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Age discrimination survey closing Friday

Gary Foster Skelton
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Age discrimination survey closing Friday

The Human Rights Commission is reminding the public about their age discrimination survey that closes on Friday

Overseas stock image

The Human Rights Commission is reminding the public about their age discrimination survey that closes on Friday.

The HRC wants to understand people’s experiences – especially in the workplace.

Lisa Reed, Executive Director of the HRC, says the consultation will inform the Commission’s recommendation to include age as a protected ground in the area of employment and the workplace within the Human Rights Act.

The 20 minute survey is open to everyone between 18 and 81, and can be taken online at humanrights.bm, or a hard copy is available at the HRC headquarters on Victoria Street.

Lisa Reed spoke to us about the issue last month, and raised questions over the ethics of the statutory retirement age.

Human Rights Commission Press Release:

The Human Rights Commission today reminded the public to complete the Age
Discrimination survey.
According to Lisa Reed, Executive Officer of the Human Rights Commission, “The
Human Rights Commission is conducting a public consultation on age discrimination to
understand lived experiences, views and perspectives, including in the workplace and in
other areas of life in Bermuda. Members of the public are encouraged to complete the
survey.
“The consultation will inform the Commission’s recommendation to include age as a
protected ground in the area of employment and the workplace within the Human Rights
Act, 1981. Age is protected in some areas of life under the Human Rights Act, but not in
employment. This consultation focuses on that gap.
“The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous and the
results will support the Commission’s advocacy and education work to address
ageism and prevent age-based discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
Everyone between 18 and 81, and beyond, is encouraged to complete the survey. You
can visit our website at www.humanrights.bm to complete the survey or call the office for
a hard copy.”
Ms. Reed added, “In addition to the survey, The Human Rights Commission will be
hosting a Community Conversation on Friday, February 20, starting at 9:30am. The
objectives of the Conversation are:

  • To create a space to promote inter-generational conversations, understanding and
    learning about the impact of ageism and age discrimination in Bermuda;
  • To provide opportunities, in a safe, inclusive environment, for people to gather and
    develop a framework to create an inclusive society for all, regardless of age; and
  • To build advocacy around an age-inclusive country.

    “The public is encouraged to RSVP by going to our website, www.humanrights.bm”

French government alerts prosecutor to diplomat with Epstein ties

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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French government alerts prosecutor to diplomat with Epstein ties

The name of Fabrice Aidan appears in more than 200 documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice, including emails he sent to Epstein between 2010 and 2016 from both his personal and U.N. accounts

International News via Reuters:

France’s foreign minister has notified prosecutors about a middle-ranking French diplomat who had ties to Jeffrey Epstein and is suspected of transferring United Nations documents to the late convicted sex offender.  

The name of Fabrice Aidan appears in more than 200 documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice, including emails he sent to Epstein between 2010 and 2016 from both his personal and U.N. accounts.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said his ministry had initiated its own administrative investigation and disciplinary proceedings against Aidan, and described the allegations as “extremely serious.”

Prosecutors in Paris will decide whether to open a criminal investigation.

Reuters was unable to reach Aidan for comment via his X handle. His LinkedIn account appeared to have been deleted, Reuters’ online searches found. 

The U.N. documents in question include U.N. Security Council briefings and reports. A readout of a call between former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Turkey’s foreign minister that Aidan sent to a superior was then forwarded to Epstein. 

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the allegations of corruption and disclosure of confidential information would be addressed “in accordance with the organization’s legal and policy framework.”

“It goes without saying that the sharing of confidential information without express authority to do so is against procedure,” Dujarric told Reuters in an emailed statement.

CODE TO EPSTEIN’S PARIS APARTMENT

“These emails, including the transfer of U.N. documents, are staggering,” Barrot told RTL radio. He said he had learned of Aidan’s actions on Tuesday via a report published by French investigative website Mediapart.     

In one email exchange, Aidan asked Epstein whether he could have the entrance codes to the financier’s luxury apartment in Paris – a request Epstein responded to favourably.

Aidan joined the Foreign Ministry around 2000. He is identified by the ministry as a “principal secretary of foreign affairs currently on personal leave and working outside the ministry.” 

