The Kraft Heinz Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food and beverage products in North America and internationally. Its products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy products, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, and other grocery products under the Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Heinz, Philadelphia, Lunchables, Velveeta, Ore-Ida, Maxwell House, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, Heinz, ABC, Master, Quero, Kraft, Golden Circle, Wattie's, Pudliszki, and Plasmon brands. It sells its products through its own sales organizations, as well as through independent brokers, agents, and distributors to chain, wholesale, cooperative, and independent grocery accounts; convenience, value, and club stores; pharmacies and drug stores; mass merchants; foodservice distributors; institutions, including hotels, restaurants, bakeries, hospitals, health care facilities, and government agencies; and online through various e-commerce platforms and retailers. The company was formerly known as H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation and changed its name to The Kraft Heinz Company in July 2015. The Kraft Heinz Company was founded in 1869 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Kraft Heinz looks like a mature defensive business with noticeably cheaper valuations on balance-sheet and cash-flow metrics, but with clear signs of weak operating profitability in the current TTM. P/B at 0.70 and P/FCF at 7.52 look attractive relative to the industry, supporting the idea of undervaluation, while P/S at 1.17 is above the median and limits re-rating potential. The dividend yield of 1.77% is rising compared with previous periods, which adds to the investment appeal, but the yield itself remains moderate for a defensive story. Its strength lies in a high and stable equity base, as well as a comfortable debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, which does not look stressed. At the same time, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 0.82 point to less-than-ideal, though acceptable, short-term liquidity. The biggest downside is the zero TTM ROE, ROA, ROI, net margin, and operating margin, which looks either like a temporary reporting effect or a weakness in generating profit on assets and capital. Historically in 2025, margins were positive, so the current drop should not be interpreted as a structural collapse, but it still worsens the quality of the valuation. Revenue and net income remain significant, and net income and operating income in absolute terms confirm the scale of the business, but profit dynamics do not show convincing acceleration. Gross margin of around 33.9% remains at an acceptable level and looks relatively stable, but without any clear improvement. EBITDA and gross profit do not provide a strong signal for revaluation, since the presented data do not show a pronounced improvement in quality. Long-term debt remains substantial, and total liabilities are high, which adds caution to the multiples and limits upside. Overall, the picture is rather neutral to slightly negative for the target price: cheap assets and cash flow support the valuation, but weak current profitability and the lack of convincing improvement in business quality do not allow for an aggressive upward revision of the forecast.

The Kraft Heinz Company

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Быки в растерянности.

Strong index, significantly down. The bulls are confused.

Сильный индекс, незначительно вырос. Рынок на стороне быков.

Strong index, slightly up. The market is on the bulls' side.

Сильный индекс, значительно вырос. Приток средств в лонги на высоком уровне.

Strong index, significantly up. Inflow of funds into longs at a high level.

KHC shares are cheap on a P/B and P/FCF basis and are supported by dividends and capital, but zero TTM profitability and weak liquidity are holding back the valuation.

