The Kraft Heinz CompanyNasdaq: KHC
Consumer Staples · Packaged Foods & Meats
$22.53
-0.60%
Vol: 11.3M
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Kraft Heinz cancels breakup plan; new CEO abandons split to invest $600M in marketing
Kraft Heinz CEO Steve Cahillane canceled planned company breakup and announced $600M reinvestment in marketing and product development to reverse declining sales. 2025 revenue fell 3.5% to $24.9B, marking third consecutive year of decline. Stock down 26% over past year with dividend yield now ~7.28%. Multiple analysts lowered price targets (Piper Sandler to $24, Mizuho to $25, UBS to $23). Consensus Hold with 22 Hold, 0 Buy, 6 Sell ratings.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Kraft Heinz scheduled to report Q1 2026 earnings on May 6; CEO Steve Cahillane backs away from company breakup plan.Neutral▶
Kraft Heinz will release Q1 2026 financial results on May 6, 2026, before market open with earnings expectations of $0.50 EPS, a 19.4% decline. New CEO Steve Cahillane has backed the company away from the previous breakup plan and paused related separation work, eliminating planned dis-synergies for 2026. The company participated in Rethinking Materials 2026 in London (April 28-29) highlighting packaging innovation efforts with Polytag. Kraft Heinz faces challenges including high debt, competitive pricing pressures, and weak consumer spending. Analyst consensus is Hold with a $25 price target reflecting a 10x 2026 earnings multiple versus prior 11x estimate.
Apr 29Kraft Heinz abandons 2025 breakup plan under new CEO Cahillane; reports 2025 revenue decline of 3.5% to $24.9BNegative▶
Kraft Heinz has reversed its prior breakup plan announced in September, with new CEO Steve Cahillane backing away from separation. Q4 2025 EPS of $0.67 beat estimates of $0.61 by 9.84%, but company faces challenging environment with Q1 EPS expected to decline 19.35%. 2025 revenue declined 3.5% to $24.9 billion, marking third consecutive year of falling sales. Company investing $600 million in marketing and R&D turnaround. Berkshire Hathaway stated no plans to sell equity stake.
Apr 16Kraft Heinz abandons two-company split plan, invests $600M in marketing and product development amid volume challenges.Negative▶
Kraft Heinz abandoned its previously announced plan to separate into two independent companies, choosing instead to invest $600 million in marketing and product development. The decision follows disappointing volume trends and analyst downgrades, including JPMorgan lowering its rating to Underweight with a $22 price target. The company appointed Nicolas Amaya as President of North America on February 18, 2026. Kraft Heinz launched Kraft Mac & Cheese Restaurant Edition and Ore-Ida marketing campaigns. CEO Steve Cahillane acknowledged the company became too lean after cost cuts over the past decade. Analysts project a 19.4% EPS decline for 2026. The company maintains a 7.2% dividend yield and will report Q1 2026 earnings on May 6, 2026. Average analyst rating is Hold with a $24.88 12-month price target.
Apr 15Kraft Heinz shelves planned company breakup and commits $600M to commercial growth; BTIG initiates Neutral coverage.Negative▶
Kraft Heinz cancelled its proposed company breakup after ending merger discussions with Unilever. The company committed $600 million to commercial growth as organic sales have declined nine consecutive quarters. BTIG analyst Rob Dickerson initiated coverage with Neutral rating on April 14. Analysts expect Q1 2026 EPS of $0.50 (down 19.35%). Consensus rating is Hold with $24.88 price target.
Apr 14Kraft Heinz faces continued downgrades with BNP Paribas cutting target to $18; JPMorgan Underweight at $22.Negative▶
JPMorgan downgraded to Underweight with $22 target. BNP Paribas lowered target to $18 from $19 on April 9. Company refocusing strategy with $600 million marketing investment. Q1 2026 results due May 6 with EPS projected at $0.50 (down 19.35% YoY). Consensus remains Hold with average target $24.88.
Apr 13Kraft Heinz abandons spin-off plans, cancels Unilever merger talks, pivots to $600M turnaround in marketing/R&D under new CEO Steve Cahillane.Negative▶
Kraft Heinz shelved breakup strategy and quietly ended merger talks with Unilever, shifting focus to core business turnaround. New CEO Steve Cahillane committed $600M in marketing and product development. Challenges persist: organic sales down nine consecutive quarters, margins compressed, volumes shrinking. Berkshire Hathaway reassessing investment. Nicolas Amaya appointed President, North America.
