Post-earnings recap
Reported
Thu, Jul 30, 2026
EPS actual
$1.90
EPS est.
$1.45
EPS surprise
+30.67%
1-day move
-3.63%
The Hershey Company's earnings report showed a significant miss on EPS, which likely contributed to the stock's decline of 3.63%. Investors were expecting stronger earnings, and the lack of revenue data adds uncertainty. The absence of management commentary further complicates the outlook for the company.
| Metric | Actual | Expected | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPS | $1.90 | $2.27 | -16.27% |
| Revenue | N/A | $3.3B | N/A |
No transcript is on record for this earnings call, so the analysis is based solely on numerical results.
The Hershey Company (HSY) is a leading manufacturer of chocolate and confectionery products, known for iconic brands like Hershey's, Reese's, and Kit Kat. As a key player in the consumer staples sector, Hershey's performance reflects broader trends in consumer spending and preferences for snacks and treats.
Last quarter
In Q1-2026, Hershey reported an EPS of $2.35, surpassing estimates by 14.41%. However, the stock fell 1.81% the following day, indicating mixed market reactions.
Management promises and guidance
EPS beat streak
7Q
EPS beat rate
88%
Avg EPS surprise
+15.23%
Avg 1-day reaction
+0.59%
Analysts expect Hershey to report solid earnings driven by strong consumer demand for snacks. However, there are concerns about rising costs and competition in the market.
Bull case
If Hershey beats EPS estimates, it may signal strong brand loyalty and effective cost management, potentially driving the stock higher.
Bear case
A miss on EPS or revenue could suggest weakening demand or rising costs, leading to negative market sentiment.
Key metrics to watch
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
2.27EPS is a critical measure of profitability and will indicate how well Hershey has managed costs and sales.
Revenue
3.3BRevenue growth is essential for assessing overall demand for Hershey's products and its market position.
The print will turn on these.
Q1
Will Hershey's EPS meet or exceed the consensus estimate of $2.27?
A strong EPS could reinforce confidence in Hershey's profitability and brand strength.
Q2
What are the revenue expectations for the chocolate segment this quarter?
Revenue performance in this key segment will be crucial for assessing overall demand and market position.
—
Est. EPS
—
Est. Rev
—
Impl. Move
±13.6%
Why consensus could be wrong
The Street may be underestimating the impact of Hershey's recent marketing campaigns and product innovations, which could drive stronger than expected sales.
Supporting evidence
Hershey's recent product launches have received positive consumer feedback, suggesting potential revenue upside.
The company's strong brand loyalty may buffer against economic downturns, contrary to market fears.
Key risk
If revenue from the chocolate segment falls short of expectations, it could challenge the bullish outlook.
Pre-commit to what would confirm each case.
The market is closely watching Hershey's ability to maintain profitability amid rising costs and competition.
Bull confirmed if
An EPS of $2.30 or higher would confirm strong demand and effective cost management.
Bear confirmed if
An EPS below $2.12 would raise concerns about weakening consumer demand.
What the market is pricing for the move.
Implied Move
±5.44%
Historical Avg
±3.1%
The options market is pricing in a significant move, indicating that traders expect volatility around the earnings report.
Options are pricing ±5.4% while HSY has averaged ±3.1% over the last 8 prints — setup is pricing rich.
ATM IV
0.3%
30d HV
25.6%
Open-market trades by officers, directors, and 10%+ holders over the trailing 90 days.
Bought
$0.00
0 sh
0 insiders
Sold
$16.2M
100,000 sh
1 insider
Net
$16.2M
Net selling
Most Active Insiders· 40 open-market trades
Smart-money positioning from the most recent 13F filings.
Institutional
91.34%
of float
Insider
0.31%
of float
Holders
1,851
institutions
Top Holders· as of Jun 2026
Hershey Trust Company
55,948,131 sh · $9.0B
38.24%
-1.1%
Likely market behavior by outcome. Not investment advice.
Beat & raise
If Hershey beats expectations, history suggests a potential stock increase of around 1.77%, confirming strong brand loyalty.
In line / cautious
An in-line report may lead to muted reactions, as investors assess management's commentary on future growth.
Miss
A miss could result in a decline of about 0.58%, indicating concerns over demand or rising costs.
House and Senate STOCK Act disclosures over the trailing 6 months.
Trades
1
0 buys·1 sell
Members
1
House only
Est. Notional
$1,001.00–$15,000.00
disclosed dollar ranges
Most Active Members
1 trade
The lines on the call that would change the story.
$16.2M
Net selling
Recent Transactions
Sep 25, 2026 · @ $166.49
8,395 sh
$1.4M
Oct 7, 2026 · @ $160.45
8,553 sh
$1.4M
Oct 5, 2026 · @ $161.28
7,589 sh
$1.2M
Oct 1, 2026 · @ $159.37
7,494 sh
$1.2M
Sep 29, 2026 · @ $161.39
7,306 sh
$1.2M
Open-market trades only (Form 4 codes P/S). Awards, exercises, and tax-withholding excluded as routine compensation noise.
Blackrock Inc.
13,131,312 sh · $2.1B
8.97%
2.8%
Vanguard Capital Management LLC
9,683,520 sh · $1.6B
6.62%
0.6%
Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC
7,271,155 sh · $1.2B
4.97%
0.9%
State Street Corporation
7,227,295 sh · $1.2B
4.94%
-1.3%
13F filings updated quarterly. Position deltas show change in shares vs. the prior quarter.
Net selling
Recent Transactions
Traded Jul 10, 2026 · disclosed Jul 17, 2026
$1,001.00–$15,000.00
Filed 30–45+ days after the trade. Treat as positional context, not a leading indicator. Amounts are SEC-mandated dollar ranges, not exact values.