In the latest look at the underlying components of the S&P 500 ordered by largest market capitalization, Kraft Heinz Co (Symbol: KHC) has taken over the #364 spot from International Paper Co (Symbol: IP), according to The Online Investor.
Market capitalization is an important data point for investors to keep an eye on, for various reasons. The most basic reason is that it gives a true comparison of the value attributed by the stock market to a given company's stock. Many beginning investors look at one stock trading at $10 and another trading at $20 and mistakenly think the latter company is worth twice as much — that of course is a completely meaningless comparison without knowing how many shares of each company exist. But comparing market capitalization (factoring in those share counts) creates a true "apples-to-apples" comparison of the value of two stocks. In the case of Kraft Heinz Co (Symbol: KHC), the market cap is now $32.37 billion, versus International Paper Co (Symbol: IP) at $23.35 billion.
Below is a chart of Kraft Heinz Co versus International Paper Co plotting their respective size rank within the S&P 500 over time (KHC plotted in blue; IP plotted in green):
Below is a three month price history chart comparing the stock performance of KHC vs. IP:
Another reason market capitalization is important is where it places a company in terms of its size tier in relation to peers — much like the way a mid-size sedan is typically compared to other mid-size sedans (and not SUV's). This can have a direct impact on which mutual funds and ETFs are willing to own the stock. For instance, a mutual fund that is focused solely on Large Cap stocks may for example only be interested in those companies sized $10 billion or larger. Another illustrative example is the S&P MidCap index which essentially takes the S&P 500 index and "tosses out" the biggest 100 companies so as to focus solely on the 400 smaller "up-and-comers" (which in the right environment can outperform their larger rivals). So a company's market cap, especially in relation to other companies, carries great importance, and for this reason we at The Online Investor find value to putting together these rankings daily.
Examine the full KHC market cap history vs. the full IP market cap history.
At the closing bell, KHC is up about 1.2%, while IP is off about 3.4% on the day Wednesday.
Further KHC Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Kraft Heinz Moves Up In Market Cap Rank, Passing International Paper

As Medifast, Inc. MED prepares to unveil its second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 03, after market close, investors are eager to see if the company can beat market expectations.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $78.4 million, implying a 25.8% decline from the prior year. Meanwhile, the consensus mark for earnings has moved from a loss of 68 cents to a loss of 67 cents per share in the past seven days. This indicates a substantial decline from the year-ago period’s earnings of 4 cents. MED has a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 635.6%, on average.
MEDIFAST INC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Key Factors to Note for MED's Q2 Earnings
Medifast likely continued to face headwinds from the rapid adoption of GLP-1 medications, which have been reshaping the traditional weight-loss market. The company has previously indicated that this shift is reducing demand for conventional weight management programs, placing continued pressure on coach participation and overall business performance. These industry dynamics are likely to have remained a meaningful headwind during the to-be-reported quarter.
The decline in the number of active earning coaches might have created pressure on revenue trends. The company has previously attributed weaker sales performance to the contraction in its coach network, and this trend is likely to have continued to weigh on overall business performance in the second quarter.
Profitability also likely remained challenged as softer sales volumes continued to pressure gross profit and margins. Management had previously noted that lower revenue reduced the company's ability to leverage fixed costs efficiently, resulting in margin compression. These factors might have continued to weigh on earnings performance during the quarter.
However, Medifast is also likely to have benefited from continued improvements in coach productivity. Management had previously highlighted that this key leading indicator of future growth had reached its highest level in many years and was expected to maintain positive momentum. In addition, the company's ongoing cost structure realignment likely supported operating performance by improving efficiency, generating cost savings and preserving profitability, while allowing continued investment in long-term growth initiatives. These efforts might have helped mitigate some pressure from the challenging operating environment.
What the Zacks Model Says About MED
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for MED this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here.
MED has an Earnings ESP of +2.26% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Other Stocks With Favorable Combination
Here are three other companies you may also want to consider, as our model shows that these too have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this season:
The Kraft Heinz Company KHC currently has an Earnings ESP of +3.08% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings per share is pegged at 53 cents, implying a 23.2% year-over-year decline. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $6.2 billion, which indicates a decrease of 3% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. KHC has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.2%, on average.
US Foods Holding Corp. USFD currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.10% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings per share is pegged at $1.37, implying a 15.1% year-over-year decline.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $10.5 billion, which indicates growth of 3.8% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. USFD has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.4%, on average.
Sysco Corporation SYY currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.56% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings per share is pegged at $1.51, implying a 2% year-over-year increase.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $21.9 billion, which indicates an increase of 3.7% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. SYY has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.1%, on average.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Medifast Stock to Post Q2 Earnings: What Investors Should Know

Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Kraft Heinz (KHC), which belongs to the Zacks Food - Miscellaneous industry, could be a great candidate to consider.
This processed food company with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Chicago has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 12.92%.
For the most recent quarter, Kraft Heinz was expected to post earnings of $0.5 per share, but it reported $0.58 per share instead, representing a surprise of 16.00%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $0.61 per share, while it actually produced $0.67 per share, a surprise of 9.84%.
Price and EPS Surprise
With this earnings history in mind, recent estimates have been moving higher for Kraft Heinz. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the company is positive, which is a great sign of an earnings beat, especially when you combine this metric with its nice Zacks Rank.
Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Kraft Heinz currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.82%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on August 5, 2026.
With the Earnings ESP metric, it's important to note that a negative value reduces its predictive power; however, a negative Earnings ESP does not indicate an earnings miss.
Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.
Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Kraft Heinz (KHC) is Poised to Beat Earnings Estimates Again

Key Points
Kraft's new CEO abandoned plans to break up the business, believing its problems are fixable.
The company has struggled to generate positive growth in recent quarters.
Kraft's valuation is incredibly low, but there is still ample risk for investors.
Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: KHC) is a top food company whose business has been struggling in recent years. Its returns have been atrocious as its valuation has plummeted 35% in five years. But amid the decline, its yield has shot up to around 6.3%, potentially still making it an attractive option for dividend investors.
It's also been more stable of late, rising by 6% since the beginning of the year. And the business has abandoned controversial plans to break up under its new CEO. With earnings on deck next week, on Aug. 5, is now a good time to buy this troubled food stock, while its valuation remains low?
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Are Kraft's problems as fixable as the CEO claims?
Steve Cahillane took over as Kraft CEO earlier this year and abandoned the company's plans to break up its business, instead opting to invest $600 million in a turnaround effort that involves focusing on marketing, sales, and research and development. Cahillane believes that the main issues plaguing the company are "fixable and within our control."
Throwing money at a problem, however, is by no means enough to fix a troubled business. Kraft's brand has been associated with unhealthy products, such as Mac and Cheese, which, while convenient, is high in sodium and highly processed. As consumers have been eating healthier in recent years and GLP-1 weight-loss pills are also curbing appetite, Kraft has faced considerable challenges. And that's evident in its incredibly poor growth rate.
Kraft's stock may look cheap, but that doesn't mean it's a good buy
There's no reason to expect Kraft's upcoming earnings report to show any significant improvement over prior quarters. While it does have some strong brands, others are simply associated with unhealthy eating habits. Demand has at best been stable in some quarters, but for much of the past few years, the business has struggled to achieve any positive growth whatsoever.
Kraft's valuation has fallen significantly, and at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of just 13 (based on analyst projections), it may seem like it's too cheap to pass up on, but I don't think that's the case. This is looking like a value trap given all the question marks, challenges, and uncertainty around the business today. Even its dividend may not prove to be all that safe if its turnaround effort falls short of expectations. This may be a stock worth watching, but there is no reason to rush to buy it right now, given all the risk.
Should you buy stock in Kraft Heinz right now?
Before you buy stock in Kraft Heinz, consider this:
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David Jagielski, CPA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Kraft Heinz. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Should You Buy Kraft Heinz Stock Before Aug. 5?

Among the underlying components of the S&P 500 index, we saw noteworthy options trading volume today in Kraft Heinz Co (Symbol: KHC), where a total of 74,656 contracts have traded so far, representing approximately 7.5 million underlying shares. That amounts to about 58.5% of KHC's average daily trading volume over the past month of 12.8 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $26.50 strike call option expiring July 24, 2026, with 18,239 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 1.8 million underlying shares of KHC. Below is a chart showing KHC's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $26.50 strike highlighted in orange:
PG&E Corp (Symbol: PCG) saw options trading volume of 83,473 contracts, representing approximately 8.3 million underlying shares or approximately 53.3% of PCG's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 15.7 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $18 strike call option expiring September 18, 2026, with 31,635 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 3.2 million underlying shares of PCG. Below is a chart showing PCG's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $18 strike highlighted in orange:
And Vistra Corp (Symbol: VST) saw options trading volume of 20,615 contracts, representing approximately 2.1 million underlying shares or approximately 50.8% of VST's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 4.1 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $180 strike call option expiring September 18, 2026, with 7,562 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 756,200 underlying shares of VST. Below is a chart showing VST's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $180 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for KHC options, PCG options, or VST options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Further KHC Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Noteworthy Thursday Option Activity: KHC, PCG, VST