Gerard Araud, France’s ambassador to the United States at the time, said on X that he had sent Aidan back to France. He did not say why but referred to the existence of an FBI file on Aidan, of which he gave no details.

His work at the ministry included a secondment at U.N. headquarters in New York from 2006 to 2013. At the time of his resignation from the secondment, a disciplinary process against him was under way, Dujarric said.

MACRON ‘APPALLED’ BY FINDINGS 

President Emmanuel Macron is “appalled by the recent findings,” a source close to the French leader said.

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said “judicial bodies must take up this case if they so wish. All light must be shed on this appalling and far-reaching affair.”

The release of a cache of new files in the U.S. this year has revealed a host of new Epstein connections with politicians, royals and the ultra-rich across Europe and the U.S.

In France, former Culture Minister Jack Lang stepped down from the Arab World Institute, a Foreign Ministry-backed cultural organisation, after his name appeared hundreds of times in the documents. 

Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro and John Irish; Additional reporting by Dominique Vidalon and Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Richard Lough, Timothy Heritage, Rod Nickel

El Paso flights resume after US anti-drone system prompts sudden shutdown

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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El Paso flights resume after US anti-drone system prompts sudden shutdown

The sudden closure of the nation’s 71st busiest airport by the Federal Aviation Administration stranded air travelers and disrupted medical evacuation flights overnight

International News via Reuters:

Flights in and out of the Texas border city of El Paso resumed on Wednesday, after bureaucratic infighting over a secretive military anti-drone system prompted the Trump administration to ban air traffic for more than seven hours. 

The sudden closure of the nation’s 71st busiest airport by the Federal Aviation Administration stranded air travelers and disrupted medical evacuation flights overnight. The FAA initially said the closure would last 10 days, in what would have been an unprecedented action involving a single airport.

Government and airline officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the FAA closed the airspace due to concerns that a laser-based counter-drone system being tested by the U.S. Army could pose risks to air traffic. The two agencies planned to discuss the issue later this month but the Army opted to proceed without FAA approval, sources said.

The FAA lifted its restrictions after the Army agreed to more safety tests before using the system, which is housed at Fort Bliss, next to El Paso International Airport.

The White House was surprised by the El Paso airspace closure, according to two sources speaking on condition of anonymity, touching off a scramble among law enforcement agencies to figure out what happened.

The FAA lifted the restrictions shortly after the situation was discussed in the office of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, the sources said.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who oversees the FAA, said the closure had been prompted by a drone incursion by a Mexican drug cartel. However, a drone sighting near an airport would typically lead to a brief pause on traffic, not an extended closure, and the Pentagon says there are more than 1,000 such incidents each month along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The move had stranded numerous aircraft from Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines at the airport, which handles about 4 million passengers annually.

El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson said the FAA did not reach out to the airport, the police chief or other local officials before shutting down the airspace. 

“I want to be very, very clear that this should have never happened,” he said at a news conference.

The U.S. official in charge of airport security, Transportation Security Administration Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill, also told Congress that she had not been notified. 

“That’s a problem,” said Republican Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas, who said there are daily drone incursions along the U.S.-Mexico border.

AIRLINES CAUGHT OFF GUARD

Airlines were also caught off-guard by the early Wednesday announcement. Southwest Airlines said the effects should be minimal for its 23 daily departures scheduled.

“FAA has not exactly acquitted itself credibly, objectively, or professionally,” said Bob Mann, an airline industry consultant. “The question should be, do we get an explanation?”

Trump has repeatedly threatened to deploy U.S. military force against Mexican drug cartels, which have used drones to carry out surveillance and attacks on civilian and government infrastructure, according to U.S. and Mexican security sources. 

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said at her daily news conference that her administration would try to find out what exactly happened but had no information about drone traffic along the border.

Tensions between the U.S. and regional leaders have ramped up since the Trump administration mounted a large-scale military buildup in the southern Caribbean, attacked Venezuela and seized its president, Nicolas Maduro, in a military operation. The FAA curbed flights throughout the Caribbean after the attack, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights. 

