Kraft Heinz said it is pausing work on its previously planned separation into two companies, a strategic shift announced alongside fourth-quarter results and shortly after new CEO Steve Cahillane took the helm. Cahillane said that after joining five weeks earlier, he sees a bigger opportunity than expected and believes many challenges are fixable.

Berkshire Hathaway, Kraft Heinz's largest shareholder with a roughly 27.5% stake, endorsed the change. Berkshire CEO Greg Abel said the board's decision allows management to focus on strengthening competitiveness and serving customers.

Why markets care: The reversal re-frames the investment case for Kraft Heinz at a moment when investors have been weighing whether a breakup would unlock value. Corporate strategy decisions like splits, spin-offs and restructurings often move shares because they change growth, margin and capital-allocation expectations.

Buffett's earlier skepticism: The CNBC report notes Warren Buffett was unusually vocal when the split plan was first announced, calling it disappointing and suggesting that taking the company apart wouldn't necessarily fix the underlying issues.

Stock reaction: Kraft Heinz shares fell initially on the reversal news but rebounded and finished the week slightly higher, according to CNBC.

What to watch next: Investors will track execution on cost controls, brand and product strategy, and any further signals from Berkshire about its long-term ownership — particularly after regulatory filings earlier this year referenced the potential resale of a large portion of the stake.