Albertsons Companies, Inc. ACI reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, wherein adjusted earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate while revenues surpassed the same. On a year-over-year basis, revenues increased marginally, whereas adjusted earnings declined. The company also lowered its fiscal 2026 outlook.
Digital and pharmacy businesses continued to deliver strong growth during the fiscal first quarter, while core grocery faced increasing pressure from softer industry unit trends and a more cautious consumer. In response, the company announced ACI Edge, an operating structure realignment designed to accelerate execution, increase accountability and better leverage its scale, technology and local market expertise.
As part of ACI Edge, Albertsons is transitioning from 11 divisions to four regions and centralizing center-store merchandising to strengthen accountability, accelerate decision-making and improve consistency across banners and regions. Management stated that these actions are intended to deliver sharper value, greater differentiation in fresh and an enhanced customer experience while creating long-term value for customers and shareholders.
Albertsons Companies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Albertsons’ Quarterly Performance: Key Insights
ACI posted adjusted quarterly earnings of 42 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 55 cents. The bottom line declined from 55 cents reported in the prior-year quarter.
Net sales and other revenues increased 0.2% year over year to $24,941.6 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $24,815 million. Growth was supported by higher fuel sales, while identical sales declined 0.8%. Pharmacy sales remained resilient despite headwinds from the Inflation Reduction Act and digital sales rose 13% in the fiscal first quarter.
Insight Into ACI's Q1 Margins & Expenses
Gross profit declined 1.5% year over year to $6.64 billion. However, the gross margin for the quarter under review contracted 50 basis points (bps) year over year to 26.6% from 27.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2025.
Excluding the impacts of fuel and LIFO expense, gross margin decreased 23 bps from the prior-year period. The decline was primarily caused by higher delivery and handling costs associated with continued digital sales growth, as well as higher fuel costs. These impacts were partially offset by improvements in pharmacy margins, primarily related to the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act. The company continued to invest in its customer value proposition, supported by productivity initiatives.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, selling and administrative expenses increased 0.9% year over year to $6.38 billion. As a percentage of net sales and other revenues, these expenses rose 20 basis points to 25.6%.
Excluding the impact of fuel, selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales and other revenues rose 42 basis points year over year. The increase reflected higher rent and occupancy costs, merger-related litigation expenses, business transformation costs, and depreciation and amortization, partly offset by lower employee costs. Despite disciplined productivity and cost management efforts, the expense rate was affected by lower identical sales, including the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on pharmacy sales growth.
Adjusted EBITDA declined 8.8% year over year to $1.01 billion, while the adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 40 bps year over year to 4.1% of net sales and other revenues.
ACI’s Q1 Financial Snapshot
Albertsons ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $293.4 million. The company's long-term debt and finance lease obligations totaled $8.42 billion as of June 20, 2026, while total stockholders' equity amounted to $1.61 billion.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, capital expenditures totaled $522.1 million, primarily for the completion of 15 remodels, the opening of four new stores and continued investments in the company's digital and technology platforms.
ACI also continued returning capital to its shareholders. During the fiscal first quarter, the board increased the quarterly cash dividend by 13% from 15 cents to 17 cents per share. Albertsons paid a quarterly dividend of 17 cents per share on May 8, 2026, and repurchased 13.4 million shares of common stock for $226.5 million under its existing multi-year share repurchase authorization. The company declared its next quarterly cash dividend of 17 cents per share, payable on Aug. 7, 2026, to its shareholders of record as of July 24.
Sneak Peek Into Albertsons’ FY26 Outlook
The company updated its fiscal 2026 outlook to reflect continued softness in industry unit trends and a more cautious consumer, while accelerating investments and operational changes designed to strengthen its customer value proposition and improve its competitive position.
Albertsons now expects identical sales to decline between 1.5% and 0.5%, compared with its previous forecast of flat growth to a 1% increase.
Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $3.55 billion and $3.63 billion, down from the prior range of $3.85 billion to $3.93 billion. Adjusted earnings are expected to be between $1.75 and $1.85 per share versus the earlier outlook of $2.22-$2.32. Capital expenditures are projected in the range of $1.9-$2 billion compared with the prior expectation of $2-$2.2 billion.
Management noted that the outlook reflects an estimated 150-basis-point headwind from the Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, which became effective on Jan. 1, 2026.
ACI Stock Past Three-Month Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have lost 12.2% over the past three months against the industry's 2.9% growth.
Three Picks You Can’t Miss
Here, we have highlighted three better-ranked stocks, namely, United Natural Foods, Inc. UNFI, Newell Brands Inc. NWL and The Kraft Heinz Company KHC.
United Natural is the leading distributor of natural, organic and specialty food and non-food products, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
UNFI delivered an earnings surprise of 29.9% in the trailing four quarters, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for United Natural’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates a decline of 2.1% and growth of 254.9%, respectively, from the year-ago reported quarter.
Newell Brands is a global manufacturer and marketer of consumer and commercial products. It has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. NWL delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 9.7%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Newell Brands’ current financial-year sales indicates growth of 1% from the year-ago reported numbers.
Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest consumer packaged food and beverage companies in North America. It manufactures and markets food and beverage products and currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. KHC delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.2%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kraft Heinz Company’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates a decline of 2% and 20.4%, respectively, from the year-earlier reported levels.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

