 million, respectively, for the three months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, respectively. We recorded pre-tax NSRPE of $8.6 million and $14.3 million, respectively, for the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, respectively.

Long-lived asset impairment charges

For the six months ended July 2, 2017, we incurred $208.7 million of pre-tax long-lived asset impairment charges related to certain business realignment activities. This includes a write-down of certain intangible assets that had been recognized in connection with the 2014 SGM acquisition and write-down of property, plant and equipment. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Noncontrolling interest share of business realignment and impairment charges

Certain of the business realignment and impairment charges recorded in connection with the Margin for Growth Program related to Lotte Shanghai Foods Co., Ltd., a joint venture in which we own a 50% controlling interest. Therefore, we have also adjusted for the portion of these charges included within the loss attributed to the non-controlling interest.

Settlement of SGM liability

In the fourth quarter of 2015, we reached an agreement with the SGM selling shareholders to reduce the originally-agreed purchase price for the remaining 20% of SGM, and we completed the purchase on February 3, 2016. In the first quarter of 2016, we recorded a $26.7 million gain relating to the settlement of the SGM liability, representing the net carrying amount of the recorded liability in excess of the cash paid to settle the obligation for the remaining 20% of the outstanding shares.

Constant Currency Net Sales Growth

We present certain percentage changes in net sales on a constant currency basis, which excludes the impact of foreign currency exchange. This measure is used internally by management in evaluating results of operations and determining incentive compensation. We believe that this measure provides useful information to investors because it provides transparency to underlying performance in our net sales by excluding the effect that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations have on the year-to-year comparability given volatility in foreign currency exchange markets.

To present this information for historical periods, current period net sales for entities reporting in other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the average monthly exchange rates in effect during the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, rather than at the actual average monthly exchange rates in effect during the current period of the current fiscal year. As a result, the foreign currency impact is equal to the current year results in local currencies multiplied by the change in average foreign currency exchange rate between the current fiscal period and the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.

A reconciliation between reported and constant currency growth rates is provided below:



	Three Months Ended July 2, 2017
	Percentage Change as Reported		Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange		Percentage Change on Constant Currency Basis
North America segment
Canada	6.8	%	(5.6	)%	12.4	%
Total North America segment	2.2	%	(0.3	)%	2.5	%

International and Other segment
Mexico	13.9	%	(3.0	)%	16.9	%
Brazil	12.4	%	9.6	%	2.8	%
India	5.4	%	3.7	%	1.7	%
Greater China	(31.2	)%	(2.4	)%	(28.8	)%
Total International and Other segment	(3.6	)%	(0.1	)%	(3.5	)%

Total Company	1.5	%	(0.3	)%	1.8	%



	Six Months Ended July 2, 2017
	Percentage Change as Reported		Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange		Percentage Change on Constant Currency Basis
North America segment
Canada	6.1	%	(1.0	)%	7.1	%
Total North America segment	2.5	%	—	%	2.5	%

International and Other segment
Mexico	6.3	%	(8.5	)%	14.8	%
Brazil	31.3	%	20.4	%	10.9	%
India	11.0	%	2.3	%	8.7	%
Greater China	(14.4	)%	(2.8	)%	(11.6	)%
Total International and Other segment	0.1	%	(0.3	)%	0.4	%

Total Company	2.2	%	(0.1	)%	2.3	%

2017 Outlook

The following table provides a reconciliation of projected 2017 EPS-diluted, prepared in accordance with GAAP, to projected non-GAAP EPS-diluted for 2017, prepared on a non-GAAP basis, with adjustments consistent to those discussed previously. The reconciliation of 2016 EPS-diluted, prepared in accordance with GAAP, to 2016 non-GAAP EPS-diluted is provided below for comparison.



