THE HERSHEY COMPANY 
By FINANCIAL CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Pogharian Jeff Beckman
717-534-7556 717-534-8090
• Fourth quarter and full-year 2013 net sales increase 11.7% and 7.6%, respectively
• Fourth quarter earnings per share-diluted of $0.82 as reported and $0.86 adjusted
• Full-year 2013 earnings per share-diluted of $3.61 as reported and $3.72 adjusted
• Outlook for 2014 net sales reaffirmed, earnings per share-diluted increased:
- Full-year net sales expected to increase 5-7%, driven primarily by volume
- Reported earnings per share-diluted expected to be $4.02 to $4.11
- Adjusted earnings per share-diluted expected to increase 9-11% and be in the
"The Hershey Company ended 2013 strongly with high-quality net sales and adjusted earnings per share-diluted growth slightly exceeding our expectations," said John P. Bilbrey, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company. "Net sales increased 11.7 percent in the fourth quarter, driven by solid volume growth in North America and in international markets.
Our results are also reflected in our marketplace data. Specifically, in the U.S., we gained candy, mint and gum (CMG) market share in every measured channel for the third consecutive year. As a result, Hershey reclaimed its CMG category leadership position in the U.S. with a 31.1 percent share of the market. Additionally, our China business reached a milestone 10.2 percent share of
the chocolate market and, in Canada, our combined candy and mint segments became the category leader in that marketplace. The progress we've made across our business gives us confidence that our strategies are working well and meeting consumer wants and needs. In 2014, our plans are focused on targeted growth initiatives in key global markets, new product launches in both the U.S. and international geographies and continued support of our core brands. I'm also pleased with the agreement we entered into last month with Shanghai Golden Monkey. This will build on Hershey's continuing commitment to the China market and will further accelerate the Company's scale and geographic footprint in that market. We continue to anticipate that the acquisition will close by the end of the second quarter."
As described in the Note below, for the fourth quarter of 2013, these results, prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), included pre-tax charges of $10.9 million or $0.04 per share-diluted. These charges included $5.5 million, or
$0.02 per share-diluted, primarily related to the Project Next Century program, $3.0 million, or
$0.02 per share-diluted, of acquisition and integration costs and non-service-related pension expense (NSRPE) of $2.4 million. Reported gross margin of 43.8 percent increased 70 basis points versus last year, while reported income before interest and income taxes (EBIT) increased
22.0 percent, generating EBIT margin of 15.8 percent, an increase of 140 basis points versus
2012. For the fourth quarter of 2012, results included net pre-tax charges of $24.3 million or
$0.08 per share-diluted. These charges included $7.9 million, or $0.03 per share-diluted, related to the Project Next Century program, NSRPE of $7.6 million, or $0.02 per share-diluted, and acquisition and integration costs related to Brookside Foods Ltd. (Brookside) of $1.3 million. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $7.5 million, or $0.03 per share-diluted, related to its 69 percent investment in Tri-US, Inc. of Boulder, Colorado, a company that manufactured nutritional beverages under the "Mix1" brand name.
For the full year 2013, consolidated net sales were $7,146,079,000, compared with
$6,644,252,000 in 2012, an increase of 7.6 percent. Reported net income for 2013 was
$820,470,000, or $3.61 per share-diluted, compared with $660,931,000 or $2.89 per share- diluted, for 2012. As described in the Note, for the full years 2013 and 2012, these results, prepared in accordance with GAAP, included net pre-tax charges of $34.0 million and $117.7 million, or $0.11 and $0.35 per share-diluted, respectively. Charges associated with the Project
Next Century program for 2013 and 2012 were $19.1 million and $76.3 million, or $0.05 and
$0.22 per share-diluted. NSRPE for 2013 and 2012 was $10.9 million and $20.6 million, or
$0.03 and $0.06 per share-diluted, respectively.
Acquisition and integration costs, primarily related to Shanghai Golden Monkey in 2013 and Brookside in 2012, were $4.1 million and $13.4 million, or $0.03 and $0.04 per share-diluted. Additionally, 2012 results were impacted by the aforementioned non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $7.5 million, or $0.03 per share-diluted. As described in the Note, adjusted net income for each year, which excludes these net charges, was $844,320,000, or $3.72 per share-diluted in
2013, compared with $740,040,000, or $3.24 per share-diluted in 2012, an increase of 14.8 percent in adjusted earnings per share-diluted.
