Hershey's

HSY
3.2
Companies list

Public Statements Risk

4

CEO, Michele Buck, actively supports workplace initiatives and "democratizing the path to CEO." Based on social media, consumer discourse illustrates high levels of scrutiny and concern about fair pay, labor conditions, and equality in the company. Hershey's faced a child labor lawsuit in 2021 and a heavy metals in chocolate lawsuit in 2022. Additionally, conservatives were upset by a 2023 Canadian campaign for International Women's Day, which featured a transwoman on packaging.

Political Contributions Risk

3

Hershey's is the second most right-leaning brand in the Packaged Foods Industry. Its donation magnitude is in the middle of the Packaged Foods spectrum, with the majority of its donations coming from the company PAC.

Political Dichotomy Risk

4

Contributions are Republican-leaning. Hersey's has a large brand image, and the brand recognition for the name as well as its products are prominent. Hershey's consumer base is very politically diverse. Hersey's annual 10K discusses risks in maintaining positive brand image, which could be impacted by recent controversial marketing campaigns. Specifically, the 2023 International Women's Day campaign has already prompted some consumers to call for a boycott due to its feature of a transwoman. With the extremely high public awareness of Hershey's, they are at a medium to high risk of political boycott.

Associational Risk

1

Hershey's riskiest recipient of political contributions was Hillary Clinton, which happened many years ago. There is not much press surrounding Hershey's associations to be found outside of positive coverage including educational donations and support for feminist initiatives. They have an association with soccer player Christian Pulisic on Instagram.

Brand Visibility Risk

3

Hershey's is a product focused brand with high exposure, reinforced by prominent branding on all packaging. While visibility is high, consumers demand Hershey's for their iconic products, minimizing the role of brand integrity in sales and somewhat insulating the company from risk.

Political Hazard (pH) Ratings Explained

A corporation’s Political Hazard Rating, or pH rating, is an overall assessment of the corporation’s likelihood of facing a material consumer boycott or investor backlash from a controversy caused by the company’s or its executives’ political activities and proclivities. The pH ratings range from 1 to 5, with a higher rating correlating with higher risk. The categories below are the components considered when setting a company’s pH rating.

Public Statements Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and the corporations’ own prior public political statements, including their frequency and whether they have tended to be, or actually have been, controversial or high-profile.

Political Dichotomy Risk

Rates the corporation based on the dichotomy, if any, between the executives’ and/or corporations’ own prior political contributions or statements and the likely political leaning of the corporation’s consumer base.

Political Contributions Risk

Rates the corporation based on the magnitude of the executives’ and/or corporations’ total political contributions to politicians and PACs, benchmarked to sector, and the weighted nature of those contributions as between political parties.

Associational Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and/or the corporation’s own prior political contributions and/or public association with particularly controversial people or high-profile politicians or PACs.

Brand Visibility Risk

Rates the corporation's risk relative to sector with higher risk being associated with higher brand visibility

Hershey's

HSY
3.2
Companies list

Public Statements Risk

4

CEO, Michele Buck, actively supports workplace initiatives and "democratizing the path to CEO." Based on social media, consumer discourse illustrates high levels of scrutiny and concern about fair pay, labor conditions, and equality in the company. Hershey's faced a child labor lawsuit in 2021 and a heavy metals in chocolate lawsuit in 2022. Additionally, conservatives were upset by a 2023 Canadian campaign for International Women's Day, which featured a transwoman on packaging.

Political Contributions Risk

3

Hershey's is the second most right-leaning brand in the Packaged Foods Industry. Its donation magnitude is in the middle of the Packaged Foods spectrum, with the majority of its donations coming from the company PAC.

Political Dichotomy Risk

4

Contributions are Republican-leaning. Hersey's has a large brand image, and the brand recognition for the name as well as its products are prominent. Hershey's consumer base is very politically diverse. Hersey's annual 10K discusses risks in maintaining positive brand image, which could be impacted by recent controversial marketing campaigns. Specifically, the 2023 International Women's Day campaign has already prompted some consumers to call for a boycott due to its feature of a transwoman. With the extremely high public awareness of Hershey's, they are at a medium to high risk of political boycott.

