Hershey Company: net income climbs 50 percent in Q4/2008

Hershey / PA. (thc) The Hershey Company announced sales and earnings for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008. Consolidated net sales were 1,377 billion USD compared with 1,342 billion USD for the fourth quarter of 2007. Reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2008 was 82,155 million USD or 0,36 USD per share-diluted, compared with 54,343 million USD or 0,24 USD per share-diluted, for the comparable period of 2007. Summary: Fourth quarter and full-year 2008 net sales increase 2,6 percent and 3,8 percent. Fourth quarter earnings per share-diluted of 0,36 USD as reported and 0,59 USD from operations. Full-year 2008 reported earnings per share-diluted of 1,36 USD as reported and 1,88 USD from operations. FDMxC marketplace performance improves; retail takeaway and market share increased 5.2 percent and 0.5 points, respectively, in the fourth quarter. Outlook for 2009 growth in net sales two to three percent, with earnings per share-diluted from operations to increase, but less than long-term objective of six to eight percent (complete press release).