In 2014, the Company expects reported earnings per share-diluted of $4.02 to $4.11, including net GAAP charges of about $7 million to $9 million, or $0.02 to $0.03 per share-diluted. This projection, prepared in accordance with GAAP, assumes net business realignment charges related to Project Next Century of $0.01 to $0.02 per share-diluted, non-service-related pension income (NSRPI) of $0.01 to $0.02 per share-diluted as well as acquisition and transaction costs
associated with Shanghai Golden Monkey of $0.02 to $0.03 per share-diluted. Despite the impact of these charges, in 2014, reported gross margin is expected to increase around 50 basis points.
Fourth Quarter Performance
Hershey's fourth-quarter net sales increased 11.7 percent, driven primarily by core brand volume growth and new products, a 9.0 point and 3.2 point benefit, respectively. Foreign currency exchange rates were 0.5 points unfavorable. Net sales in North America slightly exceeded expectations driven by a solid holiday season. As expected, fourth quarter net sales outside the U.S. and Canada accelerated, resulting in a 3.5 point contribution to the Company's overall top- line growth.
Hershey's U.S. candy, mint and gum (CMG) retail takeaway for the 12 weeks and 52 weeks ended December 28, 2013, in the expanded All Outlet Combined plus convenience store channels (xAOC+C-store), which accounts for approximately 90 percent of our U.S. retail
business, was up 5.2 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively, and relatively in line with U.S. net sales. Hershey U.S. CMG market share increased 1.1 points in 2013.
Adjusted gross margin for the fourth quarter and full year increased 80 basis points and 220 basis points, respectively, slightly lower than expectations. In the fourth quarter, lower commodity costs and supply chain productivity contributed to gross margin expansion. The gross margin expansion was less than our earlier estimates as greater than expected fourth quarter volume required purchases at higher prices and year-end inventory valuations generated higher costs than anticipated.
Selling, marketing and administrative (SM&A) expenses, excluding advertising, increased 10 percent in the fourth quarter, driven by planned investments in global go-to-market capabilities, selling and marketing costs, and other employee-related expenses. As a result, adjusted EBIT for the fourth quarter increased 15.3 percent generating adjusted EBIT margin of 16.3 percent, a 50 basis point increase versus last year. For the fourth quarter and full year, advertising increased 20 percent and 21 percent, respectively, supporting new product launches as well as core brands in the U.S. and international markets. Additionally, as previously communicated, the tax rate in the fourth quarter of 34.2 percent was greater than the year ago period resulting in a full-year tax rate of 34.3 percent, in line with our estimate.
Outlook
The Company expects 2014 net sales growth of 5 to 7 percent, including the impact of foreign currency exchange rates. Net sales will be driven primarily by core brand volume growth as well as innovation such as York Minis, Hershey's Spreads, Lancaster Soft Crèmes Caramels and Brookside Crunchy Clusters in the U.S., Hershey's Kisses Deluxe in China and the continued rollout of our five global brands in key international markets.
As stated in October, gross margin is expected to increase in 2014, driven by productivity and cost savings initiatives. Therefore, the Company expects 2014 adjusted gross margin expansion of around 50 basis points. Advertising and related consumer marketing is expected to increase mid to high single-digits, on a percentage basis versus last year. SM&A expenses, excluding advertising and related consumer marketing, will increase in 2014 building on the investments in
go-to-market capabilities established over the last few years, as well as consumer knowledge- based projects related to our Insights Driven Performance initiative. As a result, the Company anticipates adjusted earnings per share-diluted growth for the full year to be in the 9 to 11 percent range. The aforementioned outlook excludes estimated operating results for Shanghai Golden Monkey. Completion of the agreement is expected to occur in the second quarter of
2014, subject to necessary government and regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other conditions. Upon completion, and excluding integration and transition costs, the Company expects the acquisition to be slightly accretive on an adjusted basis in 2014.
"Our business continues to respond to the investments we have made, as evidenced by our retail takeaway and market share gains, and we expect our momentum to continue in 2014," stated Bilbrey. "Core brands, as well as our solid pipeline of new products, will be supported by advertising, merchandising and programming that is expected to continue to drive net sales and earnings growth. We're focused on executing against our annual plan and believe that our agreement with Shanghai Golden Monkey, and the confectionery plant under construction in Malaysia, will enable us to achieve the goals outlined in our strategic plan, in a disciplined way," Bilbrey concluded.