	2017 (Projected)	2016
Reported EPS – Diluted	$3.41 - $3.60	$3.34
Derivative mark-to-market losses	—	0.66
Business realignment costs (including Margin for Growth Program costs)	0.30 - 0.40	0.42
Acquisition and integration costs	—	0.02
Non-service related pension expense	0.06	0.08
Settlement of SGM liability	—	(0.12)
Long-lived asset impairment charges	0.85	0.01
Adjusted EPS – Diluted	$4.72 - $4.81	$4.41

Our 2017 projected EPS-diluted, as presented above, does not include the impact of mark-to-market gains and losses on our commodity derivative contracts that will be reflected within corporate unallocated expenses in our segment results until the related inventory is sold, since we are not able to forecast the impact of the market changes.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS



	Three Months Ended						Percent		Six Months Ended						Percent
	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016			Change		July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016			Change
In millions of dollars except per share amounts
Net Sales	$	1,663.0		$	1,637.7		1.5	%	$	3,542.7		$	3,466.5		2.2	%
Cost of Sales	899.8			890.3			1.1	%	1,872.9			1,901.7			(1.5	)%
Gross Profit	763.2			747.4			2.1	%	1,669.8			1,564.8			6.7	%
Gross Margin	45.9		%	45.6		%			47.1		%	45.1		%
SM&A Expense	445.9			462.5			(3.6	)%	907.8			934.3			(2.8	)%
SM&A Expense as a percent of net sales	26.8		%	28.2		%			25.6		%	27.0		%
Long-lived Asset Impairment Charges	—			—			NM		208.7			—			NM
Business Realignment Costs	2.0			22.1			(91.0	)%	46.0			28.2			62.9	%
Operating Profit	315.3			262.8			20.0	%	507.3			602.3			(15.8	)%
Operating Profit Margin	19.0		%	16.0		%			14.3		%	17.4		%
Interest Expense, Net	24.1			21.3			13.1	%	47.9			42.3			13.0	%
Other (Income) Expense, Net	10.1			8.2			24.2	%	9.9			(13.0		)	NM
Provision for Income Taxes	78.4			87.3			(10.2	)%	148.5			197.2			(24.7	)%
Effective Income Tax Rate	27.9		%	37.4		%			33.0		%	34.4		%
Net Income Including Noncontrolling Interest	202.7			146.0			38.9	%	301.0			375.8			(19.9	)%
Less: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(0.8		)	—			NM		(27.5		)	—			NM
Net Income Attributable to The Hershey Company	$	203.5		$	146.0		39.4	%	$	328.5		$	375.8		(12.6	)%
Net Income Per Share—Diluted	$	0.95		$	0.68		39.7	%	$	1.53		$	1.74		(12.1	)%

Note: Percentage changes may not compute directly as shown due to rounding of amounts presented above.
NM = not meaningful.

Results of Operations - Second Quarter 2017 vs. Second Quarter 2016

Net Sales

Net sales increased 1.5% in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, reflecting volume increases of 1.2%, favorable price realization of 0.1% and a 0.5% benefit from acquisitions, partially offset by an unfavorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates of 0.3%. Excluding foreign currency, our net sales increased 1.8% in the second quarter of 2017. Consolidated volumes increased as a result of higher sales volume in the United States, which benefited from innovation and the barkTHINS brand acquisition. Additionally, net sales growth benefited from the timing of new stand-up packaging as well as distributor changes by several retailers resulting in increased retail inventory. These volume increases were partially offset by volume declines in our International and Other segment primarily due to macroeconomic challenges in China. Favorable net price realization was attributed to lower levels of trade promotional spending in the North America segment versus the prior year.

Key U.S. CMG Marketplace Metrics



For the 12 week period ended	July 8, 2017		July 9, 2016
Hershey's Consumer Takeaway Increase (Decrease)	5.2	%	(1.1	)%
Hershey's Market Share Increase (Decrease)	0.2		(0.7	)

The consumer takeaway and market share information provided for the twelve week period above are for 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 Nielsen and provide a means to assess our retail takeaway and market position relative to the overall category. In 2017, takeaway improved relative to the prior year mainly driven by our core brands at Easter. The amounts presented above are solely for the U.S. CMG category which does not include revenue from our snack mixes and grocery items.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

Cost of sales increased 1.1% in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. The increase was driven by higher sales volume and an incremental $51 million unfavorable impact from marking-to-market our commodity derivative instruments intended to economically hedge future years' commodity purchases, offset in part by supply chain productivity and costs savings initiatives as well as a $28.2 million decrease in business realignment costs.

