We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
On Mar 10, we issued an updated research report on Hershey, PA-based largest chocolate maker The Hershey Company (HSY - Free Report) .
Although soft international sales due to macro headwinds, changing consumer shopping habits and intense competition from the broader snacking environment in the U.S. were mainly responsible for the soft sales results since 2014, its strong brand portfolio, innovation along with productivity improvement and cost savings make it an attractive option for investors.
Cons
If we are to discuss the major hiccups that this chocolate maker has been facing of late, sluggish sales growth, currency headwinds and a shift in consumer taste to healthier snack options are the main concerns. Hershey, like many other U.S. food producers like Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ - Free Report) , ConAgra Foods Inc. (CAG - Free Report) and food giant General Mills, Inc. (GIS - Free Report) , has been facing the brunt of shifting consumer preference toward natural and organic ingredients over packaged and processed food.
Hershey’s sales declined 0.5% in 2015 and the weakness continued in 2016 with sales rising a meager 0.7% owing to persistently weak demand in China.
In fact, the company has also been witnessing chocolate category softness in key international markets like China. During the fourth quarter, China chocolate category retail sales dropped 4%, same as in the second and third quarter of 2016.
Again, higher supply chain costs and trade investments are continuously impacting the company’s productivity and cost-saving benefits. Hershey’s overall gross margin contracted 50 basis points or bps in the fourth quarter and 40 bps in 2016 as negative product mix, excess packaging/higher supply chain costs offset productivity cost savings.
What’s Driving the Stock?
Hershey is the largest producer of quality chocolate products in the U.S. It markets some of the world’s leading brands which enjoy widespread consumer acceptance. The company is trying to improve its performance through innovation and regularly brings change to its core brands to meet consumer demand that will boost its top line. Innovation is expected to contribute more in 2017.
Importantly, in order to counter tepid sales, management has optimized its North American manufacturing footprint, added manufacturing capabilities in international markets, increased supply chain productivity, invested in cost-cutting projects and improved the sales mix significantly under its continuous improvement and productivity (“CIP”) program.
Meanwhile, the company unveiled a new cost savings program, Margin for Growth, to boost profitability. The international division is expected to significantly contract its operating loss in 2018 on the back of the latest program.
Recently, Hershey unveiled plans to revamp the North America confectionery and snacks business and also return its international businesses to profitability at the earliest. The company announced that as part of its Margin for Growth multi-year program, it will reduce its global workforce outside the U.S. by 15%. This program will likely generate cash savings at an annual run-rate of $150 million to $175 million by end-2019 (read more: Hershey to Lay Off 15% of Workforce to Fuel Growth).
Meanwhile, the company’s fourth-quarter earnings improved 8.3% year over year as demand strengthened in the U.S. Moreover, a lower tax rate has offset the impact of relatively weaker margins.
Stock Performance
Hershey’s shares have outperformed the Zacks categorized Food-Confectionary industry in the last one year. The company’s shares gained around 17.9% while the broader industry declined 8.7%.
Estimates also moved higher by 3% for 2017 and 2.8% for 2018 over the last 60 days. Hershey has been able to beat earnings estimates in all of the past four quarters. The company’s productivity improvement and cost-saving initiatives should drive the stock’s performance in the upcoming quarters as well.
5 Trades Could Profit ""Big-League"" from Trump Policies
If the stocks above spark your interest, wait until you look into companies primed to make substantial gains from Washington's changing course.
Today Zacks reveals 5 tickers that could benefit from new trends like streamlined drug approvals, tariffs, lower taxes, higher interest rates, and spending surges in defense and infrastructure. See these buy recommendations now >>
Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker
Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time
Image: Bigstock
Hershey's (HSY) Cost-Saving Initiatives Look Promising
On Mar 10, we issued an updated research report on Hershey, PA-based largest chocolate maker The Hershey Company (HSY - Free Report) .
Although soft international sales due to macro headwinds, changing consumer shopping habits and intense competition from the broader snacking environment in the U.S. were mainly responsible for the soft sales results since 2014, its strong brand portfolio, innovation along with productivity improvement and cost savings make it an attractive option for investors.
Cons
If we are to discuss the major hiccups that this chocolate maker has been facing of late, sluggish sales growth, currency headwinds and a shift in consumer taste to healthier snack options are the main concerns. Hershey, like many other U.S. food producers like Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ - Free Report) , ConAgra Foods Inc. (CAG - Free Report) and food giant General Mills, Inc. (GIS - Free Report) , has been facing the brunt of shifting consumer preference toward natural and organic ingredients over packaged and processed food.
Hershey’s sales declined 0.5% in 2015 and the weakness continued in 2016 with sales rising a meager 0.7% owing to persistently weak demand in China.
In fact, the company has also been witnessing chocolate category softness in key international markets like China. During the fourth quarter, China chocolate category retail sales dropped 4%, same as in the second and third quarter of 2016.
Again, higher supply chain costs and trade investments are continuously impacting the company’s productivity and cost-saving benefits. Hershey’s overall gross margin contracted 50 basis points or bps in the fourth quarter and 40 bps in 2016 as negative product mix, excess packaging/higher supply chain costs offset productivity cost savings.
What’s Driving the Stock?
Hershey is the largest producer of quality chocolate products in the U.S. It markets some of the world’s leading brands which enjoy widespread consumer acceptance. The company is trying to improve its performance through innovation and regularly brings change to its core brands to meet consumer demand that will boost its top line. Innovation is expected to contribute more in 2017.
Importantly, in order to counter tepid sales, management has optimized its North American manufacturing footprint, added manufacturing capabilities in international markets, increased supply chain productivity, invested in cost-cutting projects and improved the sales mix significantly under its continuous improvement and productivity (“CIP”) program.
Meanwhile, the company unveiled a new cost savings program, Margin for Growth, to boost profitability. The international division is expected to significantly contract its operating loss in 2018 on the back of the latest program.
Recently, Hershey unveiled plans to revamp the North America confectionery and snacks business and also return its international businesses to profitability at the earliest. The company announced that as part of its Margin for Growth multi-year program, it will reduce its global workforce outside the U.S. by 15%. This program will likely generate cash savings at an annual run-rate of $150 million to $175 million by end-2019 (read more: Hershey to Lay Off 15% of Workforce to Fuel Growth).
Meanwhile, the company’s fourth-quarter earnings improved 8.3% year over year as demand strengthened in the U.S. Moreover, a lower tax rate has offset the impact of relatively weaker margins.
Stock Performance
Hershey’s shares have outperformed the Zacks categorized Food-Confectionary industry in the last one year. The company’s shares gained around 17.9% while the broader industry declined 8.7%.
Estimates also moved higher by 3% for 2017 and 2.8% for 2018 over the last 60 days. Hershey has been able to beat earnings estimates in all of the past four quarters. The company’s productivity improvement and cost-saving initiatives should drive the stock’s performance in the upcoming quarters as well.
5 Trades Could Profit ""Big-League"" from Trump Policies
If the stocks above spark your interest, wait until you look into companies primed to make substantial gains from Washington's changing course.
Today Zacks reveals 5 tickers that could benefit from new trends like streamlined drug approvals, tariffs, lower taxes, higher interest rates, and spending surges in defense and infrastructure. See these buy recommendations now >>