ACI Q1 Earnings Miss on Grocery Weakness, FY26 Outlook Cut

Key Points
Berkshire Hathaway owns 400 million shares of Coca-Cola stock.
The company has a long history of dividend growth, and revenue is continuing to expand.
Berkshire receives more than 60% of the total cost basis of its Coca-Cola investment annually in dividends alone.
There's a reason why they call Warren Buffett "the Oracle of Omaha." In his 60-year career at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway, he made some incredibly shrewd moves that continue to pay off for the conglomerate even after Buffett's retirement.
One such investment is Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO). Buffett had Berkshire start buying the stock 38 years ago and gradually accumulated 400 million shares through a series of transactions and stock splits.
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And while Coca-Cola may not be a flashy name on Wall Street, the investment is incredibly lucrative, which is why I believe new CEO Greg Abel will direct Berkshire to continue to hold Coca-Cola stock for a long time.
Coca-Cola and its amazing dividend
One of the best things about investing in the Coca-Cola stock is the dividend. The nation's leading beverage company rewards investors with a dividend yield of 2.6% and has consistently juiced the payout. In fact, Coca-Cola has increased its dividend for 65 consecutive years, putting the company in the rarefied air of Dividend Kings -- companies with at least 50 years of dividend hikes in a row.
Here's why that's so important for Abel and Berkshire today. According to Berkshire's most recent annual report, the conglomerate reports $1.299 billion as the cost basis of its Coca-Cola investment. And in 2025 alone, Berkshire received a whopping $816 million in dividends from its investment, or essentially 62.8% of its entire cost basis in a single year.
That's an extraordinary number. Put another way, Berkshire Hathaway more than makes up the cost of its Coca-Cola investment every two years. The company's $1.299 billion investment was valued at $27.96 billion at the end of 2025.
With that kind of return, why would anyone sell? Coca-Cola stock is the gift that keeps giving.
Why is Coca-Cola so successful?
Coca-Cola is best known for its carbonated beverages, including the namesake product line. But it also makes other products, such as Sprite, which is now the No. 3 soft drink in the U.S., as well as a variety of teas, waters, sports drinks, juices, coffees, and even some alcoholic beverages.
While headquartered in Atlanta, Coca-Cola is very much a global brand. The company reported improved revenues in all its geographic segments, resulting in 12% overall growth in net revenues to $12.5 billion in the first quarter. Its portfolio of products served it well -- the Asia-Pacific region had Q1 growth in juices, value-added dairy and plant-based beverages, while tea products sold strongly in emerging markets Latin America and the Asia-Pacific.
"We're always pushing ourselves to do even better and focusing on getting more from our markets and more from our brands to drive balanced growth," CEO Henrique Braun said.
Why Greg Abel will hold Coca-Cola stock
One thing that Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway have proven is that you don't need investments to be exciting. Berkshire's portfolio includes time-tested consumer companies like Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz, and American Express instead of flashy names like Space Exploration Technologies and Sandisk. Coca-Cola is a mature and familiar business that has provided decades of business growth and dividend increases -- currently paying $2.12 per share annually.
Dividends don't have to be flashy when you're holding shares for decades. Consider that Berkshire's shares cost the company less than $4 each, on average. So getting $2.12 in annual dividends is incredibly lucrative when compared to the historical cost.
When Abel considers Coca-Cola stock, he doesn't have to decide whether it's a good investment at today's price. He just has to decide whether he wants to keep getting about $800 million every year without lifting a finger.
That's why I think Abel will hold Coca-Cola stock as long as he's at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway.
Should you buy stock in Coca-Cola right now?
Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, consider this:
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American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Patrick Sanders has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends American Express. The Motley Fool recommends Kraft Heinz. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Warren Buffett Backed This Consumer Brand for 38 Years. Here's Why Greg Abel Will Keep Holding.

