The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) Stock Analysis
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Analysis by Sedat ANAK, Founder & Editor-in-Chief | AI-powered analysis. Data sourced from SEC filings and institutional-grade financial providers. Editorially reviewed. Not financial advice.
The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) trades at $25.56 with AI Score 22/100 (Grade F). The Kraft Heinz Company manufactures and markets food and beverage products globally. Market cap: $30.3B, Sector: Consumer defensive.
Price as of Aug 21, 2026 · Last analyzed: May 10, 2026KHC stock analysis for 2026: Analysts have set a consensus price target of $23.86 for The Kraft Heinz Company, suggesting 6.6% downside from the current price of $25.56. The AI MoonshotScore is 22/100, indicating a strong bearish outlook. Key factors: analyst coverage, AI-driven quantitative scoring.
KHC: 2/3 scored disciplines lean bearish. Dominant signal: Seth Klarman bullish.
How is this calculated? →Why this analysis is different
- A sector-relative MoonshotScore — five pillars (business quality, financial safety, valuation, growth durability, momentum) re-ranked nightly against the full universe of US-listed common stocks.
- An AI Council read across up to eight perspectives — value, macro, quantitative, and momentum lenses — that shows where they disagree instead of averaging the tension away.
- Figures come straight from FMP and Yahoo Finance filings data. The AI writes the narrative around the numbers — it never edits the numbers.
The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) Consumer Business Overview
The Kraft Heinz Company, a global leader in packaged foods, offers a diverse portfolio including condiments, sauces, cheese, and beverages. With a significant market presence and a dividend yield of 6.68%, the company navigates a competitive landscape while adapting to evolving consumer preferences and focusing on operational efficiency.
What Is the Investment Thesis for KHC?
The Kraft Heinz Company presents a mixed investment thesis. While the company boasts a substantial market capitalization of $30.3B and a high dividend yield of 6.68%, its negative profit margin of -23.0% raises concerns about profitability. A key value driver is the company's portfolio of well-known brands, which provide a degree of pricing power and customer loyalty. Upcoming catalysts include potential efficiency improvements and strategic portfolio optimization. However, potential risks include changing consumer preferences and intense competition within the packaged foods industry. Investors should carefully weigh these factors when considering KHC.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
KHC Key Highlights
Market capitalization of $30.3B, reflecting its significant presence in the packaged foods industry.
- Dividend yield of 6.68%, offering an attractive income stream for investors.
- Gross margin of 33.3%, indicating the company's ability to generate revenue after covering the cost of goods sold.
- Beta of 0.05, suggesting low volatility compared to the overall market.
- Employs 36,000 people, highlighting its scale of operations.
Who Are KHC's Competitors?
KHC is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | AI Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABEV Ambev S.A. | $2.83 | +0.71% | $43.7B | 49 |
| ADM Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients. The company | $81.70 | +1.16% | $39.4B | 61 |
| JBS JBS N.V. | $13.55 | -1.45% | $30.1B | 44 |
| KVUE Kenvue Inc. | $18.93 | -1.05% | $36.4B | 65 |
| EL The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. | $100.52 | +4.54% | $36.4B | 50 |
| MKC McCormick & Company, Incorporated | $55.22 | -2.23% | $14.9B | 62 |
| HRL Hormel Foods Corporation | $24.07 | -1.39% | $13.3B | 56 |
| ORKLF Orkla ASA | $10.90 | +0.00% | $10.7B | 56 |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are KHC's Key Strengths?
Strong brand portfolio with iconic brands.
- Extensive distribution network.
- High dividend yield.
- Global presence.
What Are KHC's Weaknesses?
Negative profit margin.
- High debt levels.
- Exposure to changing consumer preferences.
- Dependence on a limited number of key brands.
What Could Drive KHC Stock Higher?
Implementation of cost-saving initiatives and supply chain optimization efforts to improve profitability.
- Potential strategic acquisitions or divestitures to streamline the company's portfolio and focus on high-growth categories.
- Innovation in product development to meet changing consumer preferences and health trends.
- Expansion of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer channels to reach a wider customer base.
What Are the Key Risks for KHC?
Financial-distress signal — its Altman Z-Score of 0.53 sits in the distress zone (elevated bankruptcy risk).
- Negative return on equity (-13.8%) — the business is not currently generating profit on shareholder capital.
