HERSHEY FOODS CORP
10-Q, 1999-05-12
SUGAR & CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS
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                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                   FORM 10-Q


(X)  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period end                April 4, 1999          
                              -------------------------------------------------

                                       OR

(  )  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                    to                           
                             --------------------   ---------------------------

Commission file number                            1-183                       
                      ----------------------------------------------------------


                           HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            Delaware                                       23-0691590          
   (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                      Identification Number)

           100 Crystal A Drive
           Hershey, Pennsylvania                                17033          
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:         (717) 534-6799      
                                                    ----------------------------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name,former address and former fiscal year,if changed since last report)

       Indicate by check mark whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                    YES  X    NO
                                       -----     ------

       Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock,  $1 par value - 109,283,823  shares,  as of May 3, 1999.  Class B
Common Stock, $1 par value - 30,446,908  shares,  as of May 3, 1999.

Exhibit Index - Page 17

                                       1
<PAGE>


                           HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    (in thousands except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          For the Three Months Ended
                                                         April 4,            April 5,
                                                           1999                1998     
                                                       ----------          ----------

<S>                                                    <C>                 <C>       
Net Sales                                              $  945,152          $1,098,076
                                                       ----------          ----------

Costs and Expenses:

     Cost of sales                                        562,164             652,340
     Selling, marketing and administrative                266,754             299,370
     Gain on sale of business                            (243,785)               -   
                                                       ----------          ----------

       Total costs and expenses                           585,133             951,710
                                                       ----------          ----------

Income before Interest and Income Taxes                   360,019             146,366

     Interest expense, net                                 18,440              22,706
                                                       ----------          ----------

Income before Income Taxes                                341,579             123,660

     Provision for income taxes                           116,909              48,227
                                                       ----------          ----------

Net Income                                             $  224,670          $   75,433
                                                       ==========          ==========


Net Income Per Share - Basic                           $     1.58          $      .53
                                                       ==========          ==========

Net Income Per Share - Diluted                         $     1.57          $      .52
                                                       ==========          ==========



Average Shares Outstanding - Basic                        141,795             143,376
                                                       ==========          ==========

Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted                      143,293             145,461
                                                       ==========          ==========



Cash Dividends Paid per Share:

     Common Stock                                      $    .2400          $    .2200
                                                       ==========          ==========

     Class B Common Stock                              $    .2175          $    .2000
                                                       ==========          ==========


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>


                                       2
<PAGE>


                           HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                      APRIL 4, 1999 AND DECEMBER 31, 1998
                           (in thousands of dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

ASSETS                                                               1999               1998     
                                                                -----------        --------------

    Current Assets:
<S>                                                             <C>                <C>        
         Cash and cash equivalents                              $    55,410        $    39,024
         Accounts receivable - trade                                221,839            451,324
         Inventories                                                568,067            493,249
         Deferred income taxes                                       74,690             58,505
         Prepaid expenses and other                                 105,658             91,864
                                                                -----------        -----------
              Total current assets                                1,025,664          1,133,966
                                                                -----------        -----------
    Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost                        2,503,207          2,702,787
    Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization               (969,969)        (1,054,729)
                                                                -----------        -----------
              Net property, plant and equipment                   1,533,238          1,648,058
                                                                -----------        -----------
    Intangibles Resulting from Business Acquisitions                460,054            530,464
    Other Assets                                                     84,506             91,610
                                                                -----------        -----------
              Total assets                                      $ 3,103,462        $ 3,404,098
                                                                ===========        ===========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current Liabilities:
         Accounts payable                                       $   119,190        $   156,937
         Accrued liabilities                                        271,362            294,415
         Accrued income taxes                                       117,391             17,475
         Short-term debt                                             66,153            345,908
         Current portion of long-term debt                               89                 89
                                                                -----------        -----------
              Total current liabilities                             574,185            814,824
    Long-term Debt                                                  879,095            879,103
    Other Long-term Liabilities                                     327,297            346,769
    Deferred Income Taxes                                           299,540            321,101
                                                                -----------        -----------
              Total liabilities                                   2,080,117          2,361,797
                                                                -----------        -----------
    Stockholders' Equity:
         Preferred Stock, shares issued:
           none in 1999 and 1998                                    ---                ---
         Common Stock, shares issued:
           149,503,964 in 1999 and 149,502,964 in 1998              149,503            149,503
         Class B Common Stock, shares issued:
           30,446,908 in 1999 and 30,447,908 in 1998                 30,447             30,447
         Additional paid-in capital                                  31,946             29,995
         Unearned ESOP compensation                                 (24,749)           (25,548)
         Retained earnings                                        2,381,142          2,189,693
         Treasury-Common Stock shares at cost:
           40,256,335 in 1999 and 36,804,157 in 1998             (1,485,573)        (1,267,422)
         Accumulated other comprehensive loss                       (59,371)           (64,367)
                                                                -----------        -----------
              Total stockholders' equity                          1,023,345          1,042,301
                                                                -----------        -----------
              Total liabilities and stockholders' equity        $ 3,103,462        $ 3,404,098
                                                                ===========        ===========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.
</TABLE>