(RTTNews) - Tuesday, The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) announced a long-term multi-year partnership with The Walt Disney Company (DIS), aiming to deliver new menu offerings, distinctive dining experiences and storytelling-driven offerings inspired by Disney's unmatched portfolio of beloved stories and franchises.
Starting this summer, the collaboration will show up across Disney's North American parks and resorts, Disney Cruise Line, and Disney's studios and streaming platforms, and will create opportunities involving Disney's iconic franchises.
The agreement also intends to unlock opportunities for integrated marketing campaigns, digital content and brand-led marketing campaigns across Disney's media platforms.
Currently, KHC is trading at $25.74, down 0.44 percent on the Nasdaq and DIS is trading at $96.57, up 0.13 percent on the New York Stock Exchange.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Kraft Heinz, Walt Disney Collaborate To Offer Storytelling-Inspired Dining Experience

Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.
Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors rely on traditional forms of analysis on key valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are undervalued, leaving room for profits.
Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today.
One stock to keep an eye on is Kraft Heinz Company (KHC). KHC is currently holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A. The stock is trading with P/E ratio of 10.08 right now. For comparison, its industry sports an average P/E of 14.62. Over the past 52 weeks, KHC's Forward P/E has been as high as 11.95 and as low as 9.33, with a median of 10.47.
Another notable valuation metric for KHC is its P/B ratio of 0.75. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks solid versus its industry's average P/B of 1.70. KHC's P/B has been as high as 0.90 and as low as 0.61, with a median of 0.76, over the past year.
These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that Kraft Heinz Company is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, KHC feels like a great value stock at the moment.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Is Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) Stock Undervalued Right Now?

