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Income Investors: Should You Consider Kraft Heinz Before the Ex-Dividend Date?

Eli GrantSunday, Nov 24, 2024 8:40 am ET
6min read
As an income investor, you're always on the lookout for reliable dividend-paying stocks to add to your portfolio. One company that has consistently paid dividends is The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC), a multinational food and beverage conglomerate. But should you consider adding KHC to your list before its next ex-dividend date? Let's analyze the company's dividend history, yield, and sustainability to help you make an informed decision.



**Dividend History and Yield**

Kraft Heinz has a solid track record of paying dividends. Since 2012, the company has maintained an annual dividend of $0.50 to $1.60 per share. The current annual dividend stands at $1.60 per share, with a quarterly payout of $0.40. This results in an attractive dividend yield of approximately 5.03%, according to StockAnalysis.com.



**Dividend Sustainability**

To ensure the sustainability of Kraft Heinz's dividend, it's essential to consider the company's financial performance and payout ratio. KHC's payout ratio, which represents the proportion of earnings paid out as dividends, has been around 60% over the past five years. This indicates a balanced approach to dividend payments and reinvestment in the business.

In addition, Kraft Heinz has demonstrated consistent revenue and earnings growth. In 2023, the company reported net sales growth of 0.6% and diluted EPS growth of 20.9%. These positive financial results suggest that Kraft Heinz's dividend is sustainable in the short to medium term.



**Risks and Challenges**

While Kraft Heinz offers an attractive dividend yield, income investors should be aware of the potential risks and challenges facing the company. KHC operates in a highly competitive food industry, with intense competition from private label brands and other major players. Additionally, the company's focus on cost-cutting measures, such as plant closures and layoffs, may negatively impact its product quality and reputation. Lastly, KHC's exposure to emerging markets poses currency risk, which could impact its revenue and earnings.

**Ex-Dividend Date and Investor Action**

Kraft Heinz's next ex-dividend date is scheduled for November 29, 2024. If you're considering adding KHC to your portfolio, it's essential to understand that the stock price may drop by the amount of the dividend on the ex-dividend date. This is because the dividend is paid out of the company's earnings, and the stock price reflects the value of the company's future earnings. As an income investor, you should focus on the dividend yield and the company's financial stability rather than the short-term stock price movements.



In conclusion, Kraft Heinz offers an attractive dividend yield and has a solid track record of dividend payments. The company's financial performance and payout ratio suggest that its dividend is sustainable in the short to medium term. However, income investors should be aware of the potential risks and challenges facing KHC and consider the company's competitive position and currency risk. If you're an income investor looking for a reliable dividend-paying stock, Kraft Heinz may be worth considering before its next ex-dividend date.
Disclaimer: the above is a summary showing certain market information. AInvest is not responsible for any data errors, omissions or other information that may be displayed incorrectly as the data is derived from a third party source. Communications displaying market prices, data and other information available in this post are meant for informational purposes only and are not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Please do your own research when investing. All investments involve risk and the past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Keep in mind that while diversification may help spread risk, it does not assure a profit, or protect against loss in a down market.