                                       3
<PAGE>


                           HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                           (in thousands of dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  For the Three Months Ended
                                                                                    April 4,            April 5,
                                                                                      1999                1998     
                                                                                    --------           --------

Cash Flows Provided from (Used by) Operating Activities
<S>                                                                                 <C>                <C>     
    Net Income                                                                      $224,670           $ 75,433
    Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
    Provided from Operations:
         Depreciation and amortization                                                40,518             37,945
         Deferred income taxes                                                        (7,211)             1,181
         Gain on sale of business - net of tax of $78,769                           (165,016)              ---
         Changes  in  assets  and  liabilities,  net of  effects  from 
         business acquisitions and divestitures:
              Accounts receivable - trade                                            208,976             81,535
              Inventories                                                           (100,074)           (26,616)
              Accounts payable                                                       (26,195)           (15,553)
              Other assets and liabilities                                           (36,453)           (33,410)
                                                                                    --------           --------
Net Cash Flows Provided from Operating Activities                                    139,215            120,515
                                                                                    --------           --------

Cash Flows Provided from (Used by) Investing Activities
    Capital additions                                                                (28,769)           (41,756)
    Capitalized software additions                                                    (8,820)            (7,773)
    Proceeds from divestiture                                                        450,000               ---
    Other, net                                                                         1,456              9,196
                                                                                    --------           --------
Net Cash Flows Provided from (Used by) Investing Activities                          413,867            (40,333)
                                                                                    --------           --------

Cash Flows Provided from (Used by) Financing Activities
    Net (decrease) in short-term debt                                               (279,755)           (17,541)
    Repayment of long-term debt                                                          (48)           (25,048)
    Cash dividends paid                                                              (33,221)           (30,860)
    Exercise of stock options                                                         13,287             10,522
    Incentive plan transactions                                                        ---              (11,875)
    Repurchase of Common Stock                                                      (236,959)             ---    
                                                                                    --------           --------
Net Cash Flows (Used by) Financing Activities                                       (536,696)           (74,802)
                                                                                    --------           --------

Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                                                 16,386              5,380
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period                                        39,024             54,237
                                                                                    --------           --------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period                                            $ 55,410           $ 59,617
                                                                                    ========           ========
            --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Paid                                                                       $ 33,607           $ 36,105
                                                                                    ========           ========

Income Taxes Paid                                                                   $ 20,666           $  2,837
                                                                                    ========           ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>

                                       4
<PAGE>


                           HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                       Accumulated
                                             Class B  Additional    Unearned                Treasury     Other           Total
                        Preferred  Common    Common    Paid-in       ESOP       Retained     Common    Comprehensive   Stockholders'
                          Stock    Stock     Stock     Capital    Compensation  Earnings      Stock    Income (Loss)      Equity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In thousands 
 of dollars

Balance as of 
<S>      <C> <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>       
December 31, 1998       $ ---      $149,503  $30,447  $29,995     $(25,548)     $2,189,693  $(1,267,422)  $(64,367)      $1,042,301
                                                                                                                         ----------

Comprehensive income:
Net income                                                                         224,670                                  224,670
Other comprehensive
 income:
Foreign currency 
 translation
  adjustments                                                                                                4,996            4,996
                                                                                                                         ----------
Comprehensive income                                                                                                        229,666
                                                                                                                         ----------
Dividends:
 Common Stock,$.24 
   per share                                                                       (26,599)                                 (26,599)
 Class B Common 
  Stock, $.2175 
   per share                                                                        (6,622)                                  (6,622)
Incentive plan 
 transactions                                            (480)                                                                 (480)
Exercise of stock
 options                                                2,304                                    18,808                      21,112
Employee stock 
 ownership trust 
  transactions                                            127          799                                                      926 
Repurchase of 
 Common Stock                                                                                  (236,959)                   (236,959)
                        ------     --------  -------  -------     --------      ----------   -----------  --------       ----------
Balance as of 
 April 4, 1999          $ ---      $149,503  $30,447  $ 31,946    $(24,749)     $2,381,142   $(1,485,573) $(59,371)      $1,023,345
                        =====      ========  =======  ========    ========      ==========   ===========  ========       ==========





























