Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) shares are surging on Tuesday as the company disclosed a definitive deal with Intersnack Group to take Utz private for an enterprise value of $2.9 billion.
As per the deal, Intersnack will acquire all outstanding shares of Utz’s Class A common stock for $14.25 per share in cash. This represented a premium of approximately 91% over the closing price from July 20, 2026.
Utz To Go Private
The transaction will be financed through approximately $920 million in cash from Intersnack Group, borrowings under a new $1.1 billion term loan facility, and a new $250 million asset-based lending (ABL) facility.
Funding will also include rollover equity from the Rice and Lissette Family, along with the reinvestment of a portion of proceeds from the $44 million settlement of the Company’s tax receivable agreement related to the transaction.
Notably, the Rice and Lissette Family, Dylan Lissette, and certain affiliates have agreed to support the transaction by voting their shares in favor of the deal. The committed shares represent approximately 42% of Utz’s outstanding common stock.
This transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and shareholder votes.
Post-deal closure, the Rice and Lissette Family will retain a significant ownership stake, with both parties owning 50% of Utz post-transaction, which aims to enhance Utz’s growth potential in the U.S. snack market.
UTZ Earnings Preview And Analyst Ratings
The countdown is on: Utz is set to report earnings on August 5, 2026 (confirmed).
- EPS Estimate: 18 cents (Up from 17 cents YoY)
- Revenue Estimate: $374.53 Million (Up from $366.70 Million YoY)
Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions: The stock carries a Buy rating with an average price forecast of $9.33. Recent analyst moves include:
- UBS: Neutral (Lowers Target to $8.00) (July 16)
- Barclays: Overweight (Lowers Target to $10.00) (April 15)
- BTIG: Initiated with Buy (Target $10.00) (April 14)
UTZ Technical Outlook After Buyout News
The stock’s recent surge comes after a prolonged downtrend, with a 12-month performance decline of nearly 47%. Currently, Utz is trading significantly above its moving averages, with the price approximately 83.8% above its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) of $7.63 and 89.4% above its 50-day SMA of $7.40.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 47.12, indicating a neutral momentum, suggesting that while the stock is experiencing upward movement, it is not yet overbought. This could imply that there is still room for further gains if the momentum continues.
- Key Resistance: $14.25 — this level is critical as it represents the acquisition price set by Intersnack Group.
- Key Support: $12.00 — a nearby level where buyers previously stepped in, indicating potential support.
What Utz Brands (UTZ) Makes And Key Snack Brands
Utz Brands is a manufacturer of branded salty snacks based in the United States. It produces various salty snack foods, including potato chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, cheese snacks, party mixes, pork skins, ready-to-eat popcorn, and other snacks, which include salsa and dips. These products are offered through its flagship brands like Utz, On The Border, Zapp’s, and Boulder Canyon, along with other brands, including Golden Flake, Miguelito’s, Hawaiian, Bachman, Tim’s Cascade, Dirty Potato Chips, TGI Fridays, and Vitner’s.
The recent acquisition news is significant as it indicates a strategic move to enhance Utz’s market position and access to resources for growth. With Intersnack’s extensive experience in the snack industry, this partnership could lead to innovative product development and expanded market reach.
How Utz Ranks On Momentum And Value
Below is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for Utz Brands, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:
- Momentum: Weak (Score: 7.66) — Stock is showing weak performance indicators.
- Value: Weak (Score: 28.06) — Trading at a steep premium relative to peers.
The Verdict: Utz Brands’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a weak profile, particularly in momentum and value, indicating challenges in sustaining its recent price surge. Investors should monitor upcoming earnings and the impact of the acquisition on future performance.
UTZ Price Action: Utz Brands shares were up 88.93% at $14.07 at the time of publication on Tuesday. The stock is approaching its 52-week high of $14.67, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo via Shutterstock
