The Hershey Company (HSY) 8-K Hershey Announces First Quarter Results

Exhibit 99.1

HERSHEY ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

● Net sales increase 5.5% driven by volume

● Earnings per share-diluted of $1.06 as reported and $1.09 adjusted

● Outlook for 2013 net sales reaffirmed, earnings per share-diluted updated:

- Full year net sales expected to increase 5-7%, driven primarily by volume

- Reported earnings per share-diluted expected to be $3.52 to $3.58

- Adjusted earnings per share-diluted expected to increase about 12% and be in

  the $3.61 to $3.65 range

HERSHEY, Pa., April 25, 2013 — The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced sales and earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. Consolidated net sales were $1,827,426,000 compared with $1,732,064,000 for the first quarter of 2012. Reported net income for the first quarter of 2013 was $241,906,000 or $1.06 per share-diluted, compared with $198,651,000 or $0.87 per share-diluted for the comparable period of 2012.

“Hershey's first quarter results, driven by solid volume growth across core brands, represent a good start to the year,” said John P. Bilbrey, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company. “We maintained our retail momentum in the U.S. and key international markets. Specifically, first quarter U.S. marketplace performance was strong, driven by solid volume and unit trends across most major pack types resulting in market share gains in every channel where we compete. The broader launch of Brookside Foods Ltd (Brookside) products in the U.S. is off to a good start and we're excited about the potential of the brand. Despite the Easter season being shorter versus last year, most customers had a higher percentage dollar sell through versus last year with preliminary seasonal market share results in line with expectations. We're focused on executing against our plans and are confident that in 2013 we'll continue to drive core brand volume growth in U.S. and international markets.”

As described in the Note below, for the first quarter of 2013, these results, prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), included net pre-tax charges of $10.6 million or $0.03 per share-diluted. These charges included $7.0 million, or $0.02 per share-diluted, related to the Project Next Century program, non-service-related pension expense (NSRPE) of $2.8 million, or $0.01 per share-diluted, and acquisition and integration costs of $0.8 million. Reported gross margin of 46.5 percent increased 360 basis points versus last year while reported income before interest and income taxes (EBIT) increased 17.1 percent, generating EBIT margin of 21.4 percent, an increase of 210 basis points versus 2012. For the first quarter of 2012, results included pre-tax charges for Project Next Century of $23.6 million, or $0.07 per share-diluted, NSRPE of $4.1 million, or $0.01 per share-diluted, and acquisition and integration costs related to Brookside of $5.9 million, or $0.01 per share-diluted. Adjusted net income, which excludes these net charges, was $248,468,000, or $1.09 per share-diluted, in the first quarter of 2013, compared with $219,910,000, or $0.96 per share-diluted, in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 13.5 percent in adjusted earnings per share-diluted.

For the full year 2013, the Company expects reported earnings per share-diluted of $3.52 to $3.58. This projection, prepared in accordance with GAAP, assumes business realignment charges and NSRPE costs of $0.07 to $0.09 per share-diluted. Charges associated with the Project Next Century program are expected to be $0.03 to $0.05 per share-diluted while NSRPE is expected to be $0.04 per share-diluted. Despite the impact of these charges in 2013, reported gross margin is expected to increase 260 to 280 basis points.

First Quarter Performance

Hershey's first quarter net sales increased 5.5 percent, relatively in line with the forecast. Volume was a 5.3 point benefit in the quarter, including about 2 points from the broader launch of Brookside products in the U.S. Food, Drug and Mass channels. Net price realization was a 0.5 point benefit and foreign currency exchange rates a 0.3 point headwind.

Hershey's U.S. candy, mint and gum (CMG) retail takeaway for the 12 weeks ended March 23, 2013, excluding the impact of Easter seasonal activity in the year ago and current period was up 8.6 percent, in the expanded all outlet combined plus convenience store channels (xAOC+C-store) which accounts for approximately 90 percent of the Company's U.S. retail business. U.S. market share, including Easter seasonal activity in the year ago and current

period, was up in every channel resulting in a market share gain of 1.4 points. This performance reflects solid market share gains across most core brands including Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Ice Breakers as well as Brookside.