Gross margin increased by 30 basis points in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. Lower business realignment costs and supply chain productivity contributed to the improvement in gross margin. However, higher commodity costs, driven by the unfavorable mark-to-market impact from commodity derivative instruments, and higher supply chain costs partially offset the increase in gross margin.

Selling, Marketing and Administrative

Selling, marketing and administrative (“SM&A”) expenses decreased $16.6 million or 3.6% in the second quarter of 2017. Advertising and related consumer marketing expense decreased 0.2% during this period. Excluding these advertising and related consumer marketing costs, selling and administrative expenses for 2017 decreased by 5.2% as compared to 2016. SM&A benefited from lower business realignment costs as well as costs savings and efficiency initiatives, partially offset by higher investments in go-to-market capabilities.

Business Realignment Activities

In the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, we recorded business realignment costs of $2.0 million and $22.1 million, respectively. The 2017 costs related primarily to severance and other program costs associated with the Margin for Growth Program that commenced in the first quarter of 2017. The 2016 costs related primarily to the Operational Optimization Program, as described in Note 7 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Operating Profit and Operating Profit Margin

Operating profit increased 20.0% in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016 due primarily to the higher gross margin, lower business realignment costs and lower SM&A expenses, as discussed above. Operating profit margin increased to 19.0% in 2017 from 16.0% in 2016 driven by these same factors.

Interest Expense, Net

Net interest expense was $2.8 million higher in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. The increase was due to higher levels of long-term debt as well as higher interest rates on commercial paper during the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the 2016 quarter.

Other (Income) Expense, Net

Other (income) expense, net totaled $10.1 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $8.2 million for the same period of 2016, driven in both periods by the write-down on equity investments qualifying for federal historic and energy tax credits.

Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rate

Our effective income tax rate was 27.9% for the second quarter of 2017 compared to 37.4% for the same period of 2016. Relative to the statutory rate, the 2017 effective tax rate was impacted by a favorable foreign rate differential relating to our cocoa procurement operations, investment tax credits, and the benefit of ASU 2016-09, which were partially offset by non-benefited costs resulting from the Margin for Growth Program. The higher 2016 effective rate reflected the SGM valuation allowance impact.

Net Income Attributable to The Hershey Company and Earnings Per Share-diluted

Net income increased $57.5 million, or 39.4%, while EPS-diluted increased $0.27, or 39.7%, in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. The increases in both net income and EPS-diluted were driven by the higher gross margin, lower business realignment costs and lower SM&A expenses, as discussed above.

Results of Operations - First Six Months 2017 vs. First Six Months 2016

Net Sales

Net sales increased 2.2% in the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, reflecting favorable price realization of 1.1%, volume increases of 0.5% and a 0.7% benefit from acquisitions, partially offset by an unfavorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates of 0.1%. Excluding foreign currency, our net sales increased 2.3% in first six months of 2017. The favorable net price realization was attributed to lower levels of trade promotional spending in both the North America and International and Other segments versus the prior year. Consolidated volumes increased as a result of higher sales volume in North America, driven by a stronger Easter season, as well as benefits from innovation and the barkTHINS brand acquisition. Additionally, net sales growth benefited from the timing of new stand-up packaging as well as distributor changes by several retailers resulting in increased retail inventory. These volume increases were partially offset by volume declines in our International and Other segment primarily due to macroeconomic challenges in China.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

Cost of sales decreased 1.5% in the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. The improvement was driven by favorable commodity costs, a $27.2 million year-over-year decrease in business realignment costs, and supply chain productivity. These benefits were offset in part by unfavorable manufacturing variances and higher freight and warehousing costs.

