Hershey Foods (HSY)

Net Income

Net income was $590.9 million in 2004 compared with $457.6 million in 2003. Net income per share-diluted of $2.30 for 2004, was up 33% from $1.73 per share for 2003 as a result of the reduction to the 2004 provision for income taxes resulting from the adjustment to income tax contingency reserves, increased income from operations and the impact of lower weighted-average shares outstanding resulting from share repurchases during the year and the impact of the cumulative effect of accounting change recorded in 2003.

Net income was $457.6 million in 2003 compared with $403.6 million in 2002. Net income per share-diluted of $1.73 for 2003, was up 18% from $1.47 per share for 2002 as a result of increased income from operations and the impact of lower weighted-average shares outstanding resulting from share repurchases during the year. Income before the cumulative effect of accounting change was $465.0 million for 2003, a 15% increase over 2002. Income per share-diluted before the cumulative effect of accounting change was $1.76 for 2003, 20% higher than in 2002. Income before the cumulative effect of accounting change for 2003 included total net business realignment charges of $15.5 million after tax and a gain on the sale of certain gum brands of $5.7 million after tax.

Net income in 2002 was $403.6 million including total net business realignment charges of $21.5 million after tax and after-tax expenses of $10.9 million related to the exploration of the sale of the Company.