First quarter adjusted gross margin increased 240 basis points driven by lower commodity costs, supply chain productivity and cost savings initiatives and net price realization. Selling, marketing and administrative (SM&A) expenses, excluding advertising, increased about 9 percent in the first quarter, less than initial estimates. Advertising expense increased 22 percent versus the year ago period, in line with the forecast, supporting core brands and new product launches in both the U.S. and international markets. As a result, adjusted EBIT increased 9.3 percent generating adjusted EBIT margin of 22.0 percent, a 70 basis point increase versus last year.

Outlook

The Company continues to expect 2013 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, the U.S. launch of the Brooksideproduct line in the food, drug and mass channels, as well as innovation such as Kit Kat Minis, Twizzlers Bites and Jolly Rancher Bites in the U.S. and the expansion of the five core global brands – Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers – in key international markets.

Given the strong start to the year, the Company now expects 2013 full year adjusted gross margin expansion of 190 to 210 basis points. The annual increase in advertising expense remains the same and is expected to be up about 20 percent versus last year supporting the Brookside launch and innovation in both the U.S. and international markets. For the full year, SM&A expenses, excluding advertising, is expected to increase at a rate slightly greater than the first quarter percentage increase. These investments will build on the go-to-market capabilities established over the last few years, consumer insights work in key international markets, our Insights Driven Performance initiative and increased levels of consumer promotion and sampling to drive new product trial and repeat. As a result, the Company anticipates 2013 adjusted earnings per share-diluted growth of about 12 percent versus a previous estimate of a 10 to 12 percent increase.

“We're very pleased with the start to 2013 and expect to build on our momentum,” continued Bilbrey. “In the first quarter we achieved Brookside distribution and consumer trial objectives. In the second quarter we'll track repeat purchases in assessing our current outlook and will then have an indication if there is upside potential to the brand's full year net sales target. I'm also excited about the new products launching over the remainder of the year in U.S. and international markets, including, Kit Kat Minis, Hershey's Kisses Deluxe and Hershey's solid chocolate products in China and the Hershey's Mais wafer product in Brazil. The investments we're making in our business in the form of capabilities and innovation, position us to succeed in the marketplace and should benefit the Company in the near and long term,” 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 business realignment and impairment charges, business acquisition closing and integration costs and non-service-related pension expense (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 integration costs.

	First Quarter Ended
	March 31, 2013				April 1, 2012
In thousands except per share amounts	Dollars			Percent of Net Sales	Dollars			Percent of Net Sales
Gross Profit/Gross Margin	$	849,337		46.5%	$	743,396		42.9%
Project Next Century charges included in cost of sales	127				19,454
NSRPE included in cost of sales	1,357				2,176
Acquisition costs included in cost of sales	253				588
Adjusted non-GAAP Gross Profit/Gross Margin	$	851,074		46.6%	$	765,614		44.2%
EBIT/EBIT Margin	$	391,817		21.4%	$	334,530		19.3%
Charges included in cost of sales	1,737				22,218
Project Next Century charges included in SM&A	6				813
NSRPE included in SM&A	1,491				1,975
Acquisition costs included in SM&A	493				5,331
Business Realignment & Impairment charges, net	6,851				3,304
Adjusted non-GAAP EBIT/EBIT Margin	$	402,395		22.0%	$	368,171		21.3%
Net Income/Net Margin	$	241,906		13.2%	$	198,651		11.5%
Charges included in cost of sales	1,737				22,218
Charges included in SM&A	1,990				8,119
Business Realignment & Impairment charges, net	6,851				3,304
Tax impact of charges	(4,016		)		(12,382		)
Adjusted non-GAAP Net Income/Net Margin	$	248,468		13.6%	$	219,910		12.7%
EPS - Diluted	$	1.06			$	0.87
Charges included in cost of sales	—				0.06
Charges included in SM&A	0.01				0.02
Business Realignment & Impairment charges, net	0.02				0.01
Adjusted non-GAAP EPS - Diluted	$	1.09			$	0.96

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 expects to record total GAAP charges of about $10 million to $15 million, or $0.03 to $0.05 per share-diluted, attributable to Project Next Century and $13.2 million, or $0.04 per share-diluted, of NSRPE.

