A Major Shareholder Exits as Kraft Heinz Prepares Corporate Split

Significant changes are underway at Kraft Heinz, marked by the departure of its largest investor. Berkshire Hathaway has formally initiated the process to divest its entire stake in the food conglomerate. This move concludes an investment era that began in 2015 and raises immediate questions for the market regarding the stock's ability to absorb such a substantial sale.

The decision by Berkshire Hathaway, led by CEO Greg Abel, comes as Kraft Heinz advances its own ambitious separation plan. The company announced in September 2025 its intention to split into two independent, publicly traded entities during the second half of 2026:
* Global Taste Elevation: A growth-focused business centered on sauces and condiments.
* North American Grocery: A value-oriented unit housing the portfolio of classic grocery brands in North America.

Market observers interpret Berkshire's exit as a preference for a clean break rather than navigating the complexities of the upcoming spin-off. The investment holding company has taken the regulatory steps to sell its 27.5% ownership position, which equates to approximately 325 million shares.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Kraft Heinz?

Share Price Under Pressure from Supply Overhang

The sheer volume of this impending sale has introduced notable nervousness among investors. A significant "overhang" of shares now weighs on the stock, with the massive supply likely to cap any potential recovery in the near term. This planned divestment follows an extended period of underperformance that made Kraft Heinz a challenging holding for the Omaha-based conglomerate. Currently trading at $23.30, the shares have declined nearly 4.5% in value since the start of the year.

Operational Performance Presents a Mixed Picture

The company's recent financial results provide context for Berkshire's decision. Kraft Heinz reported a third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share of $0.61, surpassing analyst expectations, and posted a net profit of $613 million. However, these figures are juxtaposed against declining sales volumes and a previously reduced annual forecast, highlighting ongoing fundamental challenges. Furthermore, a substantial debt burden continues to pressure the balance sheet, even as the dividend yield remains an attractive feature for income-focused shareholders.

The latter half of 2026 is poised to be a pivotal period for investors, as the corporate split is scheduled for completion. The separation is designed to grant each new company greater strategic focus. Until then, however, the market's absorption of the enormous Berkshire share block is expected to dominate price action, potentially keeping the stock range-bound as it works through this additional supply.