Gross margin increased by 200 basis points in the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, driven by lower trade promotional spending, lower commodity and business realignment costs and supply chain productivity, partially offset by higher supply chain costs.

Selling, Marketing and Administrative

Selling, marketing and administrative (“SM&A”) expenses decreased $26.5 million or 2.8% in the first six months of 2017. Advertising and related consumer marketing expense decreased 0.3% during this period. Excluding these advertising and related consumer marketing costs, selling and administrative expenses for 2017 decreased by 4.1% as compared to 2016. SM&A benefited from lower business realignment costs as well as costs savings and efficiency initiatives, partially offset by higher investments in go-to-market capabilities.

Long-lived Asset Impairment Charges

In the first six months of 2017, we recorded long-lived asset impairment charges of $208.7 million. This relates to a first quarter write-down of certain intangible assets that had been recognized in connection with the 2014 SGM acquisition and write-down of property, plant and equipment. See Note 7 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Business Realignment Activities

In the first six months of 2017 and 2016, we recorded business realignment costs of $46.0 million and $28.2 million, respectively. The 2017 costs related primarily to severance and other program costs associated with the Margin for Growth Program that commenced in the first quarter of 2017. The 2016 costs related primarily to the Operational Optimization Program, as described in Note 7 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Operating Profit and Operating Profit Margin

Operating profit decreased 15.8% in the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016 due primarily to the long-lived asset impairment charges and higher business realignment costs, partially offset by higher gross margin and lower SM&A expenses, as discussed above. Operating profit margin decreased to 14.3% in 2017 from 17.4% in 2016 driven by these same factors.

Interest Expense, Net

Net interest expense was $5.5 million higher in the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. The increase was due to higher levels of long-term debt as well as higher interest rates on commercial paper during the second six months of 2017 as compared to the 2016 period.

Other (Income) Expense, Net

Other (income) expense, net totaled expense of $9.9 million during the first six months of 2017 versus income of $13.1 million for the same period of 2016. The 2016 income included an extinguishment gain of $26.7 million related to the settlement of the SGM liability. Additionally, in 2016, we recognized a $15.1 million write-down on equity investments qualifying for federal historic and energy tax credits, compared to a $10.3 million write-down in the first six months of 2017.

Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rate

Our effective income tax rate was 33.0% for the first six months of 2017 compared with 34.4% for the same period of 2016. Relative to the statutory rate, the 2017 effective tax rate was impacted by a favorable foreign rate differential relating to our cocoa procurement operations, investment tax credits and the benefit of ASU 2016-09, which were partially offset by non-benefited costs resulting from the Margin for Growth Program. The 2016 effective rate benefited from the impact of non-taxable income related to the settlement of the SGM liability and investment tax credits.

Net Income attributable to The Hershey Company and Earnings Per Share-diluted

Net income decreased $47.2 million, or 12.6%, while EPS-diluted decreased $0.21, or 12.1%, in the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. The decreases in both net income and EPS-diluted were driven by the long-lived asset impairment charges and higher business realignment costs, as noted above.

SEGMENT RESULTS

The summary that follows provides a discussion of the results of operations of our two reportable segments: North America and International and Other. The segments reflect our operations on a geographic basis. 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 integration costs and NSRPE 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 CODM 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 integral to our ongoing operations. For further information, see the Non-GAAP Information section of this MD&A.

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



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017		July 3, 2016			July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Net Sales:
North America	$	1,477,014	$	1,444,841		$	3,154,160		$	3,078,312
International and Other	185,977		192,830			388,509			388,171
Total	$	1,662,991	$	1,637,671		$	3,542,669		$	3,466,483

