As Berkshire Exits Its Kraft Heinz Position, Is the Stock a Sell?

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO Greg Abel has initiated the sale of its nearly 28% stake in Kraft Heinz, which amounts to approximately 325 million shares, following a poor performance of KHC shares in 2025 and a decline of over 3% at the start of the year [1] Company Performance - Kraft Heinz has consistently met earnings expectations since Q4 2018, but profitability remains a concern as evidenced by a significant loss of over $7.8 billion in Q2 2025, primarily due to a $9.3 billion non-cash impairment charge and declining sales driven by inflation [2][3] - The company is burdened with over $19 billion in long-term debt as of Q3 2025, which is significantly higher than its cash position of $2.1 billion, indicating financial strain [4] Market Conditions - A weak labor market and shifting consumer preferences have led consumers to favor private-label products over brand names, impacting Kraft Heinz's sales [5] Strategic Changes - Kraft Heinz plans to split into two independent companies by the second half of 2026, focusing on different product lines: Global Taste Elevation Co. for sauces and condiments, and North American Grocery Co. for meals and snacks [6] - The split has faced criticism, including from Warren Buffett, due to the lack of a shareholder vote on the decision [7] Financial Health - Kraft Heinz is expected to report revenue contraction for the ninth consecutive quarter, contributing to a negative net margin of 17.35%, indicating that expenses exceed earnings [8] - The company's dividend payout ratio is nearly -43%, suggesting insufficient earnings to cover dividend payments, which may lead to future cuts despite an attractive yield of 6.59% [9] Analyst Sentiment - Analyst sentiment towards Kraft Heinz is generally negative, with only one out of 23 analysts rating it a Buy, while 17 rate it a Hold and five rate it a Sell, resulting in a consensus Reduce rating [10] - The average 12-month price target for Kraft Heinz shares is $26.16, indicating a potential upside of just over 11% from current levels, with the company ranking 73rd out of 149 in the consumer staples sector [11] Ownership and Short Interest - Institutional ownership remains strong at over 78%, but this is expected to decline following Berkshire Hathaway's sale of its shares [12] - Current short interest stands at 4.37%, indicating that bearish sentiment exists among investors anticipating further downside [12]