The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.
</TABLE>

                                       5
<PAGE>


                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




1.       BASIS OF PRESENTATION

         The accompanying  unaudited  consolidated  financial statements include
         the accounts of the Corporation and its subsidiaries  after elimination
         of intercompany  accounts and transactions.  These statements have been
         prepared in accordance  with the  instructions  to Form 10-Q and do not
         include all of the  information  and  footnotes  required by  generally
         accepted accounting  principles for complete financial  statements.  In
         the opinion of management,  all adjustments  (consisting only of normal
         recurring accruals)  considered  necessary for a fair presentation have
         been included.  Certain  reclassifications have been made to prior year
         amounts to conform to the 1999 presentation.  Operating results for the
         three months ended April 4, 1999, are not necessarily indicative of the
         results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1999. For
         more information,  refer to the consolidated  financial  statements and
         footnotes included in the Corporation's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K
         for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.

2.       INTEREST EXPENSE

        Interest expense, net consisted of the following:

                                                  For the Three Months Ended
                                                  --------------------------
                                             April 4, 1999         April 5, 1998
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                   (in thousands of dollars)

                  Interest expense             $19,551            $24,239
                  Interest income                 (902)              (933)
                  Capitalized interest            (209)              (600)
                                               -------            -------
                     Interest expense, net     $18,440            $22,706
                                               =======            =======



                                       6
<PAGE>




3.       NET INCOME PER SHARE

         A total of 40,256,335 shares were held as Treasury Stock as of April 4,
1999.

         In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 "Earnings Per
         Share," Basic and Diluted  Earnings per Share are computed based on the
         weighted  average  number of shares of the Common Stock and the Class B
         Stock outstanding as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             Income           Shares          Per-Share
For the Three Months Ended April 4, 1999                   (Numerator)     (Denominator)       Amount      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In thousands of dollars except shares and per share amounts

Net Income per Share - Basic
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>                  <C>  
Net income                                                $224,670        141,795,063          $1.58
                                                                                               =====

Effect of Dilutive Securities
Stock options                                                    -          1,447,014
Performance stock units                                          -             19,181
Restricted stock units                                           -             31,438
                                                          --------        -----------

Net Income per Share - Diluted
Net income and assumed conversions                        $224,670        143,292,696          $1.57
                                                          ========        ===========          =====


                                                             Income           Shares          Per-Share
For the Three Months Ended April 5, 1998                   (Numerator)     (Denominator)       Amount      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In thousands of dollars except shares and per share amounts

Net Income per Share - Basic
Net income                                                $ 75,433        143,375,704           $.53
                                                                                                ====

Effect of Dilutive Securities
Stock options                                                   -           2,021,543
Performance stock units                                         -              57,583
Restricted stock units                                          -               5,923
                                                          --------        -----------

Net Income per Share - Diluted
Net income and assumed conversions                        $ 75,433        145,460,753           $.52
                                                          ========        ===========           ====

</TABLE>


                                       7
<PAGE>




4.       INVENTORIES

         The majority of  inventories  are valued  under the last-in,  first-out
         (LIFO)  method.  The remaining  inventories  are stated at the lower of
         first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market. Inventories were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      
                                                         April 4, 1999             December 31, 1998
                                                         -------------             -----------------
                                                                    (in thousands of dollars)

<S>                                                     <C>                            <C>     
                  Raw materials                         $210,954                       $170,777
                  Goods in process                        97,531                         83,522
                  Finished goods                         350,186                        322,125
                                                        --------                       --------
                        Inventories at FIFO              658,671                        576,424
                  Adjustment to LIFO                     (90,604)                       (83,175)
                                                        --------                       --------
                        Total inventories               $568,067                       $493,249
                                                        ========                       ========
</TABLE>

5.       LONG-TERM DEBT

         In August 1997, the Corporation filed a Form S-3 Registration Statement
         under which it could offer,  on a delayed or  continuous  basis,  up to
         $500 million of additional debt  securities.  As of April 4, 1999, $250
         million of debt  securities  remained  available for issuance under the
         August 1997 Registration Statement.