Segment Income (Loss):
North America	$	460,382	$	425,723		$	1,013,520		$	955,113
International and Other	8,368		(3,462		)	10,091			(16,695		)
Total segment income	468,750		422,261			1,023,611			938,418
Unallocated corporate expense (1)	123,173		126,623			242,823			248,794
Unallocated mark-to-market losses (gains) on commodity derivatives (2)	11,556		(39,886		)	(5,532		)	(4,940		)
Long-lived asset impairment charges	—		—			208,712			—
Costs associated with business realignment activities	14,454		62,095			61,442			76,525
Non-service related pension expense	4,215		9,205			8,583			14,306
Acquisition and integration costs	11		1,462			311			1,462
Operating profit	315,341		262,762			507,272			602,271
Interest expense, net	24,126		21,338			47,867			42,343
Other (income) expense, net	10,098		8,128			9,927			(13,097		)
Income before income taxes	$	281,117	$	233,296		$	449,478		$	573,025

(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 and (d) other gains or losses that are not integral to segment performance.


(2)	Reflects gains and losses on commodity derivative instruments that are excluded from segment income until the related inventory is sold. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

North America

The North America segment is responsible for our chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery market position, as well as our grocery and growing snacks market positions, in the United States and Canada. This includes developing and growing our business in chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery, pantry, food service and other snacking product lines. North America accounted for 88.8% and 88.2% of our net sales for the three months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, respectively. North America results for the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 were as follows:



	Three Months Ended						Percent		Six Months Ended						Percent
	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016			Change		July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016			Change
In millions of dollars
Net sales	$	1,477.0		$	1,444.8		2.2	%	$	3,154.2		$	3,078.3		2.5	%
Segment income	460.4			425.7			8.1	%	1,013.5			955.1			6.1	%
Segment margin	31.2		%	29.5		%			32.1		%	31.0		%

Results of Operations - Second Quarter 2017 vs. Second Quarter 2016

Net sales of our North America segment increased $32.2 million or 2.2% in 2017 compared to 2016, driven by increased volume of 1.7% due to benefits from innovation and 0.6% from the barkTHINS brand acquisition. Additionally, net sales growth benefited from the timing of new stand-up packaging as well as distributor changes by several retailers resulting in increased retail inventory. Net price realization increased by 0.2% due to decreased levels of trade promotional spending. Excluding a 0.3% unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, the net sales of our North America segment increased by approximately 2.5%.

Our North America segment income increased $34.7 million or 8.1% in 2017 compared to 2016, driven by higher gross profit, partially offset by investments in greater levels of selling expense and go-to-market capabilities and increased depreciation and amortization resulting from the recent barkTHINS brand acquisition.

Results of Operations - First Six Months 2017 vs. First Six Months 2016

Net sales of our North America segment increased $75.9 million or 2.5% in 2017 compared to 2016, driven by increased volume of 0.9% due to a strong Easter season, as well as benefits from innovation and the barkTHINS brand acquisition. Additionally, net sales growth benefited from the timing of new stand-up packaging as well as distributor changes by several retailers resulting in increased retail inventory. Net price realization increased by 0.8% due to decreased levels of trade promotional spending.

Our North America segment income increased $58.4 million or 6.1% in 2017 compared to 2016, driven by higher gross profit, partially offset by investments in greater levels of selling expense and go-to-market capabilities and increased depreciation and amortization resulting from the recent barkTHINS brand acquisition.

International and Other

The International and Other segment includes all other countries where we currently manufacture, import, market, sell or distribute chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery and other products. Currently, this includes our operations in China and other Asia markets, Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, along with exports to these regions. While a less significant component, this segment also includes our global retail operations, including Hershey’s Chocolate World stores in Hershey, Pennsylvania, New York City, Las Vegas, Shanghai, Niagara Falls (Ontario), Dubai and Singapore, as well as operations associated with licensing the use of certain trademarks and products to third parties around the world. International and Other accounted for 11.2% and 11.8% of our net sales for the three months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016, respectively. International and Other results for the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 were as follows:



	Three Months Ended						Percent		Six Months Ended						Percent
	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016			Change		July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016			Change
In millions of dollars
Net sales	$	186.0		$	192.8		(3.6	)%	$	388.5		$	388.2		0.1	%
Segment income (loss)	8.4			(3.5		)	NM		10.1			(16.7		)	NM
Segment margin	4.5		%	(1.8		)%			2.6		%	(4.3		)%

Results of Operations - Second Quarter 2017 vs. Second Quarter 2016

Net sales of our International and Other segment decreased $6.8 million or 3.6% in 2017 compared to 2016, reflecting volume declines of 2.1%, unfavorable price realization of 1.4% and an unfavorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates of 0.1%. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, the net sales of our International and Other segment decreased by approximately 3.5%.

