The Hershey Company announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 27, 2026, and updated its full-year outlook for 2026. The company reported consolidated net sales of $3,275.5 million for the quarter, representing a 3.0% increase compared to the prior year. Organic, constant currency net sales increased by 0.8%.
Net income for the third quarter was $580.8 million, or $2.88 per share-diluted, an increase of 111.8%. Adjusted earnings per share-diluted were $2.64, an increase of 103.1%. For the nine months ended September 27, 2026, consolidated net sales were $9,167.0 million, an increase of 6.6%, while adjusted earnings per share-diluted were $6.89, an increase of 49.1%.
Segment performance included North America Confectionery net sales of $2,656.5 million, up 1.6%, and North America Salty Snacks net sales of $392.7 million, up 22.3%. The North America Salty Snacks growth was driven by the acquisition of LesserEvil, which contributed approximately 20 percentage points to segment growth.
Hershey updated its 2026 financial outlook, raising its guidance for reported earnings per share growth to 84% to 90% and adjusted earnings per share growth to 36% to 38.5%. The company projects a reported and adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 25%, interest expense of approximately $200 million, and capital expenditures of approximately $450 million.
