** Shares of Hershey HSY.N up ~4% at $152 premarket

** Co beat Q4 sales estimates on strong demand in North American salty foods segment

** Posts Q4 sales of $2.89 billion vs estimates of $2.84 billion and adjusted EPS of $2.69 vs expectations of $2.37 - data compiled by LSEG

** However, co forecasts 2025 adjusted EPS between $6 and $6.18, below expectations of $7.34, due to rising cocoa prices

** The bleak annual profit guidance follows a similar forecast from peer Mondelez MDLZ.O

** HSY fell ~9% in 2024

(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru)

((Neil.JKanatt@thomsonreuters.com;))