6.       FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

         The carrying amounts of financial  instruments  including cash and cash
         equivalents,  accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt
         approximated  fair  value as of April 4, 1999 and  December  31,  1998,
         because of the  relatively  short  maturity of these  instruments.  The
         carrying value of long-term debt,  including the current  portion,  was
         $879.2 million as of April 4, 1999,  compared to a fair value of $950.4
         million,  based on quoted  market  prices for the same or similar  debt
         issues.

         As of April 4, 1999,  the  Corporation  had  foreign  exchange  forward
         contracts  maturing  in 1999  and 2000 to  purchase  $15.1  million  in
         foreign currency, primarily British sterling, and to sell $15.5 million
         in foreign  currency,  primarily  Canadian dollars and Japanese yen, at
         contracted forward rates.

         The fair value of foreign  exchange  forward  contracts is estimated by
         obtaining  quotes for future  contracts  with similar  terms,  adjusted
         where necessary for maturity differences. As of April 4, 1999, the fair
         value of foreign exchange forward  contracts  approximated the contract
         value. The Corporation does not hold or issue financial instruments for
         trading purposes.

         In order to minimize its  financing  costs and to manage  interest rate
         exposure, the Corporation, from time to time, enters into interest rate
         swap  agreements to effectively  convert a portion of its floating rate
         debt to fixed  rate  debt.  As of April 4, 1999,  the  Corporation  had
         agreements  outstanding  with an  aggregate  notional  amount  of $75.0
         million  maturing in 1999. As of April 4, 1999,  interest rates payable
         were at a weighted  average fixed rate of 6.3%,  and the interest rates
         receivable were floating based on the 30-day commercial paper composite
         rate 

                                       8
<PAGE>
         which was  approximately  5.0% as of April 4, 1999.  Any  interest
         rate differential on interest rate swaps is recognized as an adjustment
         to interest  expense  over the term of each  agreement.  As of April 4,
         1999, the fair value of interest rate swap agreements  approximated the
         contract value.  The  Corporation's  risk related to swap agreements is
         limited to the cost of replacing such  agreements at prevailing  market
         rates.

7.       DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

         In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
         of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 133,  Accounting for Derivative
         Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities  (SFAS  No.  133).  SFAS No.  133
         establishes  accounting  and reporting  standards  requiring that every
         derivative  instrument  be recorded  in the balance  sheet as either an
         asset or  liability  measured at its fair value.  SFAS No. 133 requires
         that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized  currently in
         earnings unless  specific hedge  accounting  criteria are met.  Special
         accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses
         to offset related  results on the hedged item in the income  statement,
         and requires  that a company must  formally  document,  designate,  and
         assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting.

         SFAS No. 133 is  effective  for fiscal years  beginning  after June 15,
         1999,  but may be implemented as of the beginning of any fiscal quarter
         after issuance.  Retroactive application is not permitted. SFAS No. 133
         must  be  applied  to  (a)  derivative   instruments  and  (b)  certain
         derivative  instruments  embedded in hybrid contracts that were issued,
         acquired, or substantively modified after December 31, 1997. Changes in
         accounting methods will be required for derivative instruments utilized
         by the Corporation to hedge commodity price,  foreign currency exchange
         rate and  interest  rate  risks.  Such  derivatives  include  commodity
         futures and options  contracts,  foreign  exchange  forward and options
         contracts and interest rate swaps.

         The Corporation  anticipates the adoption of SFAS No. 133 as of January
         1, 2000. As of April 4, 1999,  net deferred  losses on  derivatives  of
         approximately  $32.4  million  after tax would have been  reported as a
         component of other  comprehensive  loss and  classified as  accumulated
         other  comprehensive  loss  on the  consolidated  balance  sheets  upon
         adoption of SFAS No. 133.

8.       SHARE REPURCHASES

         A total of 1,963,089  shares of Common Stock was  purchased  during the
         first quarter of 1999 under the share repurchase program begun in 1996,
         completing   the  $200  million   program.   In  February   1999,   the
         Corporation's   Board  of  Directors   approved  an  additional   share
         repurchase program  authorizing the repurchase of up to $230 million of
         the Corporation's Common Stock. Under this new program, the Corporation
         purchased  1,579,779  shares of its Common Stock from the Hershey Trust
         Company, as trustee for the benefit of the Milton Hershey School and an
         additional 417,711 shares through open market  transactions  during the
         first  quarter  of 1999.  As of April 4,  1999,  a total of  40,256,335
         shares  were  held  as  Treasury  Stock  and  $105.5  million  remained
         available for repurchases of Common Stock under the repurchase  program
         approved in February.