Reporting by David Shepardson and Idrees Ali in Washington and Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Steve Holland, Doyinsola Oladipo, Raul Cortes Fernandez, Idrees Ali, Laura Gottesdiener, Andy Sullivan; writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Nick Zieminski, Franklin Paul, Andrea Ricci and Nia Williams

Ben Smith, New OBA Leader – Extended Interview

Gary Foster Skelton
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Ben Smith, New OBA Leader – Extended Interview

In an extended interview, new OBA Leader Ben Smith says he’s willing to sacrifice political gain for the betterment of the country, cites the creation of CedarBridge as an example of poor planning, and commits his parliamentary team to ongoing transparency… and, of course, presents his case as to why displacing his predecessor Robert King was a necessary ‘correction’.

UK’s Reeves says deeper ties with EU is the ‘biggest prize’

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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UK’s Reeves says deeper ties with EU is the ‘biggest prize’

Reeves said Britain’s future was inextricably bound with that of Europe on both the economy and security

International News via Reuters:

British finance minister Rachel Reeves said on Wednesday that she would push for closer integration with the EU to reduce the trade barriers put up by Brexit, adding that European countries should cooperate on defence spending too.

Speaking during a week when Prime Minister Keir Starmer has had to fight to stay in power due to fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, Reeves said Britain’s future was inextricably bound with that of Europe on both the economy and security.

“The biggest prize is clearly with the EU. The truth is economic gravity is reality. Almost half of our trade is with the European Union,” Reeves said at an event at the London School of Economics.

“I’m all up for doing deals with India and the U.S. and Korea. But none of them are going to be as big as what we can get to grow trade relations with Europe,” she said.

Reeves said deeper integration would require further alignment with the EU on issues such as rules and standards “but I’m up for that.”

Since leaving the EU in 2020, Britain has sought to lower some barriers to trade but it has trod carefully, wary of angering supporters of the Brexit decision to leave the bloc in a 2016 referendum.

However, Reeves and Starmer are also trying to show voters and restless Labour lawmakers that they can honour their promises to galvanise Britain’s sluggish economy.

Reeves last year said Britain’s trading relationship with Europe was “arguably even more important” than its ties with the United States, due to the country’s proximity to the EU.

On Wednesday she also said cooperation with European countries on defence spending was vital, saying they could improve value for money by working together in areas such as interoperability and procurement.

“Many European finance ministers and defence ministers are keen to seize the opportunities there. And I hope that in the coming weeks there’s more to say on that,” Reeves said.

Starmer has previously said his government will consider applying to join a second possible multi-billion-euro European Union fund for defence projects.

A British plan to join the original 150 billion euro ($178.25 billion) SAFE fund broke down in November after the government refused to pay a financial contribution to join, representing a setback for the post-Brexit reset of relations.

($1 = 0.8415 euros)

Writing by William SchombergEditing by Gareth Jones

Serious collision involving two motorcycles

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Serious collision involving two motorcycles

There’s been a serious collision involving two motorcycles along North Shore Road near Shelley Bay Beach, according to Police.

As of 4pm, the traffic flow has been restricted and motorist are being redirected to Harrington Sound Road to avoid the collision site while officers process the scene.

Both riders were treated at the scene for potentially serious injuries and transported to hospital via ambulance.

We’ll have more details on the condition of the riders when the information becomes available. 

Young inventors share their ideas

Qian Dickinson
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Young inventors share their ideas

Students at Northland Primary showcase their creativity and innovation

Today is National Inventors Day, celebrated annually on February 11th to honor inventors of the past, recognize the creators of the present, and to encourage future innovators.

Qian Dickinson stopped by Northlands Primary School to view their incredible student exhibition to mark the occasion.

Artists invited to design Bermuda’s baton for Commonwealth Games

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Artists invited to design Bermuda’s baton for Commonwealth Games

BOA President: “This is a unique opportunity for Bermudian artists to leave their mark on Commonwealth Games history.”

The Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) today announced an exciting opportunity for local artists to participate in the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games King’s Baton Relay. The BOA is inviting design submissions to be used on Bermuda’s unique baton, celebrating three distinctive themes: Culture, Nature, and Sport.

For the 2026 Glasgow Games, Commonwealth Sport has asked each country to design their own baton, rather than the traditional single baton traversing the member countries in advance of the Games. Bermuda’s baton will showcase the island’s artistic talent and embody the values that make us unique. The three-sided batons were designed and handmade in Glasgow from sustainably sourced ash wood by craftsman Tim Norman. The relay began at Buckingham Palace in March 2025 and will be celebrated in Bermuda April 26th through May 1st.

