Zacks Research Forecasts Stronger Earnings for Kraft Heinz

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its Q2 2026 EPS estimate for Kraft Heinz to $0.53 from $0.51, indicating slightly stronger earnings expectations. The firm still maintains a Hold rating on the stock.
• Kraft Heinz beat earnings and revenue estimates in its latest quarterly report, posting EPS of $0.58 versus the $0.50 consensus and revenue of $6.05 billion versus $5.89 billion expected. The company also reaffirmed FY 2026 guidance of 1.98 to 2.10 EPS.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share, equal to a 6.8% annualized yield. Kraft Heinz is also advancing debt refinancing and launching new products, including reformulated Jell-O and lactose-free Kraft Natural Cheese, to support growth.

Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q2 2026 EPS estimates for shares of Kraft Heinz in a report issued on Wednesday, May 20th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $0.53 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.51. Zacks Research currently has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Kraft Heinz's current full-year earnings is $2.06 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Kraft Heinz's Q3 2026 earnings at $0.47 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.50 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $2.08 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.53 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.52 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.47 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.51 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $2.04 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $0.56 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $2.15 EPS.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the company. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on Kraft Heinz from $24.00 to $20.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 25th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Kraft Heinz from $23.00 to $20.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Kraft Heinz from $22.00 to $21.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 25th. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on shares of Kraft Heinz from $24.00 to $23.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Finally, BTIG Research assumed coverage on shares of Kraft Heinz in a research report on Monday, April 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Reduce" and a consensus price target of $23.06.

Kraft Heinz Stock Performance

NASDAQ KHC opened at $23.54 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Kraft Heinz has a fifty-two week low of $21.03 and a fifty-two week high of $29.19. The business has a fifty day moving average of $22.59 and a 200-day moving average of $23.69. The stock has a market cap of $27.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.84 and a beta of 0.06.

Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The company reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $6.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.89 billion. Kraft Heinz had a positive return on equity of 7.26% and a negative net margin of 23.05%.Kraft Heinz's revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.62 EPS. Kraft Heinz has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.980-2.100 EPS.

Kraft Heinz Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 5th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.8%. Kraft Heinz's dividend payout ratio is currently -32.92%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Cory Onell sold 4,991 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.34, for a total value of $121,480.94. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 197,463 shares in the company, valued at $4,806,249.42. This trade represents a 2.47% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.24% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Kraft Heinz

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Kraft Heinz during the first quarter worth approximately $207,000. Woodline Partners LP raised its stake in shares of Kraft Heinz by 39.0% in the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 73,700 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,243,000 after acquiring an additional 20,690 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Kraft Heinz by 16.6% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 51,222 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,323,000 after acquiring an additional 7,307 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its holdings in shares of Kraft Heinz by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 522,147 shares of the company's stock valued at $13,482,000 after acquiring an additional 4,003 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HUB Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Kraft Heinz during the 2nd quarter worth $207,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.17% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting Kraft Heinz

Here are the key news stories impacting Kraft Heinz this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kraft Heinz advanced its balance-sheet management by launching new euro notes and moving ahead with a cash tender offer for up to $1.1 billion of outstanding notes, which could help lower financing costs and extend debt maturity. Kraft Heinz Launches New Euro Notes, Refinances Debt
• Positive Sentiment: The company said it received strong early tender participation and satisfied the financing condition for the buyback, signaling solid demand and a smooth path to completing the transaction. Kraft Heinz Announces Early Tender Participation Results, Satisfaction of the Financing Condition, and Election of Early Settlement
• Positive Sentiment: Kraft Heinz also launched new and reformulated products, including Jell-O without artificial dyes and a lactose-free Kraft Natural Cheese line, which may help revive sales by appealing to health-conscious consumers and new dietary trends. Kraft Heinz launches Jell-O line without artificial dyes
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary noted the stock has recently been mixed, with some short-term gains but continued underperformance over longer periods, keeping sentiment cautious even as the shares have edged higher. Kraft Heinz Co. stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms market

Kraft Heinz Company Profile

The Kraft Heinz Company NASDAQ: KHC is a global food and beverage company formed in 2015 through the merger of Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz Company. The combination created one of the largest packaged-food companies in the world, built around well-known consumer brands. The merger was supported by major investors and established a multi-national platform for branded food products.

Kraft Heinz develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of branded packaged foods and condiments.

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