                                       9
<PAGE>


                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Results of Operations - First Quarter 1999 vs. First Quarter 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

Consolidated net sales for the first quarter  decreased from $1,098.1 million in
1998 to $945.2 million in 1999, a decrease of 14% from the prior year. The lower
sales  primarily  reflected  a  decline  in sales of core  confectionery  brands
compared to a very strong  first  quarter of 1998 and lower sales as a result of
the divestiture of the Corporation's pasta business. The declines were partially
offset by incremental sales from the introduction of new confectionery products.

The consolidated gross margin decreased from 40.6% in 1998 to 40.5% in 1999. The
decrease reflected lower  profitability  resulting from the mix of confectionery
items sold in 1999  compared  to sales in the first  quarter of 1998,  primarily
related to lower sales of the more  profitable  standard bars.  Higher costs for
labor and overhead and certain major raw  materials,  primarily  milk and cocoa,
also  contributed to the lower gross margin in the first quarter of 1999.  These
cost increases were offset partially by a one-time benefit from revisions to the
Corporation's  retiree medical plan, decreased costs for packaging materials and
certain major raw materials,  primarily  almonds and sugar,  as well as improved
manufacturing  efficiencies.  Selling,  marketing  and  administrative  expenses
decreased by 11%,  reflecting  lower expenses  related to the divestiture of the
pasta  business and reduced  marketing  expenses for  existing  products.  These
decreases  were offset  partially  by  increased  spending  associated  with the
introduction of new products.

Net interest  expense in the first  quarter of 1999 was $4.3  million  below the
comparable  period of 1998,  as a portion of the  proceeds  from the sale of the
pasta business was used to reduce short-term borrowings.

Excluding the provision for income taxes associated with the gain on the sale of
the pasta  business,  the first quarter  effective  income tax rate was 39.0% in
1999 and 1998.

In January  1999,  the  Corporation  recorded a gain of $243.8  million,  $165.0
million  or $1.15  per  share -  diluted  after  tax,  on the sale of its  pasta
business.  Excluding  the after-tax  gain on the sale,  net income for the first
three months of 1999 of $59.7 million was 21% below the comparable period of the
prior year and net income per share - diluted  excluding the after-tax  gain was
$.42 per share or $.10 per share below the first quarter of 1998.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

Historically,  the  Corporation's  major  source  of  financing  has  been  cash
generated from  operations.  Domestic  seasonal  working  capital  needs,  which
typically peak during the summer,  generally have been met by issuing commercial
paper.  During the first three months of 1999, the  Corporation's  cash and cash
equivalents increased by $16.4 million. Cash and cash equivalents on hand at the
beginning of the period,  cash  provided from  operations  and proceeds from the
divestiture  of the pasta  business were  sufficient to repay $279.8  million of
short-term debt,  repurchase $237.0 million of the  Corporation's  Common Stock,
finance capital expenditures and capitalized software additions of $37.6 million
and pay cash dividends of $33.2 million.



                                       10
<PAGE>


The ratio of  current  assets to  current  liabilities  was 1.8:1 as of April 4,
1999, and 1.4:1 as of December 31, 1998. The Corporation's  capitalization ratio
(total  short-term  and  long-term  debt as a percent of  stockholders'  equity,
short-term  and  long-term  debt)  was 48% as of  April 4,  1999,  and 54% as of
December 31, 1998.

As of April 4, 1999,  the  Corporation  maintained a committed  credit  facility
agreement  with a syndicate of banks in the amount of $576.8 million which could
be borrowed  directly or used to support the issuance of commercial  paper.  The
Corporation  has the option to increase the credit facility by $1.0 billion with
the  concurrence  of the banks.  The  Corporation  also had lines of credit with
domestic and international commercial banks in the amount of approximately $23.0
million as of April 4, 1999 and December 31, 1998.