“This is a unique opportunity for Bermudian artists to leave their mark on Commonwealth Games history,” said BOA President Peter Dunne. “We want our baton to reflect the spirit of Bermuda — our athletic excellence, our rich cultural heritage, and our stunning natural
beauty.”

Competition Details
Artists are invited to submit original designs using the design template, representing one of
three themes:

  • Sport — Celebrating athletic achievement and competitive excellence
  • Culture — Honoring Bermuda’s traditions, heritage, and artistic expression
  • Nature — Showcasing the island’s natural environment and biodiversity

The BOA will select one design from each theme, with the chosen artists applying their work on the baton. Selected artists will be publicly announced at an unveiling ceremony on April 27.

Key Dates

  • Entry Deadline: March 11
  • Artist Selection: March 18
  • Baton Decoration Period: March 20 – April 20
  • Official Unveiling: April 27

How to Enter

Interested artists should visit the BOA website www.olympics.bm or contact equipintern@olympics.bm to obtain the technical specifications and competition guidelines. Entries must be submitted by March 11, 2026.

The competition is open to all Bermuda residents, and the BOA particularly encourages submissions from local artists and organizations.

European companies cut jobs 

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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European companies cut jobs 

Several European companies have frozen hiring or cut jobs over the past year, citing difficult economic conditions exacerbated by U.S. tariffs

International News via Reuters:

Several European companies have frozen hiring or cut jobs over the past year, citing difficult economic conditions exacerbated by U.S. tariffs.

Here are some of the companies that announced layoffs:

CAR AND CAR PARTS MAKERS

* BOSCH: The German home appliance manufacturer will cut 13,000 jobs, it said on September 25.

* CONTINENTAL: The German tire maker plans to cut 1,500 additional jobs at its ContiTech rubber and plastics division, a works council source said on November 24, on top of the 10,000 job cuts announced group-wide in restructuring efforts.

* DAIMLER TRUCK: The truckmaker confirmed media reports on August 1 that it would cut 2,000 jobs across its plants in the U.S. and Mexico, on top of the previously announced 5,000 job cuts in Germany.

* MAN: The German truckmaker plans to cut around 2,300 jobs over the next decade, a spokesperson said on November 20.

* RENAULT: The French carmaker confirmed on October 4 it was planning cost cuts but said it had no figures to report yet, after a newsletter reported it would cut 3,000 jobs by year-end in support services at its headquarters and other locations worldwide.

BANKS

* LLOYDS: The British bank will consider the dismissal of around half of 3,000 staff to cut costs, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on September 4.

* ABN AMRO: The Dutch bank plans to cut 5,200 jobs by 2028, it said on November 25.

ENERGY

* OMV: The Austrian oil and gas company plans to cut 2,000 positions, or a twelfth of its global workforce, the Kurier newspaper reported on September 4.

SEMICONDUCTORS

* AMS OSRAM: The Austrian semiconductor supplier and sensor maker will launch a cost-cutting programme that will affect about 2,000 employees, it said on February 10.

* ASML : The Dutch chip equipment maker said on January 28 it would cut 1,700 jobs, some 3.8% of its staff, as part of a broader plan to shed 3,000 management posts and hire engineers to focus on innovation.

INDUSTRIALS AND ENGINEERING

* SIKA : The Swiss industrial and construction chemicals maker said on October 24 it would cut up to 1,500 jobs in persistently weak markets such as China.

* THYSSENKRUPP: The German industrial group’s steel division said on December 1 it had agreed with the IG Metall union to cut or outsource about 11,000 jobs, or 40% of its workforce, in an agreement lasting until 2030.

* WACKER CHEMIE: The German chemical company said on November 27 it would cut more than 1,500 jobs, or around 9% of its workforce, by the end of 2026, blaming high energy costs and bureaucratic red tape in Germany.

CONSUMER GOODS

* BURBERRY: The British luxury brand will shed 1,700 jobs or around a fifth of its global workforce, it said on May 14.