- Intense competition from other packaged food companies and private label brands.
- Rising commodity prices and supply chain disruptions.
- Changing consumer preferences and health trends that could impact demand for certain products.
- Economic downturns that could reduce consumer spending on packaged foods.
- High debt levels that could limit the company's financial flexibility.
What Are the Growth Opportunities for KHC?
- Expansion in Emerging Markets: Kraft Heinz can pursue growth by expanding its presence in emerging markets, where demand for packaged foods is increasing due to rising disposable incomes and urbanization. This involves tailoring product offerings to local tastes and preferences, establishing efficient distribution networks, and forming strategic partnerships with local players. Market size is estimated to reach $1 trillion by 2030.
- Product Innovation and Healthier Options: Kraft Heinz can capitalize on the growing consumer demand for healthier food options by investing in product innovation and developing healthier alternatives to its existing products. This includes reducing sugar, salt, and fat content, incorporating natural and organic ingredients, and offering plant-based options. The global healthy food market is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2027.
- E-commerce and Direct-to-Consumer Channels: Kraft Heinz can enhance its online presence and reach a wider customer base by expanding its e-commerce capabilities and developing direct-to-consumer channels. This involves investing in online marketing, improving website functionality, and offering personalized shopping experiences.
- Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships: Kraft Heinz can pursue growth through strategic acquisitions and partnerships that complement its existing product portfolio and expand its market reach. This involves identifying attractive acquisition targets, negotiating favorable terms, and integrating acquired businesses effectively. The company can also form partnerships with other companies to leverage their expertise and resources.
- Supply Chain Optimization and Cost Reduction: Kraft Heinz can improve its profitability by optimizing its supply chain and reducing costs. This involves streamlining its manufacturing processes, improving its logistics and distribution networks, and negotiating favorable terms with suppliers. The company can also leverage technology to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
What Are KHC's Competitive Advantages?
- Strong brand recognition and customer loyalty for iconic brands like Heinz and Kraft.
- Extensive distribution network and established relationships with retailers and foodservice providers.
- Economies of scale in manufacturing and procurement.
- Portfolio of well-known brands provides pricing power.
What Does KHC Do?
The Kraft Heinz Company was founded in 2015 through the merger of Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation, though its roots trace back to 1869 with the establishment of H.J. Heinz. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company manufactures and markets a wide array of food and beverage products across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its product portfolio includes iconic brands in categories such as condiments and sauces (Heinz Ketchup, Heinz Mustard), cheese and dairy products (Kraft Singles, Philadelphia Cream Cheese), meals (Kraft Macaroni & Cheese), meats (Oscar Mayer), refreshment beverages (Kool-Aid, Capri Sun), coffee, and other grocery products. Kraft Heinz serves a diverse customer base, including chain, wholesale, and independent grocery accounts, convenience stores, drug stores, mass merchants, club stores, and foodservice distributors. The company utilizes its own sales organization, along with independent brokers, agents, and distributors, to reach these customers. Kraft Heinz also leverages e-commerce platforms and retailers to expand its online presence. With a workforce of approximately 36,000 employees, Kraft Heinz continues to focus on innovation, efficiency, and brand building to maintain its competitive position in the global packaged foods market.
What Products and Services Does KHC Offer?
- Manufactures and markets food and beverage products.
- Offers a wide range of products including condiments, sauces, cheese, and dairy products.
- Provides meals, meats, refreshment beverages, and coffee.
- Sells products through various channels including grocery stores, convenience stores, and e-commerce platforms.
- Operates in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally.
- Focuses on brand building and product innovation.
How Does KHC Make Money?
- Manufactures and distributes packaged food and beverage products.
- Generates revenue through sales to retailers, foodservice distributors, and consumers.
- Focuses on cost management and operational efficiency.
- Invests in marketing and advertising to promote its brands.
What Industry Does KHC Operate In?
The Kraft Heinz Company operates within the competitive packaged foods industry, characterized by evolving consumer preferences, health trends, and intense competition. The industry is experiencing a shift towards healthier and more sustainable food options, requiring companies to innovate and adapt their product offerings. Kraft Heinz competes with other major players such as Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM), JBS N.V. (JBS), and Kenvue Inc. (KVUE). The company's success depends on its ability to maintain brand relevance, optimize its supply chain, and effectively manage costs.