The volume decrease primarily related to continued softness in the China chocolate category due to macroeconomic challenges, partially offset by net sales increases in Latin America and select export markets. Constant currency net sales in Mexico and Brazil increased by 16.9% and 2.8%, respectively, driven by solid chocolate marketplace performance. India also experienced constant currency net sales growth of 1.7%. The unfavorable net price realization was mainly driven by increased levels of returns, discounts and allowances in China compared to the prior year.

Our International and Other segment generated income of $8.4 million in 2017 compared to a loss of $3.5 million in 2016. Combined income in Latin America and export markets improved versus the prior year and lower operating expenses in China as a result of our Margin for Growth Program contributed to the positive segment income.

Results of Operations - First Six Months 2017 vs. First Six Months 2016

Net sales of our International and Other segment increased $0.3 million or 0.1% in 2017 compared to 2016, reflecting favorable price realization of 3.6%, partially offset by volume declines of 3.2% and an unfavorable impact from foreign currency exchange rates of 0.3%. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, the net sales of our International and Other segment increased by approximately 0.4%.

The favorable net price realization was driven by decreased levels of trade promotional spending, which declined significantly compared to the prior year. The volume decrease primarily related to continued softness in the China chocolate category due to macroeconomic challenges, partially offset by net sales increases in Latin America and select export markets. Constant currency net sales in Mexico and Brazil increased by 14.8% and 10.9%, respectively, driven by solid chocolate marketplace performance. India also experienced constant currency net sales growth of 8.7%.

Our International and Other segment generated income of $10.1 million in 2017 compared to a loss of $16.7 million in 2016. Combined income in Latin America and export markets improved versus the prior year and lower operating expenses in China as a result of our Margin for Growth Program contributed to the positive segment income.

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 and (d) other gains or losses that are not integral to segment performance.

In the second quarter of 2017, unallocated corporate expense totaled $123.2 million, as compared to $126.6 million in the same period of 2016, primarily due to savings realized in 2017 from our productivity and cost savings initiatives. In the first six months of 2017, unallocated corporate expense totaled $242.8 million, as compared to $248.8 million in the same period of 2016, primarily due to savings realized in 2017 from our productivity and cost savings initiatives.

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 July 2, 2017, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $214.1 million. At December 31, 2016, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $297.0 million. Our cash and cash equivalents during the first six months of 2017 declined $82.9 million compared to the 2016 year-end balance as a result of the net uses of cash outlined in the following discussion.

Approximately two-thirds of the balance of our cash and cash equivalents at July 2, 2017 was held by subsidiaries domiciled outside of the United States. If these amounts held outside of the United States were to be repatriated, under current law they would be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, less applicable foreign tax credits. However, our intent is to permanently reinvest these funds outside of the United States. The cash that our foreign subsidiaries hold for indefinite reinvestment is expected to be used to finance foreign operations and investments. We believe we have sufficient liquidity to satisfy our cash needs, including our cash needs in the United States.

Cash Flow Summary

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



	Six Months Ended
In millions of dollars	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	335.7		$	368.7
Investing activities	(106.2		)	(404.5		)
Financing activities	(315.1		)	(62.2		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2.7			1.7
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	$	(82.9	)	$	(96.3	)

Operating activities

We generated net cash from operating activities of $335.7 million in the first six months of 2017, a decrease of $33.0 million compared to $368.7 million in the same period of 2016. This decrease in net cash from operating activities was mainly driven by the following factors:


•	Working capital (comprised of trade accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable and accrued liabilities) used cash of $200.8 million in the 2017 period compared to $133.0 million during the same period of 2016. This $67.8 million fluctuation was mainly driven by:


◦	$45.0 million increase in cash generated by accounts receivable, primarily attributed to higher net sales during the first six months of 2017 versus 2016.


