Hershey Forecasts 4%-5% 2026 Sales Growth, Boosts Dividend 8.7%
Hershey forecast 2026 organic net sales growth of 4%-5% and 100 basis point EBIT margin expansion driven by price increases and cost savings. The company raised its annual dividend by 8.7% to $1.64 per share and authorized a new $1 billion share repurchase program.
1. 2026 Financial Outlook
Hershey projects organic net sales to grow 4%-5% in fiscal 2026, reflecting anticipated volume gains and targeted price increases across its core chocolate and confection segments. Management also expects to expand adjusted EBIT margin by 100 basis points through operational efficiencies and supply-chain optimizations.
2. Dividend Increase and Share Repurchases
The board approved an 8.7% hike to the annual dividend, raising the payout to $1.64 per share, marking the company’s 22nd consecutive year of increases. In addition, Hershey authorized a fresh $1 billion share repurchase program to be executed over the next 12 months.
3. Strategic Growth Drivers
Hershey plans to invest in marketing and innovation within North America to capture premium confection market share while leveraging cost-savings initiatives from its ongoing restructuring. The company aims to reinvest free cash flow into high-return projects and maintain a strong balance sheet to support future shareholder distributions.