In March  1997,  the  Corporation  issued  $150  million of 6.95%  Notes under a
November 1993  Registration  Statement.  In August 1997, the Corporation  issued
$150 million of Notes and $250 million of Debentures under the November 1993 and
August 1997 Registration  Statements.  As of April 4, 1999, $250 million of debt
securities  remained  available for issuance under the August 1997  Registration
Statement.  Proceeds  from any offering of the $250  million of debt  securities
available  under  the  shelf  registration  may be used  for  general  corporate
requirements,  which include  reducing  existing  commercial  paper  borrowings,
financing  capital  additions,  and funding  future  business  acquisitions  and
working capital requirements.

As of April 4, 1999, the Corporation's  principal capital  commitments  included
manufacturing capacity expansion and modernization.  The Corporation anticipates
that capital  expenditures  will be in the range of $150 million to $170 million
per annum during the next several  years as a result of continued  modernization
of existing  facilities and capacity  expansion to support new products and line
extensions.   Such  expenditures  will  be  financed  with  cash  provided  from
operations and short-term borrowings.

The  potential  loss in fair value of foreign  exchange  forward  contracts  and
interest rate swaps  resulting from a hypothetical  near-term  adverse change in
market  rates of ten  percent was not  material as of April 4, 1999.  The market
risk resulting from a hypothetical  adverse market price movement of ten percent
associated  with the  estimated  average fair value of net  commodity  positions
increased from $7.6 million as of December 31, 1998, to $9.2 million as of April
4, 1999.  Market risk represents 10% of the estimated  average fair value of net
commodity positions at four dates prior to the end of each period.

Year 2000 Issues
- ----------------

Year 2000 issues associated with information systems relate to the way dates are
recorded and  computed in many  computer  systems.  These year 2000 issues could
have an impact upon the  Corporation's  information  technology  (IT) and non-IT
systems.  Non-IT systems include  embedded  technology such as  microcontrollers
which  are  integral  to  the  operation  of  most   machinery  and   equipment.
Additionally,  year 2000 issues could have a similar impact on the Corporation's
major business partners, including both customers and suppliers. While it is not
currently  possible  to  estimate  the total  impact of a failure  of either the
Corporation or its major  business  partners or suppliers to complete their year
2000  remediation in a timely manner,  the

                                       11
<PAGE>


Corporation has determined that it could suffer  significant  adverse  financial
consequences as a result of such failure.

Awareness  and  assessment  of  year  2000  issues   regarding   major  business
applications  software and other  significant IT systems began in 1990. A formal
program to address year 2000 issues  associated  with IT systems was established
in late 1995. In early 1998, a team was established  with  representatives  from
all  major   functional   areas  of  the   Corporation   which  assumed  overall
responsibility  for ensuring that remediation of both IT and non-IT systems will
be  completed  in  time  to  prevent  material   adverse   consequences  to  the
Corporation's  business,  operations  or financial  condition.  The  Corporation
expects that  remediation of these systems will be essentially  completed during
the third quarter of 1999.

In late 1996, the Corporation approved a project to implement an enterprise-wide
integrated  information  system to improve  process  efficiencies  in all of the
major functional  areas of the Corporation,  enabling the Corporation to provide
better  service  to  its  customers.  This  system  will  replace  most  of  the
transaction systems and applications  supporting  operations of the Corporation.
In addition to improving  efficiency and customer  service,  another  benefit of
this system is that it is year 2000  compliant and will address year 2000 issues
for approximately 80% of the Corporation's business applications software. As of
April 4, 1999,  approximately $69.0 million of capitalized software and hardware
and $7.8 million of expenses have been incurred for this project. As of April 4,
1999, spending for implementation of this system was approximately 70% complete,
with full  implementation  expected  during  the third  quarter  of 1999.  Total
commitments  for  this  system  and  subsequently  identified  enhancements  are
expected to be  approximately  $110  million  which will be  financed  with cash
provided from operations and short-term borrowings.

The  Corporation's  mainframe,  network and desktop  hardware and software  have
recently  been  upgraded  and  are  substantially   year  2000  compliant.   The
Corporation  is in the  process  of  remediating  year  2000  compliance  issues
associated with legacy information  systems not being replaced by the integrated
information system project,  including process automation and factory management
systems.  During late 1998, the Corporation undertook an extensive review of its
year 2000 remediation  program.  As a result of this review, the Corporation has
undertaken  additional  testing  to  confirm  its year 2000  compliance,  but is
otherwise  maintaining its current program of remediation.  As of April 4, 1999,
remediation  of both IT and  non-IT  systems  was  approximately  70%  complete,
reflecting the latest estimate of testing and work requirements to be performed.
The total cost of remediation of IT and non-IT systems not being replaced by the
integrated  information  system  project is  expected to be in the range of $6.0
million to $8.0 million.

