Summary of Kraft Heinz Company Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Kraft Heinz Company - **Key Executives**: Carlos Abrams Rivera (CEO), Andre Maciel (CFO) Industry Context - **Consumer Health**: The year has been challenging for many companies, with unexpected pressures on consumer health due to high interest rates and inflation affecting various socioeconomic classes [5][6] - **Market Dynamics**: The company is focusing on providing value to consumers amidst economic pressures, emphasizing the importance of quality products at affordable prices [6][7] Core Business Insights - **Brand Growth System**: Kraft Heinz is implementing a proprietary system to enhance product quality, packaging, and marketing, aiming to better meet consumer needs [9][10] - **Product Innovations**: Introduction of family-sized mac and cheese packs priced at $2 to cater to families seeking value [11] - **Market Strategy**: The company is diversifying its channels, moving towards stadiums and leisure venues to improve margins and reduce reliance on restaurants [12] Financial Strategy - **Strategic Transactions**: The company is evaluating potential strategic transactions to unlock shareholder value, believing its stock is currently undervalued [14] - **Investment Focus**: Kraft Heinz plans to invest approximately $300 million in pricing strategies to maintain competitiveness without relying heavily on promotions [16][17] - **Marketing Investment**: The marketing budget is set to reach 4.8% of net sales, the highest in over a decade, to support product quality and communication [22] Operational Efficiency - **Productivity Initiatives**: The company has made significant investments in supply chain efficiency, technology, and marketing effectiveness, leading to improved ROI on promotions [53][54] - **Sustainability Efforts**: Kraft Heinz is reducing food waste in factories by 40% through improved operational practices [59] Regulatory Environment - **Government Regulations**: The company is proactively addressing potential regulations regarding artificial colors and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) exposure, with a significant portion of its portfolio already compliant [66][70] Future Outlook - **Stabilization and Growth**: The company views 2025 as a year of stabilization, with ambitions for growth in 2026 and a return to performance targets in 2027 [74][76] - **Commitment to Investment**: Despite challenges, Kraft Heinz is committed to investing in its brands and operations to navigate the current market landscape [78] Additional Insights - **Employee Engagement**: The company has seen high employee engagement levels, indicating a strong internal culture focused on efficiency and ownership [72] - **Consumer Trends**: There is a bifurcation in consumer behavior, with premium products growing while value-seeking consumers are also significant [19] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the Kraft Heinz Company conference call, highlighting the company's strategies, market conditions, and future outlook.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has maintained a strong balance sheet over the past five years, aligning short and long-term incentives with shareholder value creation and maintaining a disciplined capital allocation policy [19][20] - The company reported a dividend of $0.40 per share and authorized a $3 billion share repurchase program through December 2026, indicating a focus on returning value to shareholders [59] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Emerging Markets, the company has achieved a 7% CAGR in top-line growth from 2022 to 2024, with nearly 175,000 new distribution points added since implementing the go-to-market model [8] - The North America Retail segment is facing challenges, but the company is prioritizing brands under pressure, such as Lunchables and Capri Sun, with new product innovations and marketing campaigns [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. Away from Home market is experiencing a slowdown, but the company is expanding its footprint and growing beyond ketchup, with partnerships like those with the Chicago Cubs and Hilton Hotels [9][10] - The company has consistently grown market share in the U.S. from 2021 to 2024, adding 16,000 new distribution points globally in Q1 of the current year [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three strategic pillars: North America Retail, Global Away From Home, and Emerging Markets, with an emphasis on sustainable growth and brand investment [7][14] - The company aims to innovate and evolve its product offerings to meet consumer preferences, including gluten-free and dairy-free options, while maintaining a commitment to quality [16][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges market pressures but expresses confidence in the company's strategic direction and the strength of its brands [7][24] - The company anticipates inflation of 5% to 7% in 2025, primarily driven by commodity costs, and is embedding this into its guidance [55] Other Important Information - The company has achieved its highest employee engagement scores ever in 2024 and has been recognized as a great place to work in 22 countries [21][22] - The company has won multiple awards for its marketing campaigns, indicating a strong focus on creative excellence and brand building [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Will Kraft Heinz commit to establishing new nutrition targets using recognized models? - The company acknowledges the lack of a globally aligned nutrition profile model but has established its own guidelines and is reviewing external models [52][53] Question: Is it a good time for acquisitions given the depressed stock prices in the food industry? - The company is always looking for portfolio management opportunities and has a strong balance sheet, but will maintain financial discipline in any actions taken [54][55] Question: Will Kraft Heinz reconsider commitments regarding cage-free eggs? - The company stands by its commitment to globally source cage-free eggs while working with suppliers to improve sourcing options [57][58] Question: When can shareholders expect a dividend increase? - The company recently declared a dividend of $0.40 per share and believes the share repurchase