Associational Risk

1

Hershey's riskiest recipient of political contributions was Hillary Clinton, which happened many years ago. There is not much press surrounding Hershey's associations to be found outside of positive coverage including educational donations and support for feminist initiatives. They have an association with soccer player Christian Pulisic on Instagram.

Brand Visibility Risk

3

Hershey's is a product focused brand with high exposure, reinforced by prominent branding on all packaging. While visibility is high, consumers demand Hershey's for their iconic products, minimizing the role of brand integrity in sales and somewhat insulating the company from risk.

Political Hazard (pH) Ratings Explained

A corporation’s Political Hazard Rating, or pH rating, is an overall assessment of the corporation’s likelihood of facing a material consumer boycott or investor backlash from a controversy caused by the company’s or its executives’ political activities and proclivities. The pH ratings range from 1 to 5, with a higher rating correlating with higher risk. The categories below are the components considered when setting a company’s pH rating.

Public Statements Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and the corporations’ own prior public political statements, including their frequency and whether they have tended to be, or actually have been, controversial or high-profile.

Political Dichotomy Risk

Rates the corporation based on the dichotomy, if any, between the executives’ and/or corporations’ own prior political contributions or statements and the likely political leaning of the corporation’s consumer base.

Political Contributions Risk

Rates the corporation based on the magnitude of the executives’ and/or corporations’ total political contributions to politicians and PACs, benchmarked to sector, and the weighted nature of those contributions as between political parties.

Associational Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and/or the corporation’s own prior political contributions and/or public association with particularly controversial people or high-profile politicians or PACs.

Brand Visibility Risk

Rates the corporation's risk relative to sector with higher risk being associated with higher brand visibility

Hershey's

HSY
3.2
Companies list

Public Statements Risk

4

CEO, Michele Buck, actively supports workplace initiatives and "democratizing the path to CEO." Based on social media, consumer discourse illustrates high levels of scrutiny and concern about fair pay, labor conditions, and equality in the company. Hershey's faced a child labor lawsuit in 2021 and a heavy metals in chocolate lawsuit in 2022. Additionally, conservatives were upset by a 2023 Canadian campaign for International Women's Day, which featured a transwoman on packaging.

Political Contributions Risk

3

Hershey's is the second most right-leaning brand in the Packaged Foods Industry. Its donation magnitude is in the middle of the Packaged Foods spectrum, with the majority of its donations coming from the company PAC.

Political Dichotomy Risk

4

Contributions are Republican-leaning. Hersey's has a large brand image, and the brand recognition for the name as well as its products are prominent. Hershey's consumer base is very politically diverse. Hersey's annual 10K discusses risks in maintaining positive brand image, which could be impacted by recent controversial marketing campaigns. Specifically, the 2023 International Women's Day campaign has already prompted some consumers to call for a boycott due to its feature of a transwoman. With the extremely high public awareness of Hershey's, they are at a medium to high risk of political boycott.

Associational Risk

1

Hershey's riskiest recipient of political contributions was Hillary Clinton, which happened many years ago. There is not much press surrounding Hershey's associations to be found outside of positive coverage including educational donations and support for feminist initiatives. They have an association with soccer player Christian Pulisic on Instagram.

Brand Visibility Risk

3

Hershey's is a product focused brand with high exposure, reinforced by prominent branding on all packaging. While visibility is high, consumers demand Hershey's for their iconic products, minimizing the role of brand integrity in sales and somewhat insulating the company from risk.

Political Hazard (pH) Ratings Explained

A corporation’s Political Hazard Rating, or pH rating, is an overall assessment of the corporation’s likelihood of facing a material consumer boycott or investor backlash from a controversy caused by the company’s or its executives’ political activities and proclivities. The pH ratings range from 1 to 5, with a higher rating correlating with higher risk. The categories below are the components considered when setting a company’s pH rating.

Public Statements Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and the corporations’ own prior public political statements, including their frequency and whether they have tended to be, or actually have been, controversial or high-profile.

