Hershey Reaches 52-Week High - Analyst Blog
28 Febbraio 2013 - 1:00PM
Zacks
The Hershey Company (HSY) recently reached a
52-week high of $82.69 on Feb 27, 2013 on the back of solid fourth
quarter 2012 results and its impressive guidance for fiscal
2013.
Growth Drivers
Hershey’s fourth quarter 2012 adjusted earnings of 74 cents a share
rose 5.7% from the prior-year quarter. Earnings, however, missed
the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny as top-line growth was
offset by operating margin declines and rising advertising
expenses.
Hershey’s net sales rose 11.7% from the prior-year quarter driven
by volume growth, which was boosted by holiday-driven spending.
The company is consistently gaining market share in core U.S.
retail channels. Hershey’s U.S. CMG (Candy, Mint, Gum) business,
which accounts for over 90% of the U.S retail business, grew
significantly in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Hershey’s adjusted gross margin for the quarter expanded 140 basis
points (bps) driven by pricing and productivity benefits and
improved efficiencies from supply chain initiatives offset
headwinds from rising input costs.
The company also discussed several initiatives to drive growth over
the long term and aims to be a $10 billion company by 2017.
Hershey maintained its outlook for net sales growth in a range of
5%–7% for the long term. Volume growth of core brands driven by
increased promotional efforts and innovation are expected to help
Hershey achieve its sales targets.
Gross margins are expected to expand in 2013 by 180–200 basis
points as input cost inflation subsides. Productivity gains and
costs savings will also boost margins.
The company maintained its adjusted earnings guidance in a range of
$3.56–$3.63, which represents growth of 10%–12% year over year.
Investments in core brand marketing, regular product innovation,
productivity improvement and moderate commodity cost inflation are
expected to help it achieve these targets despite a challenging
macroeconomic environment.
Valuation is Decent
Hershey currently trades at a forward price-to-equity (P/E) of
22.8x, a discount of 14.1% to the peer group average of 26.55x. On
a price-to-sales and price-to-book basis, the stock is trading at a
premium to the peer group average. However, on a return on equity
(ROE) basis, the stock looks attractive. The stock has a
trailing12-month ROE of 73.7%, which is above its peer group
average of 7.8%.
Hershey carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Other companies in the sector that warrant investor attention
include Flowers Foods, Inc. (FLO), ConAgra
Foods, Inc. (CAG) and J&J Snack Foods
Corp. (JJSF), all carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong
Buy).
CONAGRA FOODS (CAG): Free Stock Analysis Report
FLOWERS FOODS (FLO): Free Stock Analysis Report
HERSHEY CO/THE (HSY): Free Stock Analysis Report
J&J SNACK FOODS (JJSF): Free Stock Analysis Report
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