◦	$79.8 million increase in cash used by inventories, due to a higher year-over-year build up of U.S. inventories to satisfy seasonal core and variety product requirements, coupled with a higher investment in inventory in Brazil, driven by volume and pricing growth in that market.


◦	$33.1 million increase in cash used by accounts payable and accrued liabilities, mainly due to the timing of payments for trade-related and other accounts payables.


•	Cash used by accrued income taxes increased $36.3 million, mainly due to the timing of estimated tax payments in the 2017 period compared to the same period of 2016.

•

The net uses of cash noted above were offset in part by higher net income adjusted for non-cash charges to operations (including depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, deferred income taxes, long-lived asset impairment charges, write-down of equity investments, the gain on settlement of the SGM liability and other charges). Our incremental net income adjusted for non-cash charges increased by $84.5 million in the 2017 period relative to the same period of 2016.

Investing activities

We used net cash for investing activities of $106.2 million in the first six months of 2017, a decrease of $298.3 million compared to $404.5 million in the same period of 2016. This decrease in net cash used in investing activities was mainly driven by the following factors:


•	Capital spending. We spent $19.4 million less for property, plant and equipment, including capitalized software, during the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. For the full year 2017, we expect capital expenditures, including capitalized software, to approximate $270 million to $290 million.


•	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 energy tax credits. We invested approximately $5.7 million more in projects qualifying for tax credits during the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016.


•	Business acquisitions. In April 2016, we acquired Ripple Brand Collective, LLC for $285 million. Further details regarding our business acquisition activity are provided in Note 2 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financing activities

We used net cash for financing activities of $315.1 million in the first six months of 2017, an increase of $252.9 million compared to $62.2 million in the same period of 2016. This increase 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 six months of 2017, we had a net reduction in short-term borrowings of $14 million primarily due to repayments on short-term foreign bank borrowings. During the first six months of 2016, we generated cash flow of $742 million from proceeds on short-term commercial paper issuances, partially offset by a $112 million reduction in short-term foreign bank borrowings.

•

Share repurchases. We used cash for total share repurchases of $100 million during the first six months of 2017 pursuant to our practice of replenishing shares issued for stock options and incentive compensation. We used cash for total share repurchases of $453 million during the first six months of 2016, which also included shares repurchased in the open market under pre-approved share repurchase programs.


•	Dividend payments. Total dividend payments to holders of our Common Stock and Class B Common Stock were $256.1 million during the first six months of 2017, an increase of $13.0 million compared to $243.1 million in the same period of 2016.


•	Proceeds from the exercise of stock options. We received $54.8 million from employee exercises of stock options, net of payments of employee taxes withheld from share-based awards, during the first six months of 2017, an increase of $15.7 million compared to $39.1 million in the same period of 2016.


•	Other. In February 2016, we used $35.8 million to purchase the remaining 20% of the outstanding shares of SGM.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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

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 report. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this report may be identified by the use of words such as “intend,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “projected,” “estimated,” and “potential,” 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:


•	Issues or concerns related to the quality and safety of our products, ingredients or packaging could cause a product recall and/or result in harm to the Company's reputation, negatively impacting our operating results;


•	Increases in raw material and energy costs along with the availability of adequate supplies of raw materials 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;


•	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;


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


•	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 could negatively impact our financial results;


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


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


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


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


•	Such other matters as discussed in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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.

The total notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding was $350 million at July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The notional amount relates to fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps which convert a comparable amount of fixed-rate debt to variable rate debt at July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates applied to this now variable rate debt as of July 2, 2017 would have increased interest expense by approximately $1.8 million for the first six months of 2017 and $3.6 million for the full year 2016.