The Corporation is also in the process of assessing year 2000 remediation issues
relating  to  its  major  business  partners.  All of  the  Corporation's  major
customers have been  contacted  regarding year 2000 issues related to electronic
data interchange. The Corporation is also in the process of contacting its major
suppliers  of  ingredients,   packaging,  facilities,  logistics  and  financial
services  with  regard  to  year  2000  issues.  Because  of  the  uncertainties
associated with assessing the ability of major business partners to complete the
remediation of their systems in time to prevent  operational  difficulties,  the
Corporation  will continue to contact and/or visit major customers and suppliers
to gain assurances that no significant  adverse  consequences will result due to
their failure to complete remediation of their systems.

                                       12
<PAGE>

Year 2000 remediation,  conversion,  validation and implementation is continuing
and,  at  the  present  time,  it is  expected  that  remediation  to  both  the
Corporation's IT and non-IT systems and those of major business partners will be
completed in time to prevent material adverse  consequences to the Corporation's
business,  operations or financial  condition.  However,  contingency  plans are
being developed, including possible increases in raw material and finished goods
inventory levels, and the identification of alternate vendors and suppliers. The
Corporation is  participating in  industry-wide  efforts to develop  contingency
plans which, to the extent feasible, may be relied upon to resolve any potential
failures resulting from year 2000 issues.

Forward Looking Information
- ---------------------------

The  nature of the  Corporation's  operations  and the  environment  in which it
operates  subject  it  to  changing   economic,   competitive,   regulatory  and
technological conditions, risks and uncertainties.  In connection with the "safe
harbor" provisions of the Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the
Corporation notes the following factors which, among others,  could cause future
results to differ materially from the forward-looking  statements,  expectations
and  assumptions  expressed  or  implied  herein.  Many of the  forward  looking
statements  contained  in  this  document  may  be  identified  by  the  use  of
forward-looking  words  such as  "believe,"  "expect,"  "anticipate,"  "should,"
"planned,"  "estimated," and "potential" among others. Factors which could cause
results to differ include,  but are not limited to: changes in the confectionery
and grocery business  environment,  including actions of competitors and changes
in consumer preferences; changes in governmental laws and regulations, including
income  taxes;  market  demand for new and existing  products;  and raw material
pricing.


                                       13
<PAGE>





                                    PART II

Items 2, 3 and 5 have been omitted as not applicable.

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings
- --------------------------

In  January  1999,  the  Corporation  received a Notice of  Proposed  Deficiency
(Notice)  from the  Internal  Revenue  Service  (IRS)  related to the years 1989
through 1996. The most  significant  issue pertains to the Corporate  Owned Life
Insurance  (COLI) program which was  implemented by the Corporation in 1989. The
IRS proposed the disallowance of interest expense deductions associated with the
underlying life insurance policies.  The Corporation  believes that it has fully
complied  with the tax law as it relates to its COLI  program.  The  Corporation
filed a protest of the proposed  deficiency  with the Appeals section of the IRS
in April 1999 and intends to vigorously defend its position on this matter.  The
Corporation has no other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary
routine litigation incidental to its business.

Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
- ------------------------------------------------------------

Hershey Foods Corporation's Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on April 27,
1999.  The following  directors  were elected by the holders of Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock, voting together without regard to class:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                  Name                                           Votes For               Votes Withheld
                  ----                                           ---------               --------------

<S>                                                              <C>                          <C>      
         William H. Alexander                                    399,503,497                  2,682,090
         Robert H. Campbell                                      399,824,047                  2,361,540
         C. McCollister Evarts, M.D.                             399,522,053                  2,663,534
         Bonnie Guiton Hill                                      399,781,550                  2,404,037
         John C. Jamison                                         399,807,997                  2,377,590
         Michael F. Pasquale                                     399,815,113                  2,370,474
         John M. Pietruski                                       399,794,709                  2,390,878
         Joseph P. Viviano                                       399,666,073                  2,519,514
         Kenneth L. Wolfe                                        399,710,371                  2,475,216

The following  directors  were elected by the holders of the Common Stock voting
as a class:

                  Name                                           Votes For               Votes Withheld
                  ----                                           ---------               --------------

         Allan Z. Loren                                           96,163,310                  2,423,997
         Mackey J. McDonald                                       96,167,278                  2,420,029
</TABLE>

Holders  of the  Common  Stock  and the  Class B Common  Stock  voting  together
approved  the  appointment  of Arthur  Andersen  LLP as the  independent  public
accountants for 1999.  Stockholders  cast 399,947,002 votes FOR the appointment,
1,791,904 votes AGAINST the appointment and ABSTAINED from casting 446,681 votes
on the appointment of accountants.