Friday, July 17, 2026
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Apple Inc. (AAPL), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and ExxonMobil Holdings Corp. (XOM), as well as two micro-cap stocks Smith-Midland Corp. (SMID) and Coffee Holding Co., Inc. (JVA). The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.
These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>
Ahead of Wall Street
The daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens, attempting to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.
You can read today's AWS here >>> Pre-Markets Down on Weak Overnight in Asia
Today's Featured Research Reports
Shares of Apple have gained +57.3% over the past year against the Zacks Computer - Micro Computers industry’s gain of +62%. The company’s March quarter results showed demand for the iPhone 17 lineup and record Services revenue, supported by a growing installed base across major categories. Management expects June quarter revenue growth in the mid-teens, with Services rising at a similar pace after adjusting for foreign exchange.
New products such as iPhone 17e and MacBook Neo, plus Apple Business, can expand ecosystem engagement over time. Apple continues to return cash through dividends and buybacks, which can support the stock when operating results hold up.
At the same time, supply constraints, higher component costs and an uncertain tariff backdrop can weigh on availability and margins. Regulatory and legal actions tied to the App Store and antitrust claims also remain a risk factor, keeping the risk-reward balanced for a Neutral view.
(You can read the full research report on Apple here >>>)
JPMorgan’s shares have gained +20.3% over the past year against the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry’s gain of +27.5%. The company remains well-positioned given the current operating backdrop. Its second-quarter 2026 results reflected solid gains in capital markets and investment banking (IB).
JPMorgan’s consumer franchise keeps widening, with U.S. branch builds and Chase digital growth in Europe, while scale, diversified revenues and disciplined balance sheet management aid durable earnings. A higher-for-longer rate regime will aid net interest income (NII), and solid market activity, IB fees and asset management flows will drive fee income.
Yet, mortgage trends remain uneven, and expenses are likely to stay elevated as the company invests in technology, marketing and growth initiatives. Credit quality is a watch item in a tougher, more uncertain macro environment. However, a strong liquidity profile supports enhanced capital returns, with room for selective investments.
(You can read the full research report on JPMorgan here >>>)
Shares of ExxonMobil have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry over the past year (+42.3% vs. +38%). The company has a massive footprint in the Permian, the most prolific oil and gas play in the United States, and offshore Guyana. In the Permian, XOM’s proprietary technologies are expected to increase well recoveries, while Guyana's fifth FPSO is set to begin operations from late 2026.
The company also has a strong balance sheet, on which it could rely during an unfavorable business environment. ExxonMobil is developing carbon capture and other lower-emission businesses that should diversify its portfolio.
However, the investment case remains closely tied to volatile oil, gas, refining and chemical markets. Middle East disruptions add operating risk, including prolonged outages at Qatar LNG facilities, while Product Solutions results remain uneven. Earnings contribution of lithium and carbon-capture investments remains uncertain.
(You can read the full research report on ExxonMobil here >>>)
Smith-Midland's shares have underperformed the Zacks Building Products - Concrete and Aggregates industry over the past year (-22.2% vs. +11.2%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $155.16 million has its investment case centered on a shift toward higher-margin, recurring and asset-light revenue streams, supported by infrastructure demand.
Barrier rentals remain a core growth driver, with nine-month rental revenues surging 88% year over year despite Q3 normalization, benefiting from high utilization and margin-accretive MASH-compliant fleets. Proprietary SlenderWall contributed $1.1 million in Q3 after no prior-year sales, soundwalls grew 52% year over year, and Easi-Set modular buildings rose 50% year over year, capturing public and infrastructure projects.
Royalty income increased 13% year over year, providing scalable, high-margin IP monetization. Margins stayed resilient at 26.8% with disciplined cost control. A strong balance sheet supports continued investment. A $54.8-million backlog and government infrastructure tailwinds underpin visibility into 2026 growth.
(You can read the full research report on Smith-Midland here >>>)
