Food giant Kraft Heinz's largest shareholder, Berkshire Hathaway, may soon complete a near-total divestment. This transaction will mark the end of one of Warren Buffett's most closely watched food investments.
According to regulatory documents submitted by Kraft Heinz to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Berkshire Hathaway has registered to sell up to 325.4 million shares of the company. According to FactSet data, Berkshire currently holds 325.6 million shares of the company, meaning this divestment nearly covers its entire position.
After the news was announced, Kraft Heinz's stock price plummeted 4.9% in after-hours trading. Investors' concerns about the future of this food company, once regarded as a model of value investment, have deepened.
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Berkshire Hathaway holds over 27% of Kraft Heinz's shares, making it the company's largest shareholder. The disclosure of this divestment plan comes months after Kraft Heinz announced its split plan.
<h2>Performance Pressure Leads to Split, Reversal of 2015 Super Merger</h2>
Kraft Heinz has faced operational challenges in recent years. In September, the company announced it would split into two independent companies. This decision means that the super merger between Kraft and Heinz, facilitated in 2015, will be reversed. That transaction was once sensational, bringing together two of the most well-known brands in the American food industry.
Kraft Heinz owns iconic products such as Heinz ketchup and Kraft macaroni and cheese.
Berkshire Hathaway's long-time leader Buffett stated in September that Kraft Heinz's split plan would be costly and destructive. Greg Abel, who took over as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in January, also made it clear to Kraft Heinz representatives that the investment group does not support the split plan.

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Berkshire Hathaway plans to sell 325.4 million shares of Kraft Heinz stock, nearly a complete divestment, marking the end of this iconic investment from the Buffett era. Kraft Heinz's stock price plummeted 4.9% in after-hours trading. This move comes as the company faces performance pressures and attempts to reverse the 2015 mega-merger, implementing a spin-off plan, which Berkshire's management has repeatedly expressed opposition to

- Berkshire Hathaway, the largest shareholder of Kraft Heinz, is likely to complete a significant sell-off of nearly all its shares, totaling up to 325.4 million.  
- Following the announcement, Kraft Heinz's stock dropped by 4.9% in after-hours trading, reflecting investor concerns about the company's future.  
- This move comes months after Kraft Heinz revealed its plan to split into two independent companies, a decision that marks the end of its 2015 merger and raises doubts about the brand's prospects.

Berkshire plans to "liquidate" its holdings in Kraft Heinz! Registered to sell 325 million shares, the company's stock price plummets