Who Are KHC's Key Customers?
- Chain, wholesale, and independent grocery accounts.
- Convenience stores, drug stores, and mass merchants.
- Foodservice distributors and institutions (hotels, restaurants, hospitals).
- Consumers through e-commerce platforms and retailers.
Insider Activity
Over the past six months, The Kraft Heinz Company insiders filed 30 SEC Form 4 transactions — 7 sales and 23 purchases. On net that is roughly 329K shares acquired (about $4.7M) — insiders putting money in tends to read as conviction.
Forward Outlook
Wall Street analysts project The Kraft Heinz Company revenue of about $24.66B for fiscal 2026, with EPS near $2.05. The estimate reflects 12 contributing analysts.
Earnings Track Record
The Kraft Heinz Company has beaten Wall Street's EPS estimate in 7 of its last 8 reported quarters — a consistent record of delivering on expectations. Reported results have landed about 6.7% above estimates on average.
Financial Health
The Kraft Heinz Company's Piotroski F-Score is 5/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — a middling fundamental profile. Its Altman Z-Score of 0.53 places it in the distress zone, a signal of elevated financial risk.
Key Financial Metrics
Return on equity for The Kraft Heinz Company stands at -13.8%, a gauge of how efficiently it converts shareholder capital into profit. Return on assets is -7.0%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. Its free cash flow yield is 13.4%, a gauge of the cash the business throws off relative to its market value. A current ratio of 1.20 indicates the company holds enough short-term assets to cover its near-term obligations. Its earnings yield is -19.6%, the inverse of the P/E and a quick read on earnings relative to price.
The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) Valuation Context
Valued at $30.3B, KHC is classified as a large-cap stock. Relative to its peer group, KHC's quantitative score of 22/100 is below the peer average of 54/100.
KHC Revenue & Earnings Trend
In Q2 2026, KHC generated $6.26B in top-line revenue, marking a sequential increase of 3.6%. The company recorded a net loss of $5.46B, with diluted EPS of $-4.60. Quarter-over-quarter revenue has been mixed, typical for a large-cap company operating in Consumer Defensive. Across the four most recent quarters, KHC averaged $-0.71 in diluted EPS.
Company Profile
The Kraft Heinz Company operates in the Packaged Foods industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. It is headquartered in Pittsburgh, US. The company is led by CEO Steven A. Cahillane. KHC has traded publicly since 2015.
KHC Financials
Fundamental Snapshot
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis · FY 2025
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- Recent insider buying suggests confidence in Kraft Heinz's recovery and growth potential, reflecting a positive outlook from leadership.
- Social sentiment has shifted positively, with discussions around product innovation and sustainability initiatives gaining traction among consumers.
- The company's strategic partnerships have been well-received, indicating strong brand positioning and market adaptability.
- Recent earnings calls highlighted operational efficiencies, which could lead to improved margins and profitability moving forward.
Bear Case
- Concerns about rising input costs have been prevalent, causing unease among investors about potential impacts on profit margins.
- Community sentiment has shown skepticism regarding the effectiveness of recent marketing campaigns, with some questioning their ROI.
- Market perception remains cautious due to broader economic uncertainties, which could impact consumer spending on non-essential food products.
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · March 2026
From the Earnings Call
“We expect the second quarter to have top line between minus 3% and minus 5%.”
— Andre Maciel, CFO
“As we said in our prepared remarks, we do expect marketing for the year to be at least 5.5% of revenue. As Steve mentioned, we have been looking very closely at how our performance is shaping up, and if things end up better than we anticipated, we will be willing to lean more into investment, with marketing being one of the key drivers.”
— Andre Maciel, CFO
KHC Q1 FY2026 earnings call transcript · 2026-05-06
Recent Quarterly Results
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | $6.26B | -$5.46B | -$4.60 |
| Q1 2026 | $6.05B | $798M | $0.67 |
| Q4 2025 | $6.35B | $651M | $0.55 |
| Q3 2025 | $6.24B | $615M | $0.52 |
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
KHC Latest News
-
Berkshire Hathaway 13F Preview: What Stock Moves Did Buffett Successor Greg Abel Make?
benzinga · Aug 13, 2026
-
Senator Looks for Dividend Stocks: Latest Purchase Is Company with 673 Consecutive Monthly Payouts
benzinga · Aug 11, 2026
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'CEOs Pushed White House to Delay Ultra-Processed Food Definition' - Bloomberg
benzinga · Aug 10, 2026
-
This Senator Just Bought Up To $15K In Realty Income Stock
benzinga · Aug 10, 2026
KHC Analyst Consensus
Consensus Rating
Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations from Benzinga, Yahoo Finance, and Finnhub for KHC.