No other matters were submitted for stockholder action.

                                       14
<PAGE>


Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
- -----------------------------------------

a)       Exhibits
         --------

         The following items are attached and incorporated herein by reference:

         Exhibit 12 - Statement  showing  computation  of ratio of earnings to 
         fixed  charges for the quarters  ended April 4, 1999 and April 5, 1998.

         Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedule for the period ended April 4, 1999
         (required for electronic filing only).

b)       Reports on Form 8-K
         --------------------
         
         A report on Form 8-K was filed February 19, 1999 announcing the sale of
         the  Corporation's  pasta  business to New World Pasta and the Board of
         Director's  approval to  repurchase  $230 million of the  Corporation's
         Common Stock.

         A report on Form 8-K was filed March 2, 1999, announcing the repurchase
         of $100 million of its Common Stock from the Hershey Trust Company,  as
         Trustee of the Milton Hershey School Trust.

         A report on Form 8-K was  filed  April 23,  1999,  announcing  that the
         Corporation's  earnings  for the  first  quarter  of 1999  may be below
         market expectations.


                                       15
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.






                                                       HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
                                                       -------------------------
                                                             (Registrant)




Date   May 12, 1999                                 /s/ William F. Christ       
       ------------                                -----------------------------
                                                        William F. Christ
                                                        Senior Vice President,
                                                        Chief Financial Officer 
                                                        and Treasurer





Date   May 12, 1999                                 /s/ David W. Tacka          
       ------------                               ------------------------------
                                                        David W. Tacka
                                                        Corporate Controller and
                                                        Chief Accounting Officer


                                       16
<PAGE>




                                 EXHIBIT INDEX





Exhibit 12    -  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Exhibit 27    -  Financial Data Schedule for the period ended April 4, 1999
                 (required for electronic filing only)



                                       17
<PAGE>










                                                                     EXHIBIT 12

                            HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
                COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                   (in thousands of dollars except for ratios)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           For the Three Months Ended
                                                           --------------------------
                                                            April 4,       April 5,
                                                             1999           1998       
                                                           ---------      ---------
Earnings:

<S>                                                        <C>            <C>     
    Income before income taxes                             $341,579(a)    $123,660

    Add (deduct):

         Interest on indebtedness                            19,342         23,639
         Portion of rents representative of the
           interest factor (b)                                3,117          3,296
         Amortization of debt expense                           121            152
         Amortization of capitalized interest                   806            885
                                                           --------       --------

              Earnings as adjusted                         $364,965       $151,632
                                                           ========       ========

Fixed Charges:

         Interest on indebtedness                          $ 19,342       $ 23,639
         Portion of rents representative of the
           interest factor (b)                                3,117          3,296
         Amortization of debt expense                           121            152
         Capitalized interest                                   209            600
                                                           --------       --------

              Total fixed charges                          $ 22,789       $ 27,687
                                                           ========       ========

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                            16.01           5.48
                                                           ========       ========

</TABLE>

NOTE:

(a)  Includes a gain of $243.8 million on the sale of the  Corporation's  pasta
     business.

(b)  Portion  of  rents  representative  of the  interest  factor  consists  of
     one-third of rental expense for operating leases.

<PAGE>


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERSHEY
FOODS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF APRIL 4, 1999
AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 4, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000047111
<NAME> HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-04-1999
<CASH>                                          55,410
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  221,839<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    568,067
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,025,664
<PP&E>                                       2,503,207
<DEPRECIATION>                                 969,969
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,103,462
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          574,185
<BONDS>                                        879,095
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                       179,950
<OTHER-SE>                                     843,395
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,103,462
<SALES>                                        945,152
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               945,152
<CGS>                                          562,164
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  585,133<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,440
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                341,579
<INCOME-TAX>                                   116,909
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            224,670
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   224,670
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.57
<FN>
<F1>BALANCE IS NET OF RESERVES FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS AND CASH DISCOUNTS.
<F2>TOTAL INCLUDES A GAIN ON SALE OF BUSINESS OF $243,785.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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