program provides better opportunities for returning value to shareholders [59] Question: Why is the stock price not performing well, and what is being done to correct it? - The company believes it is currently undervalued and is focused on executing its plans for 2025 and beyond to create opportunities for investors [60]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic net sales declined by 4.7% year-over-year, with price up 0.9 percentage points and volume mix down 5.6 percentage points [42] - Adjusted operating income decreased by 5.2%, while adjusted operating income margin increased by 30 basis points due to strong performance in emerging markets [44] - Free cash flow conversion improved by 9 percentage points year-over-year, reaching 65% [49] - Adjusted EPS declined by 10.1% to $0.62, impacted by a higher effective tax rate [49][57] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America organic net sales declined by 6.5%, with growth in Canada offset by lower sales in U.S. retail and away from home [42] - International developed markets saw a 1.7% decline in organic net sales, primarily due to a slowdown in the UK [43] - Emerging markets experienced a 3.9% increase in organic net sales, driven by recovery in Brazil [43][32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. away from home market faced challenges due to declining traffic, impacting total U.S. away from home business [14][31] - Emerging markets showed strong growth, with Heinz brand sales in these markets reaching over $1 billion [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on unlocking efficiencies and reinvesting in the business to drive brand and product growth [9][11] - A commitment to continuous improvement is emphasized, with a goal to unlock $2.5 billion in gross efficiencies by 2027 [10] - The brand growth system is being expanded to cover 40% of sales by year-end, up from 10% in 2024 [11][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged pressures from inflation and tariffs, leading to a revised outlook for organic net sales and operating income [7][54] - The company expects organic net sales to decline between 1.5% to 3.5% for the full year, reflecting worsening consumer sentiment [54][55] - Management remains optimistic about emerging markets, anticipating double-digit growth by the end of 2025 [43][54] Other Important Information - The company returned nearly $900 million to shareholders year-to-date, maintaining a net leverage target of approximately 3x [52] - Significant marketing investments are planned for 2025, with a focus on optimizing media spend and driving better returns [47] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for organic net sales in 2025? - The company has lowered its expectations for organic net sales to a range of down 1.5% to down 3.5% due to macroeconomic challenges [54] Question: How is the company addressing inflation and cost pressures? - The company is increasing investments in pricing and optimizing marketing spend to support brands and mitigate inflation impacts [46][55] Question: What is the outlook for emerging markets? - Emerging markets are expected to continue growing, with a target of reaching double-digit growth by the fourth quarter of 2025 [43][54]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic net sales declined by 4.7% year-over-year, with price up 0.9 percentage points and volume mix down 5.6 percentage points [42] - Adjusted operating income decreased by 5.2%, while adjusted operating income margin increased by 30 basis points due to strong performance in emerging markets [44] - Free cash flow conversion improved by 9 percentage points year-over-year, reaching 65% [49] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America organic net sales declined by 6.5%, impacted by lower sales in U.S. retail and away from home [42] - Emerging markets saw organic net sales growth of 3.9%, an improvement from 2.2% in the previous quarter [43] - Adjusted operating income in North America decreased by 9.4%, while in emerging markets, it increased by 20.3% [44][45] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. away from home market faced a downturn due to economic uncertainty, with traffic declining across the sector [29][31] - International developed markets experienced a 1.7% decline in organic net sales, primarily due to weakening consumer sentiment in the UK [43] - Emerging markets are expected to reach double-digit growth by the fourth quarter of 2025 [43] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on unlocking efficiencies and reinvesting in the business to drive brand and product growth [9][11] - A commitment to continuous improvement is emphasized, with a goal to unlock $2.5 billion in gross efficiencies by 2027 [10] - The brand growth system is being expanded to cover 40% of sales by year-end, up from 10% in 2024 [11][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged pressures from inflation and tariffs, impacting consumer sentiment and business operations [6][60] - The company has lowered its organic net sales expectations for 2025, now anticipating a decline of 1.5% to 3.5% [53][54] - Future guidance reflects increased costs and a wider range of uncertainty due to macroeconomic dynamics [55] Other Important Information - The company returned nearly $900 million to shareholders year-to-date, maintaining a net leverage target of approximately 3x [52] - Adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $2.51 to $2.67, reflecting changes in organic net sales and operating income estimates [56] - The company is investing in strategic areas, including marketing efficiency and brand support, to drive growth [47] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for organic net sales in 2025? - The company now expects organic net sales to decline by 1.5% to 3.5%, a revision from previous expectations of flat to down 2.5% [53][54] Question: How is the company addressing inflation and consumer sentiment challenges? - The company is focusing on unlocking efficiencies, optimizing marketing spend, and increasing investments in pricing to support brands [46][60] Question: What is the outlook for emerging markets? - Emerging markets are expected to continue growing, with a target of reaching double-digit growth by the fourth quarter of 2025 [43]