Note: In this release, Hershey references income measures that are not in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) because they exclude costs associated with business realignment and impairment, business acquisition closing and integration costs and non- service-related pension expenses (NSRPE). These non-GAAP financial measures are used in evaluating results of operations for internal purposes. These non-GAAP measures are not intended to replace the presentation of financial results in accordance with GAAP. Rather, the Company believes exclusion of such items provides additional information to investors to facilitate the comparison of past and present operations. A reconciliation is provided below of
earnings per share-diluted in accordance with GAAP as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income to non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude business realignment and
impairment charges, NSRPE and acquisition closing and integration costs.
Gross Profit/Gross Margin $ 857,386 43.8% $ 755,208 43.1% Project Next Century charges/(credits) included in cost of
Gross Profit/Gross Margin $ 3,280,848 45.9% $ 2,859,882 43.0% Project Next Century charges included in cost of sales 402 36,383
NSRPE included in cost of sales 5,374 8,607
Acquisition costs included in cost of sales 310 4,080
Adjusted non-GAAP Gross Profit/Gross Margin $ 3,286,934 46.0% $ 2,908,952 43.8%
EBIT/EBIT Margin $ 1,339,675 18.7% $ 1,111,148 16.7% Charges included in cost of sales 6,086 49,070
Project Next Century charges included in SM&A 18 2,446
NSRPE included in SM&A 5,511 11,965
Acquisition costs included in SM&A 3,762 9,294
Business Realignment & Impairment
charges, net 18,665 44,938
Adjusted non-GAAP EBIT/EBIT Margin $ 1,373,717 19.2% $ 1,228,861 18.5%
Net Income/Net Margin $ 820,470 11.5% $ 660,931 9.9% Charges included in cost of sales 6,086 49,070
Charges included in SM&A 9,291 23,705
Business Realignment & Impairment
charges, net 18,665 44,938
Tax impact of charges (10,192) (38,604)
Adjusted non-GAAP Net Income/Net Margin $ 844,320 11.8% $ 740,040 11.1%
EPS - Diluted $ 3.61 $ 2.89
Charges included in cost of sales 0.02 0.14
Charges included in SM&A 0.04 0.07
Business Realignment & Impairment charges, net 0.05 0.14
Adjusted non-GAAP EPS - Diluted $ 3.72 $ 3.24
In 2012, the Company recorded GAAP charges of $76.3 million, or $0.22 per share-diluted, attributable to the Project Next Century program and $20.6 million, or $0.06 per share-diluted, of NSRPE. Additionally, 2012 results were impacted by acquisition closing and integration costs related to the Brookside acquisition of $13.4 million, or $0.04 per share-diluted, and non-cash impairment charges of $7.5 million, or $0.03 per share-diluted, related to the discontinuance of the Tri-US, Inc. nutritional beverages business.
In 2013, the Company recorded total GAAP charges of $19.1 million, or $0.05 per share-diluted, attributable to Project Next Century and $10.9 million, or $0.03 per share-diluted, of NSRPE. Acquisition and integration costs, primarily related to Shanghai Golden Monkey, were $4.1 million, or $0.03 per share-diluted.
In 2014, the Company expects to record net GAAP charges of about $7 million to $9 million, or
$0.02 to $0.03 per share-diluted. Charges associated with the Project Next Century program are expected to be $0.01 to $0.02 per share-diluted while NSRPI is expected to be $0.01 to $0.02 per share-diluted. Acquisition and transaction costs related to Shanghai Golden Monkey are expected to be $0.02 to $0.03 per share-diluted.
