12:56 PM EDT, 07/30/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Hershey (HSY) lifted the bottom end of its full-year growth guidance range after reporting better-than-expected second-quarter results amid "resilient" demand.

The chocolate maker now expects 2026 adjusted earnings between $8.36 and $8.52 a share, representing annual growth of 32.5% to 35% and reflecting a higher bottom end versus its previous guidance of 30% growth. The current consensus on FactSet is for non-GAAP EPS of $8.43. Net sales are now pegged to rise by 4.5% to 5%, compared with the prior forecast's low end calling for a gain of 4%.

"US consumer sentiment remains soft, and shoppers continue to be value-oriented and selective in their spending," Chief Executive Kirk Tanner said in prepared remarks posted on the company's website. "We remain prudent in our outlook, recognizing that behaviors may change with seasonality."

Hershey shares were down 2.1% in Thursday afternoon trade.

For the three months through June 28, adjusted EPS jumped to $1.90 from $1.21 a year earlier, topping Wall Street's views for $1.43. Sales improved 6.6% to $2.79 billion, ahead of the Street's $2.63 billion estimate.

Demand was "resilient" across the company's segments despite supply chain issues, while price realization and productivity initiatives drove margin recovery, Chief Financial Officer Steve Voskuil said.

North America confectionery sales rose 4.2% to $2.17 billion, while the region's salty snacks revenue climbed 23% to $387.8 million, aided by the contribution of last year's acquisition of LesserEvil. International sales rose 5.7% to $225.9 million.

RBC Capital Markets had flagged a potential second-quarter miss by Hershey, based on soft consumption data in North America. The brokerage expected the company to reiterate its full-year guidance, with weightage towards the low end, it said in a note to clients earlier this week.

EPS growth in the ongoing quarter is "expected to be the strongest of the year," with pricing net of commodity costs projected to be "most favorable" versus a year earlier, Voskuil said Thursday.

Earlier in the week, Mondelez International ( MDLZ ) reported better-than-expected second-quarter results, while the beverage and snack food company reiterated its full-year adjusted EPS guidance.

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