Apr 10Kraft Heinz Abandons Split Plans, Pivots to $600M Marketing InvestmentNegative▶
Pausing company split plans. Investing $600M in marketing under new CEO Steve Cahillane. JPMorgan downgraded to Underweight at $22.
Apr 9Kraft Heinz Launches High-Protein Mac & Cheese and New Capri Sun Variant Amid Mixed Analyst SentimentNeutral▶
Kraft Heinz announced product initiatives including a new high-protein Kraft Mac & Cheese, snack-size Lunchables, and low-sugar electrolyte Capri Sun. The stock gained 2.33% to $22.79, outperforming the S&P 500. UBS lowered its price target from $25.00 to $23.00 while maintaining a Neutral rating. The company ended preliminary merger talks with Unilever and shelved a planned break-up to reinvest in core brands. JELL-OMETER debuted at the New York Islanders game on April 3, 2026, as part of fan engagement initiatives.
Apr 8UBS lowers price target to $23 amid operational challenges and canceled company split.Negative▶
Kraft Heinz canceled planned breakup after ending Unilever merger talks. UBS lowered PT to $23 with Neutral. Closing factories in New Zealand impacting 350 jobs.
Apr 7Kraft Heinz reverses planned company breakup; stock down on restructuring uncertainty.Neutral▶
Kraft Heinz cancelled its planned separation into two independent companies after ending merger talks with Unilever. The decision creates uncertainty for investors, though the company maintains plans for a $600 million brand revitalization and investment in healthier products. Operational challenges persist including factory closures in New Zealand impacting 350 jobs. Analyst consensus remains at Hold with $25.38 price target.
Apr 6Kraft Heinz invests $600M in product modernization amid strategic pivot from failed split.Mixed▶
Kraft Heinz scrapped planned split in February 2026, signaling new direction with $600 million investment in brand modernization. New versions of Kraft Mac & Cheese with added nutrients, Capri Sun sugar reduction, and Kool-Aid electrolytes are rolling out to gain market share. CEO Steve Cahillane said the company got "too lean" after decade of budget cuts. JPMorgan cut price target to $21 from $22 on March 25, while Deutsche Bank lowered target to $20 from $23. Stock closed at $22.49, up 0.67%.
Apr 3Kraft Heinz cancels planned company breakup under new CEO Steve Cahillane, focusing instead on core business turnaround with strategic product innovations.Mixed▶
Kraft Heinz's new CEO Steve Cahillane shelved plans to split the company and redirected toward fixing the core business. The company is pursuing product innovations including new nutrient-enriched Kraft Mac & Cheese and lower-sugar Capri Sun. Full-year 2025 net sales declined 3.5% to $24.9 billion. Kraft Heinz entered a five-year global NFL partnership.
Apr 2Kraft Heinz launches PowerMac with 17g protein; scraps planned breakup, invests $600M in core business stabilizationMixed▶
Kraft Heinz announced significant product innovation under new CEO Steve Cahillane, including PowerMac bolstered Mac & Cheese with 17g protein and 6g fiber ($2.99), Capri Sun sugar reduction entering sports drinks, and Kool-Aid electrolyte enhancement. Company abandoned planned breakup in February and committed $600 million to stabilize core business. JPMorgan lowered price target to $21 from $22 on March 25; Deutsche Bank cut to $20 from $23 on March 30. Stock down 10% over past month.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDLZMONDELEZ | $61.40 | -0.07% | +5.2% | 18.3x | 0.39 | $78.9B |
| HSYHERSHEY | $182.63 | -1.68% | -10.7% | 18.8x | 0.17 | $37.6B |
| KHCKRAFT | $22.53 | -0.60% | -3.9% | 10.6x | 0.05 | $26.8B |
| TSNTYSON | $63.84 | -0.36% | -0.7% | 14.6x | 0.43 | $22.6B |
| GISGENERAL | $34.83 | -1.37% | -6.3% | 10.7x | — | $18.8B |
| MKCMCCORMICK | $50.38 | -0.91% | +0.1% | 15.2x | 0.71 | $13.7B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.