Political Dichotomy Risk

Rates the corporation based on the dichotomy, if any, between the executives’ and/or corporations’ own prior political contributions or statements and the likely political leaning of the corporation’s consumer base.

Political Contributions Risk

Rates the corporation based on the magnitude of the executives’ and/or corporations’ total political contributions to politicians and PACs, benchmarked to sector, and the weighted nature of those contributions as between political parties.

Associational Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and/or the corporation’s own prior political contributions and/or public association with particularly controversial people or high-profile politicians or PACs.

Brand Visibility Risk

Rates the corporation's risk relative to sector with higher risk being associated with higher brand visibility

Hershey's

HSY
3.2
Companies list

Public Statements Risk

4

CEO, Michele Buck, actively supports workplace initiatives and "democratizing the path to CEO." Based on social media, consumer discourse illustrates high levels of scrutiny and concern about fair pay, labor conditions, and equality in the company. Hershey's faced a child labor lawsuit in 2021 and a heavy metals in chocolate lawsuit in 2022. Additionally, conservatives were upset by a 2023 Canadian campaign for International Women's Day, which featured a transwoman on packaging.

Political Contributions Risk

3

Hershey's is the second most right-leaning brand in the Packaged Foods Industry. Its donation magnitude is in the middle of the Packaged Foods spectrum, with the majority of its donations coming from the company PAC.

Political Dichotomy Risk

4

Contributions are Republican-leaning. Hersey's has a large brand image, and the brand recognition for the name as well as its products are prominent. Hershey's consumer base is very politically diverse. Hersey's annual 10K discusses risks in maintaining positive brand image, which could be impacted by recent controversial marketing campaigns. Specifically, the 2023 International Women's Day campaign has already prompted some consumers to call for a boycott due to its feature of a transwoman. With the extremely high public awareness of Hershey's, they are at a medium to high risk of political boycott.

Associational Risk

1

Hershey's riskiest recipient of political contributions was Hillary Clinton, which happened many years ago. There is not much press surrounding Hershey's associations to be found outside of positive coverage including educational donations and support for feminist initiatives. They have an association with soccer player Christian Pulisic on Instagram.

Brand Visibility Risk

3

Hershey's is a product focused brand with high exposure, reinforced by prominent branding on all packaging. While visibility is high, consumers demand Hershey's for their iconic products, minimizing the role of brand integrity in sales and somewhat insulating the company from risk.

Political Hazard (pH) Ratings Explained

A corporation’s Political Hazard Rating, or pH rating, is an overall assessment of the corporation’s likelihood of facing a material consumer boycott or investor backlash from a controversy caused by the company’s or its executives’ political activities and proclivities. The pH ratings range from 1 to 5, with a higher rating correlating with higher risk. The categories below are the components considered when setting a company’s pH rating.

Public Statements Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and the corporations’ own prior public political statements, including their frequency and whether they have tended to be, or actually have been, controversial or high-profile.

Political Dichotomy Risk

Rates the corporation based on the dichotomy, if any, between the executives’ and/or corporations’ own prior political contributions or statements and the likely political leaning of the corporation’s consumer base.

Political Contributions Risk

Rates the corporation based on the magnitude of the executives’ and/or corporations’ total political contributions to politicians and PACs, benchmarked to sector, and the weighted nature of those contributions as between political parties.

Associational Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and/or the corporation’s own prior political contributions and/or public association with particularly controversial people or high-profile politicians or PACs.

Brand Visibility Risk

Rates the corporation's risk relative to sector with higher risk being associated with higher brand visibility

Hershey's

HSY
3.2
Companies list

Public Statements Risk

4

CEO, Michele Buck, actively supports workplace initiatives and "democratizing the path to CEO." Based on social media, consumer discourse illustrates high levels of scrutiny and concern about fair pay, labor conditions, and equality in the company. Hershey's faced a child labor lawsuit in 2021 and a heavy metals in chocolate lawsuit in 2022. Additionally, conservatives were upset by a 2023 Canadian campaign for International Women's Day, which featured a transwoman on packaging.