Below is a reconciliation of earnings per share-diluted in accordance with GAAP to non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share-diluted and projected adjusted earnings per share-diluted for 2013:

	2012	2013 (Projected)
Reported EPS-Diluted	$2.89	$3.52 - $3.58
Acquisition closing & integration charges	0.04	—
Total Business Realignment and Impairment Charges	0.25	0.03 - 0.05
NSRPE	0.06	0.04
Adjusted EPS-Diluted	$3.24	$3.61 - $3.65

				Appendix I
The Hershey Company
Project Next Century
Expected Timing of Costs and Savings ($m)
	2013			2014
Realignment Charges:
Cash	$10	to	$15	~	$5
Non-Cash	—		—	—		—
Project Management and Start-up Costs	—		—	—		—
Total Project Next Century Realignment      Charges & Costs	$10	to	$15	~	$5
Project Next Century Cap-Ex	$15	to	$20	—		—
Project Next Century projected savings:
Annual	$25	to	$30	$5	to	$10
Cumulative	$60	to	$70	$65	to	$80

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains statements that are forward-looking. 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 April 25, 2013. 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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Financial Contact:	Mark Pogharian	717-534-7556
Media Contact:	Leigh Horner	717-508-1247

The Hershey Company
Summary of Consolidated Statements of Income
for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and April 1, 2012
(in thousands except per share amounts)
			First Quarter
			2013			2012
Net Sales			$	1,827,426		$	1,732,064
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of Sales			978,089			988,668
Selling, Marketing and Administrative			450,669			405,562
Business Realignment and Impairment      Charges, net			6,851			3,304
Total Costs and Expenses			1,435,609			1,397,534
Income Before Interest and Income Taxes (EBIT)			391,817			334,530
Interest Expense, net			23,633			24,024
Income Before Income Taxes			368,184			310,506
Provision for Income Taxes			126,278			111,855
Net Income			$	241,906		$	198,651
Net Income Per Share	- Basic	- Common	$	1.11		$	0.91
	- Basic	- Class B	$	1.00		$	0.82
	- Diluted	- Common	$	1.06		$	0.87
Shares Outstanding	- Basic	- Common	163,776			164,603
	- Basic	- Class B	60,629			60,631
	- Diluted	- Common	227,706			228,655
Key Margins:
Gross Margin			46.5		%	42.9		%
EBIT Margin			21.4		%	19.3		%
Net Margin			13.2		%	11.5		%

The Hershey Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012
(in thousands of dollars)
Assets	2013		2012
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	730,096	$	728,272
Accounts Receivable - Trade (Net)	516,593		461,383
Deferred Income Taxes	119,812		122,224
Inventories	626,643		633,262
Prepaid Expenses and Other	186,877		168,344
Total Current Assets	2,180,021		2,113,485
Net Plant and Property	1,705,387		1,674,071
Goodwill	585,735		588,003
Other Intangibles	210,071		214,713
Deferred Income Taxes	16,793		12,448
Other Assets	147,623		152,119
Total Assets	$	4,845,630	$	4,754,839
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Loans Payable	$	353,406	$	375,898
Accounts Payable	412,319		441,977
Accrued Liabilities	620,420		650,906
Taxes Payable	105,922		2,329
Total Current Liabilities	1,492,067		1,471,110
Long-Term Debt	1,539,800		1,530,967
Other Long-Term Liabilities	666,175		668,732
Deferred Income Taxes	35,024		35,657
Total Liabilities	3,733,066		3,706,466
Total Stockholders' Equity	1,112,564		1,048,373
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	4,845,630	$	4,754,839