We consider our current risk related to market fluctuations in interest rates on our remaining debt portfolio, excluding fixed-rate debt converted to variable 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 July 2, 2017 and December 31, 2016 by approximately $140 million and $142 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.

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 $14.7 million as of July 2, 2017 and $9.6 million as of December 31, 2016. Our open commodity contracts had a notional value of $423.3 million as of July 2, 2017 and $739.4 million as of December 31, 2016. At the end of the second quarter of 2017, 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 $42.3 million, generally offset by a reduction in the cost of the underlying commodity purchases.

Other than as described above, market risks have not changed significantly from those described in our 2016 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 July 2, 2017. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of July 2, 2017.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended July 2, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Information on legal proceedings is included in Note 14 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

When evaluating an investment in our Common Stock, investors should consider carefully, among other things, the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our other reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. There have been no material changes in our risk factors since the filing of our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K, other than to include the following risk factor related to our implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system.

Complications with the design or implementation of our new enterprise resource planning system 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 enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system. This ERP system will replace 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. The ERP system implementation process has required, and will continue to require, the investment of significant personnel and financial resources. We may not be able to successfully implement the ERP system without experiencing delays, increased costs and other difficulties. If we are unable to successfully design and implement the new ERP system as planned, our financial positions, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively impacted. Additionally, if we do not effectively implement the ERP system as planned or 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 delayed.

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

he 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 July 2, 2017:



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)
April 3 through April 30	—	$	—	—	$	100,000
May 1 through May 28	600,000	$	111.99	—	$	100,000
May 29 through July 2	286,675	$	114.42	—	$	100,000
Total	886,675	$	112.77	—

(1) During the three months ended July 2, 2017, 886,675 shares of Common Stock were purchased in connection with our practice of buying back shares sufficient to offset those issued under incentive compensation plans. All of the shares of Common Stock purchased during the period were purchased in open market transactions.

(2) In January 2016, our Board of Directors approved an additional $500 million share repurchase authorization. As of July 2, 2017, approximately $100 million remained available for repurchases of our Common Stock under this program. The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits.

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



Exhibit Number		Description
10.1		Form of Notice of Special Award of Performance Stock Units is incorporate by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 5, 2017+
12.1		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*
31.1		Certification of Michele G. Buck, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2		Certification of Patricia A. Little, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1		Certification of Michele G. Buck, Chief Executive Officer, and Patricia A. Little, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

*		Filed herewith
**		Furnished herewith
+		Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement

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:	July 28, 2017	/s/ Patricia A. Little
		Patricia A. Little
		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

Date:	July 28, 2017	/s/ Javier H. Idrovo
		Javier H. Idrovo
		Chief Accounting Officer
		(Principal Accounting Officer)

Exhibit

Exhibit 12.1

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(in thousands of dollars except for ratios)

(unaudited)



	Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2017			July 3, 2016
Earnings:

Income before income taxes	$	449,478		$	573,025

Add (deduct):

Fixed charges	56,475			52,094
Amortization of capitalized interest	473			1,343
Capitalized interest	(1,859		)	(3,561		)
Adjustment to exclude noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries and income from equity investee	—			(1,464		)

Earnings as adjusted	$	504,567		$	621,437

Fixed Charges:

Interest expensed and capitalized	$	50,253		$	46,522
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs	792			801
Portion of rents representative of the interest factor (a)	5,430			4,771

Total fixed charges	$	56,475		$	52,094

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges	8.93			11.93


(a)	Portion of rents representative of the interest factor consists of one-third of rental expense for operating leases.

Exhibit

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

July 28, 2017

Exhibit

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Patricia A. Little, 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/ PATRICIA A. LITTLE

Patricia A. Little

Chief Financial Officer

July 28, 2017

Exhibit

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 July 2, 2017 (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:	July 28, 2017	/s/ MICHELE G. BUCK

		Michele G. Buck Chief Executive Officer

Date:	July 28, 2017	/s/ PATRICIA A. LITTLE

		Patricia A. Little Chief 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.