Hershey has announced sales and earnings for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2013.

 

For the fourth quarter of 2013, consolidated net sales were$1,956,253,000 compared with $1,751,035,000 for the fourth quarter of 2012. Reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $186,075,000 or $0.82 per share-diluted, compared with $149,879,000or $0.66 per share-diluted for the comparable period of 2012.

 

“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% 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% share of the market.”

 

“Additionally, our China business reached a milestone 10.2% 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.”

 

The company confirmed its outlook for 2014.