* HEINEKEN: The Dutch brewer will cut up to 6,000 jobs globally over the next two years as strained consumer finances, bad weather and geopolitical tensions take their toll, it said on February 11.

* NESTLE: The group will cut 16,000 jobs, or 5.8% of its staff, it said on October 16.

OTHERS

* ERICSSON – The Swedish telecommunications equipment maker will cut some 1,600 jobs in Sweden, it said on January 15, as it weathers a prolonged downturn in telecoms spending.

* LUFTHANSA: The German airline group said on September 28 it would cut 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030.

* KUEHNE+NAGEL: The Swiss freight forwarder will target 1,500 jobs under a cost-cutting programme to combat margin pressures and overcapacity, it said on October 23.

* NOVO NORDISK: The Danish pharmaceutical company will cut 9,000 jobs globally, it said on September 10.

* ORSTED: The Danish wind power group said on October 9 it would cut around 2,000 jobs by the end of 2027, a quarter of its workforce.

* TELEFONICA : The Spanish telecoms company will cut more than 4,500 jobs in Spain, union representatives said on December 17 following negotiations.

Sources: Regulatory filings, Reuters reporting and company websites

Compiled by Boleslaw Lasocki, Bernadette Hogg and Mireia Merino in Gdansk; Edited by Matt Scuffham, Helen Reid, Milla Nissi-Prussak and Anna Pruchnicka

Bermudian basketball player thriving in the U.K.

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Bermudian basketball player thriving in the U.K.

Teesside University in the U.K. is rapidly cementing its status as a premier destination for elite student-athletes, with a basketball programme that seamlessly marries academic excellence with high-octane sporting opportunities.

“I am getting access to basketball almost every day of the week, and playing nearly sixty games a season,” says Bermudian A.J. Harris, a standout recruit.

Now in its seventh year of a fruitful partnership with the Teesside Lions, the programme remains unbeaten this season, offering a formidable platform for players aiming to climb the ranks while securing a world-class degree.

 The collaboration with the Lions—who currently compete in National League Division One—provides a unique “dual-pathway” for participants. Student-athletes don’t just represent the university; they are integrated into a system that competes across both the National League and the Durham Regional League.

 At the heart of Teesside’s unbeaten run is Harris, a dynamic playmaker who has lived up to his billing as the programme’s “standout recruit”. On the court, his impact is undeniable; in a recent 112-56 demolition of East Cleveland, Harris led the scoring with 22 points, helping the side maintain their charge for the league title and a County Cup semi-final berth.

Off the court, Harris is pursuing a degree in Animation—a field in which Teesside is nationally recognised as a leader.

“Animation is a passion of mine, and I was instantly attracted to Teesside because of the basketball opportunity and the reputation for animation,” Harris explained. “The facilities are incredible. I have access to professional-level equipment and studios.”

The Teesside model represents a growing trend in UK higher education, where sports programmes are no longer just extracurricular activities but professional-grade developmental hubs. For players like Harris, the combination of high-level coaching and academic rigour is a “dream scenario”.

As the Lions hunt for silverware in the second half of the season, the university’s reputation as a creative and athletic powerhouse continues to grow, providing a blueprint for how to balance the books with the box scores.

Swiss central bank backs tougher banking regulations for Switzerland

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Swiss central bank backs tougher banking regulations for Switzerland

The Swiss government in June proposed measures to prevent future banking crises following the 2023 collapse of Credit Suisse, which could make UBS hold up to $24 billion in extra capital

International News via Reuters:

The Swiss National Bank has reiterated its support for government proposals to make Switzerland’s banking sector more secure after the meltdown of Credit Suisse, vice chairman Antoine Martin said on Wednesday.

The Swiss government in June proposed measures to prevent future banking crises following the 2023 collapse of Credit Suisse, which could make UBS hold up to $24 billion in extra capital.

Martin, speaking at an event in Paris, said the SNB supported the measures which include a requirement for big banks to prepare sufficient collateral to access central bank liquidity if needed.

Other proposals include that UBS can no longer count software and deferred tax assets towards its Common Equity Tier 1 capital, whiles its foreign units must be fully backed with CET1 capital.

The proposals have been rejected by UBS, which said they would make Switzerland less competitive.

The government is set to publish its final proposals soon, with UBS expecting more clarity in the next two to three months, the bank’s CEO Sergio Ermotti said earlier this week.

