Hershey Looks to Sweeten Edge With Judicious Investments in Its Brands and Manufacturing Network

Consumers' penchant for confectionery and snacking fare has yet to fulfilled, as evidenced by the outsize organic sales growth Hershey has chalked up the past few quarters. But from our vantage point, this isn't merely a byproduct of a favorable demand environment. Rather, we applaud the strategic focus CEO Michele Buck has brought to bear over the past six years--ramping up investments in its core domestic brands while pulling back in its international arm (high-single-digit percentage of total sales, where we surmise it lacks a competitive edge).