Below is a reconciliation of earnings per share-diluted in accordance with GAAP to non-GAAP
adjusted earnings per share-diluted:
Reported EPS - Diluted $2.89 $3.61 $4.02 - $4.11
Acquisition, Integration and
Transaction Charges 0.04 0.03 0.02 - 0.03
Total Business Realignment and
Impairment Charges | 0.25 | 0.05 | 0.01 - 0.02 | ||
NSRPE | 0.06 | 0.03 | - | ||
NSRPI | - | - | (0.01) - (0.02) | ||
Adjusted EPS - Diluted | $3.24 | $3.72 | $4.05 - $4.13 |
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Many of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "intend," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "projected," "estimated," and "potential," among others. These statements are made based upon current expectations that are subject to risk and uncertainty. Because actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements when deciding whether to buy, sell or hold the Company's securities. Factors that could cause results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: issues or concerns related to the quality and safety of our products, ingredients or packaging; changes in raw material and other costs; selling price increases, including volume declines associated with pricing elasticity; market demand for our new and existing products; increased marketplace competition; disruption to our supply chain; failure to successfully execute and integrate acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures; changes in governmental laws and regulations, including taxes; political, economic, and/or financial market conditions; risks
and uncertainties related to our international operations; disruptions, failures or security breaches of our information technology infrastructure; the impact of future developments related to the investigation by government regulators of alleged pricing practices by members of the confectionery industry and civil antitrust lawsuits in the United States; pension costs or funding requirements that could increase at a higher than anticipated rate; and such other matters as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2012. All information in this press release is
as of January 30, 2014. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.
Live Webcast
As previously announced, the Company will hold a conference call with analysts today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be webcast live via Hershey's corporate website, www.thehersheycompany.com. Please go to the Investor Relations section of the website for
further details.
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(in thousands except per share amounts)
Fourth Quarter Twelve MonthsNet Sales $ 1,956,253 $ 1,751,035 $ 7,146,079 $ 6,644,252
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of Sales 1,098,867 995,827 3,865,231 3,784,370
Selling, Marketing and Administrative 543,783 485,857 1,922,508 1,703,796
Business Realignment and Impairment
Charges, net 5,298 16,734 18,665 44,938
Total Costs and Expenses 1,647,948 1,498,418 5,806,404 5,533,104
Income Before Interest and Income Taxes (EBIT) 308,305 252,617 1,339,675 1,111,148
Interest Expense, net 21,870 22,666 88,356 95,569
Income Before Income Taxes 286,435 229,951 1,251,319 1,015,579
Provision for Income Taxes 100,360 80,072 430,849 354,648
Net Income $ 186,075 $ 149,879 $ 820,470 $ 660,931
Net Income Per Share - Basic - Common $ 0.85 $ 0.69 $ 3.76 $ 3.01
- Basic - Class B $ 0.77 $ 0.62 $ 3.39 $ 2.73
- Diluted - Common $ 0.82 $ 0.66 $ 3.61 $ 2.89
Shares Outstanding - Basic - Common 163,739 163,349 163,549 164,406
- Basic - Class B 60,623 60,630 60,627 60,630
- Diluted - Common 227,357 227,264 227,203 228,337
Key Margins:
Gross Margin 43.8 % 43.1 % 45.9% 43.0% EBIT Margin 15.8 % 14.4 % 18.7% 16.7% Net Margin 9.5 % 8.6 % 11.5% 9.9%
The Hershey Company Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012(in thousands of dollars)
Assets | 2013 | 2012 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ 1,118,508 | $ 728,272 | |
Accounts Receivable - Trade (Net) | 477,912 | 461,383 | |
Deferred Income Taxes | 52,511 | 122,224 | |
Inventories | 659,541 | 633,262 | |
Prepaid Expenses and Other | 178,862 | 168,344 | |
Total Current Assets | 2,487,334 | 2,113,485 | |
Net Plant and Property | 1,805,345 | 1,674,071 | |
Goodwill | 576,561 | 588,003 | |
Other Intangibles | 195,244 | 214,713 | |
Deferred Income Taxes | - | 12,448 | |
Other Assets | 293,004 | 152,119 | |
Total Assets | $ 5,357,488 | $ 4,754,839 | |
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | |||
Loans Payable | $ 166,875 | $ 375,898 | |
Accounts Payable | 461,514 | 441,977 | |
Accrued Liabilities | 699,722 | 650,906 | |
Taxes Payable | 79,911 | 2,329 | |
Total Current Liabilities | 1,408,022 | 1,471,110 | |
Long-Term Debt | 1,795,142 | 1,530,967 | |
Other Long-Term Liabilities | 434,068 | 668,732 | |
Deferred Income Taxes | 104,204 | 35,657 | |
Total Liabilities | 3,741,436 | 3,706,466 | |
Total Stockholders' Equity | 1,616,052 | 1,048,373 | |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ 5,357,488 | $ 4,754,839 |
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