Political Contributions Risk

3

Hershey's is the second most right-leaning brand in the Packaged Foods Industry. Its donation magnitude is in the middle of the Packaged Foods spectrum, with the majority of its donations coming from the company PAC.

Political Dichotomy Risk

4

Contributions are Republican-leaning. Hersey's has a large brand image, and the brand recognition for the name as well as its products are prominent. Hershey's consumer base is very politically diverse. Hersey's annual 10K discusses risks in maintaining positive brand image, which could be impacted by recent controversial marketing campaigns. Specifically, the 2023 International Women's Day campaign has already prompted some consumers to call for a boycott due to its feature of a transwoman. With the extremely high public awareness of Hershey's, they are at a medium to high risk of political boycott.

Associational Risk

1

Hershey's riskiest recipient of political contributions was Hillary Clinton, which happened many years ago. There is not much press surrounding Hershey's associations to be found outside of positive coverage including educational donations and support for feminist initiatives. They have an association with soccer player Christian Pulisic on Instagram.

Brand Visibility Risk

3

Hershey's is a product focused brand with high exposure, reinforced by prominent branding on all packaging. While visibility is high, consumers demand Hershey's for their iconic products, minimizing the role of brand integrity in sales and somewhat insulating the company from risk.

Political Hazard (pH) Ratings Explained

A corporation’s Political Hazard Rating, or pH rating, is an overall assessment of the corporation’s likelihood of facing a material consumer boycott or investor backlash from a controversy caused by the company’s or its executives’ political activities and proclivities. The pH ratings range from 1 to 5, with a higher rating correlating with higher risk. The categories below are the components considered when setting a company’s pH rating.

Public Statements Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and the corporations’ own prior public political statements, including their frequency and whether they have tended to be, or actually have been, controversial or high-profile.

Political Dichotomy Risk

Rates the corporation based on the dichotomy, if any, between the executives’ and/or corporations’ own prior political contributions or statements and the likely political leaning of the corporation’s consumer base.

Political Contributions Risk

Rates the corporation based on the magnitude of the executives’ and/or corporations’ total political contributions to politicians and PACs, benchmarked to sector, and the weighted nature of those contributions as between political parties.

Associational Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and/or the corporation’s own prior political contributions and/or public association with particularly controversial people or high-profile politicians or PACs.

Brand Visibility Risk

Rates the corporation's risk relative to sector with higher risk being associated with higher brand visibility

See this company on INDEXALIGN

Read the reports of these top S&P 500 companies

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

AB InBev

AT&T

Adobe

Advance Auto Parts

Alphabet

Amazon

American Express

Apple

AutoZone

Bath & Body Works

Best Buy

Biogen

Brown Forman

CVS

Caesar's

Campbell

CarMax

Carnival

Charter

Chipotle

Clorox

Coke

Colgate Palmolive

Comcast

Constellation Brands

Costco

Digital Realty

Disney

Dollar General

Dollar Tree

Domino's

EA

Equinix

Estee Lauder

Etsy

Expedia

FedEx

First Energy

Ford

Fox

Garmin

General Mills

General Motors

Hasbro

Hershey's

Hilton

Home Depot

Hormel

Intuit

JM Smucker

JP Morgan

Keurig Dr. Pepper

Kraft Heinz

Kroger

Las Vegas Sands

Lowe's

MGM Resorts

Marriott

McCormick

McDonald's

Meta

Microsoft

Moderna

Molson Coors

Monster

Motorola

Netflix

Nike

Norwegian Cruise

Nvidia

Oracle

Paramount

Pepsi

Pfizer

Procter & Gamble

Ralph Lauren

Ross

Royal Caribbean

Salesforce

Starbucks

Sysco

T-Mobile

TJX

Take Two

Tapestry

Target

Tesla

Tyson

UPS

Ulta

United Airlines

VF Corp

Verizon

Walgreens

Walmart

Warner Bros. Discovery

Waste Management

Wynn

Yum!

eBay

“As a political data company, we are uniquely positioned to measure a company’s pH.” Abigail Wuest, CEO