Price Targets
Consensus target: $23.86
KHC MoonshotScore
What does this score mean?
The MoonshotScore rates KHC 0-100 on quantitative fundamentals — growth, financial health, valuation, momentum, and risk.
Latest News
Berkshire Hathaway 13F Preview: What Stock Moves Did Buffett Successor Greg Abel Make?
Senator Looks for Dividend Stocks: Latest Purchase Is Company with 673 Consecutive Monthly Payouts
'CEOs Pushed White House to Delay Ultra-Processed Food Definition' - Bloomberg
This Senator Just Bought Up To $15K In Realty Income Stock
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3 min readLeadership: Steven A. Cahillane
Chief Executive Officer
Steven A. Cahillane has served as the Chief Executive Officer of The Kraft Heinz Company since 2017. Prior to joining Kraft Heinz, he served as Chairman and CEO of the Kellogg Company from 2014 to 2017, where he oversaw a portfolio of well-known cereal and snack brands. Cahillane also held various leadership positions at Coca-Cola Refreshments and InterContinental Hotels Group. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Political Science from Northwestern University.
Track Record: Since becoming CEO of Kraft Heinz, Cahillane has focused on driving operational efficiency, streamlining the company's portfolio, and investing in key brands. He has led efforts to improve the company's supply chain, reduce costs, and enhance its marketing capabilities. Under his leadership, Kraft Heinz has also pursued strategic acquisitions and partnerships to expand its market reach and product offerings.
KHC Consumer Defensive Stock FAQ
What does the AI Score mean for KHC?
KHC holds an AI Score of 22/100 (Grade: F). This is an educational research signal, not a buy or sell recommendation. The Kraft Heinz Company manufactures and markets food and beverage products globally. With a history dating back to 1869, the company offers a diverse portfolio of well-known brands across various …
What does The Kraft Heinz Company do?
The Kraft Heinz Company is a global food and beverage company that manufactures and markets a diverse portfolio of products, including condiments, sauces, cheese, dairy products, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, and other grocery items. The company sells its products through various channels, including grocery stores, convenience stores, foodservice distributors, and e-commerce platforms.
What do analysts say about KHC stock?
Analyst consensus on The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) is mixed, reflecting both the company's strengths and weaknesses. While the company's high dividend yield and strong brand portfolio are seen as positives, concerns remain about its negative profit margin and high debt levels.
What are the main risks for KHC?
The Kraft Heinz Company faces several key risks, including intense competition in the packaged foods industry, rising commodity prices, changing consumer preferences and health trends, and high debt levels. The company's ability to maintain its market share, manage its costs, and adapt to changing consumer tastes will be crucial to its success.
How does The Kraft Heinz Company adapt to changing consumer preferences?
Analyze The Kraft Heinz Company's product innovation pipeline, consumer trend response, and e-commerce strategy. With a significant market presence and a dividend yield of 6.68%, the company navigates a competitive landscape while adapting to evolving consumer preferences and focusing on operational efficiency.
What is KHC's dividend and shareholder return track record?
Summarize The Kraft Heinz Company's dividend growth history, payout ratio, and share buyback programs.
What are the key factors to evaluate for KHC?
The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) holds an AI score of 22/100 (low). Analysts target $23.86 (-7%). The Kraft Heinz Company presents a mixed investment thesis. Not financial advice.
How frequently does KHC data refresh on this page?
KHC's price was last updated on Aug 21, 2026 and refreshes on page view during U.S. market hours — it is not a real-time exchange feed. Fundamentals update after quarterly filings; the MoonshotScore recalculates nightly; news aggregates continuously.
What has driven KHC's recent stock price performance?
The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) moves on earnings results, analyst revisions, sector rotation, and market sentiment. Notable catalyst: Strong brand portfolio with iconic brands. See the News tab for the latest drivers. Past performance does not predict future results.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
Data provided for informational purposes only.
- The information provided is based on publicly available sources and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as investment advice.