Hershey 4th-quarter profit rises on price increases and lower charges

Hershey 4Q profit climbs, partly on price hikes

HERSHEY, Pa. — Hershey, the nation’s second-biggest candy maker, says its fourth-quarter profit climbed on price increases and lower charges as it continued to push its brands to cost-conscious consumers and gain market share.

Hershey Co., which recently said it would not bid for British rival Cadbury, says its earnings rose 54 percent to $126.8 million, or 55 cents per share, for the quarter.

Removing one-time charges, profit was 63 cents per share.

Sales grew 2 percent to $1.41 billion. The quarter included Halloween and Christmas — usually a strong sales period for the maker of Hershey’s chocolate bars and Reese’s peanut butter cups.

Analysts expected a profit of 60 cents per share on revenue of $1.42 billion.