Shares of Coffee have underperformed the Zacks Beverages - Soft drinks industry over the past year (-24.9% vs. +18.2%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $19.92 million offers exposure to specialty coffee demand through a scalable wholesale platform without retail risk, supported by broad sourcing and flexible blending that enhance supply continuity.
Coffee’s diversified model across green, roasted/packed coffee and equipment reduces reliance on any single channel while allowing demand shifts to be absorbed within a shared infrastructure. Growth is increasingly translating into operating leverage, driven by recurring customer activity and expanding private label programs that improve revenue visibility.
The business mitigates commodity volatility through sourcing flexibility and reduced dependence on trading gains, supporting more stable margins. Strengthening liquidity and disciplined capital allocation further enhance resilience and position the company to sustain growth while maintaining financial flexibility.
(You can read the full research report on Coffee here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include FedEx Corp. (FDX), Ubiquiti Inc. (UI) and The Kraft Heinz Co. (KHC).
Mark Vickery
Senior Editor
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>
Today's Must Read
Strong iPhone 17 & Services Growth to Aid Apple's (AAPL) Prospects
Featured Reports
FedEx (FDX) Gains From Cost-Cuts & Solid Liquidity Amid Demand Woes
The Zacks analyst weighs FedEx Corporation's cost cuts and solid liquidity against weak demand, tariff risks and soft shipping volumes to assess the stock's investment appeal.
Kraft Heinz (KHC) Benefits From Strategic Pricing Efforts
Per the Zacks analyst, Kraft Heinz is benefiting from pricing action. In the first quarter, pricing rose 0.8 percentage point year-over-year, driven by gains in each reportable segment.
Beverage-Can Demand Aids Crown Holdings (CCK) Amid Cost Pressures
Per the Zacks analyst, Crown Holdings' margins will gain from a global surge in beverage cans demand. However the ongoing raw-material cost pressures remain a headwind.
Healthy Demand & Buyouts Aid Macerich (MAC) Amid Tenant Bankrupticies
Per the Zacks analyst, Macerich gains on healthy tenant demand for premier mall spaces, capital recycling efforts and the expanded credit facility. Yet tenant bankruptcies and e-commerce adoption ail.
Insurance Growth, Inigo Deal and Capital Strength Drive Radian Group
Per the Zacks analyst, Radian's insurance growth, Inigo acquisition and capital strength support long-term growth, while housing affordability issues and pricing competition remain headwinds.
Strategic Investments, Customer Growth Aid American States Water (AWR)
Per the Zacks analyst, American States Water benefits from capital investments aimed at improving infrastructure. Acquisitions and organic growth are expanding the customer base, boosting demand.
Perrigo's (PRGO) Restructuring Helps; Macroeconomic Pressures Hurt
The Zacks analyst is encouraged by Perrigo's restructuring and supply chain initiatives, which are lowering costs and improving margins, but sales remain pressured by inflation and currency headwinds.
New Upgrades
Ubiquiti (UI) Rides on Strong Enterprise Technology Momentum
Per the Zacks analyst, strength in the Enterprise technology segment, backed by rising networking demand and increasing adoption of IoT-connected devices, will likely drive Ubiquiti's top line.
Improving Freight Scenario & Intermodal Growth Aid J.B. Hunt (JBHT)
The Zacks analyst is impressed by the betterment of the freight-related environment. Cost discipline and strong intermodal volumes also bode well.
Masco (MAS) Benefits From Brand Strength & Restructuring Efforts
Per the Zacks analyst, Masco benefits from the strength of its Behr Paint and Delta Faucet brands. Pricing actions, margin expansion initiatives and restructuring support long-term growth.
New Downgrades
Applied Digital Faces Debt and Concentration Risks Despite AI Demand
Per the Zacks analyst, Applied Digital faces headwinds from high debt and customer concentration despite long-duration leases and secular AI infrastructure demand.
Fierce Rivalry & Forex Woes Ail Align Technology's (ALGN) Growth
The Zacks analyst is worried about the ongoing entry of new players, which may dent Align Technology's strong Invisalign sales globally. Unfavorable currency movements is an added headwind.
Weakness in Process Automation Unit Hurts Honeywell (HON)
Per the Zacks analyst, Honeywell is experiencing softness in the Process Automation and Technology unit, due to lower refining catalyst shipments and project delays. Forex woes are an added concern.
7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days
Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."
Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention.
See them now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.