Reporting by John Revill, editing by Ariane Luthi

Kraft Heinz pauses split, new CEO says problems are ‘fixable’

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Kraft Heinz pauses split, new CEO says problems are ‘fixable’

The packaged-foods maker announced plans to split into two in September – one focused on groceries and the other on sauces and spreads

International News via Reuters:

Kraft Heinz has halted efforts to split the company, in a surprise move that new CEO Steve Cahillane said was necessary due to deteriorating conditions in the food industry, though he called the challenges “fixable and within our control.”

The packaged-foods maker announced plans to split into two in September – one focused on groceries and the other on sauces and spreads – after failing to achieve the kind of growth expected when the company was formed a decade ago under a merger orchestrated by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital.

Kraft Heinz has lost out to rivals, with Cahillane saying a recent spate of price hikes alienated consumers who were already straying from its brands in favor of healthier alternatives at a lower cost. 

“We busted through four or five levels of price points in a very accelerated fashion and the consumer was left very disappointed in that,” Cahillane said on a post-earnings call.

Shares were little changed on Wednesday after earlier falling about 5%.

“My number one priority is returning the business to profitable growth, which will require ensuring all resources are fully focused on the execution of our operating plan,” said Cahillane, who took charge in January.

While Cahillane did not rule out the possibility of a split in the future, he said there was no end date for the pause, which is expected to save the company $300 million in costs in 2026.

Kraft Heinz had expected to close the spinoff at the end of 2026 and brought on industry veteran and former Kellogg boss Cahillane to guide it through the split.

“The company’s decision to table/postpone separation plans and instead accelerate reinvestment reveals deeper problems than previously acknowledged by the company,” said Steve Powers, analyst at Deutsche Bank.

NEXT STEPS TO PROFITABLE GROWTH

Cahillane outlined his strategy to restore the company to profitable growth.

He said Kraft Heinz would focus on marketing and research with a $600 million investment to drive recovery in its U.S. business, where market conditions have worsened since the decision to split last summer.

Kraft Heinz, like other packaged foods companies, has been struggling with weak demand for its pricier condiments and pantry staples as consumers look for cheaper options, but has also lost out to rivals due to a lack of innovation.

“To turn this around, we are increasing investments in R&D by approximately 20% in 2026 compared to 2025,” Cahillane said, adding that the product innovation would also circle nutrition and value.

He also acknowledged that in the past few quarters the company raised prices to combat inflation but did not provide consumers additional benefits for the higher price tag and will now look to offer more affordable products.

Snacks giant PepsiCo last week said it had cut prices on key snacks such as Lay’s and Doritos in the U.S. after consumer backlash against higher prices.

RARE REVERSAL FOR CORPORATE SPLITS

Kraft Heinz is among the few companies to reverse a major breakup, as only about one in 10 corporate spinoffs are canceled on average, according to a 2022 report by KPMG.

In January, Kraft Heinz’s shares tumbled after it disclosed that Berkshire Hathaway may sell its 27.5% stake in the company and exit a more than decade-old investment that did not work out for Buffett.

Berkshire and the office of Greg Abel – Buffett’s successor at the company – did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Kraft Heinz’s decision to pause its split.

“The original rationale was to unlock shareholder value, but with multiple parts of the business now facing operational and demand challenges, a separation may not have delivered the value management initially envisioned,” Arun Sundaram, analyst with CFRA Research, said.

CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT

The company reported fourth-quarter results on Wednesday that fell short of estimates and forecast 2026 earnings below expectations as it lost out to cheaper rivals.

It expects 2026 organic net sales to fall between 1.5% and 3.5% and expects annual profit between $1.98 and $2.10 per share, below analysts’ estimate of $2.49 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG. 

“We were of the belief that Kraft Heinz should position 2026 as an investment year. And, indeed, it has now done so, for which we give the company credit. That said, the magnitude of the investment implies meaningful (earnings) downside,” BNP Paribas Equity analysts said. 

Reporting by Juveria Tabassum, Anuja Bharat Mistry and Angela Christy in Bengaluru; Writing by Aishwarya Venugopal; Editing by Pooja Desai and Saumyadeb Chakrabarty

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