UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K Current Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 July 24, 2019 Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its charter) Virginia (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) 001-01361 (Commission File Number) 22-1318955 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) 773-838-3400 (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) Not Applicable (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: [__] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) [__] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) [__] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [__] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION. On July 24, 2019, Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. issued a press release (the "release") announcing its results of operations and financial condition for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019. A copy of the release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference. The information in the release and in this Item 2.02 is "furnished" and not "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Such information may only be incorporated by reference in another filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the Securities Act of 1933 only if and to the extent such subsequent filing specifically references such information. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (c) The following exhibit is furnished with this report: Exhibit 99.1 Press Release of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., dated July 24, 2019. SIGNATURE 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 under-signed thereunto duly authorized. July 24, 2019 TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC. By: /S/G. HOWARD EMBER, JR. G. Howard Ember, Jr. Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Description 99.1 Press Release of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., dated July 24, 2019. EXHIBIT 99.1 Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. 7401 South Cicero Avenue Chicago, IL 60629 Phone 773/838-3400 Fax 773/838-3534 Press Release STOCK TRADED: NYSE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TICKER SYMBOL: TR WEDNESDAY, July 24, 2019 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - July 24, 2019 - Ellen R. Gordon, Chairman, Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. reported second quarter and first half 2019 net sales and net earnings. Second quarter 2018 net sales were $106,021,000 compared to $105,623,000 in second quarter 2019, an increase of $398,000. Second quarter 2019 net earnings were $11,556,000 compared to $10,489,000 in second quarter 2018, and net earnings per share were $.18 and $.16 in second quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively, an increase of $.02 or 12%. First half 2019 net sales were $207,040,000 compared to $206,482,000 in first half 2018, an increase of $558,000. First half 2019 net earnings were $20,511,000 compared to $18,614,000 in first half 2018, and net earnings per share were $.31 and $.28 in first half 2019 and 2018, respectively, an increase of $.03 per share or 11%. Mrs. Gordon said, "Second quarter and first half 2019 net sales include increases in domestic sales of approximately 2% and 1%, respectively. Lower foreign sales adversely affected reported consolidated sales in both second quarter and first half 2019 compared to the corresponding periods in 2018. Foreign sales were unfavorably impacted by the timing of certain sales in the comparative periods as well as a stronger U.S. dollar and the related translation of foreign sales. Second quarter and first half 2019 net earnings benefited from higher price realization which allowed the Company to recover some product margin decline resulting from increasing input costs. Less favorable foreign exchange adversely affected results in both second quarter and first half 2019 compared to the prior year corresponding periods, however, decreases in legal and professional fees contributed to the improved results in second quarter and first half 2019. The Company is continuing its investments in its plant manufacturing operations to meet new consumer and customer demands, achieve quality improvements, and increase operational efficiencies. Plant efficiencies driven by capital investments and ongoing cost containment programs contributed to the improved results discussed above. The prior year 2018 results were adversely affected by the implementation and start-up of new manufacturing packaging lines and resulting operational inefficiencies as well as unfavorable experience from Company self-insurance programs. The Company's effective income tax rate was 25.8% and 23.7% in second quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively, and 25.2% and 22.9% in first half 2019 and 2018, respectively. These higher tax rates in 2019 principally reflect higher state and foreign income tax expense, including the effects of certain international tax provisions relating to U.S. tax reform legislation that became effective at the beginning of 2018. Earnings per share benefited from stock purchases in the open market resulting in fewer shares outstanding in both second quarter and first half 2019." TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF SALES & EARNINGS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 & 2018 SECOND QUARTER ENDED 2019 2018 Net Product Sales $ 106,021,000 $ 105,623,000 Net Earnings $ 11,556,000 $ 10,489,000 Net Earnings Per Share * $ .18 $ .16 Average Shares Outstanding * 65,559,000 66,104,000 SIX MONTHS ENDED 2019 2018 Net Product Sales $ 207,040,000 $ 206,482,000 Net Earnings $ 20,511,000 $ 18,614,000 Net Earnings Per Share * $ .31 $ .28 Average Shares Outstanding * 65,722,000 66,232,000 *Based on average shares outstanding adjusted for 3% stock dividends distributed April 05, 2019 and April 06, 2018.