Waddell & Associates LLC Buys 4,158 Shares of PepsiCo, Inc. $PEP

Waddell & Associates LLC grew its position in PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) by 74.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 9,723 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,158 shares during the period. Waddell & Associates LLC’s holdings in PepsiCo were worth $1,366,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. JCIC Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in PepsiCo in the third quarter worth $27,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of PepsiCo in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC grew its position in PepsiCo by 107.1% during the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 234 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 121 shares during the period. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC increased its holdings in PepsiCo by 667.7% during the third quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 238 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Manning & Napier Advisors LLC bought a new stake in PepsiCo in the third quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors own 73.07% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of PepsiCo from $162.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, February 20th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on PepsiCo from $165.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Wall Street Zen lowered PepsiCo from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, December 27th. Rothschild & Co Redburn upped their price objective on shares of PepsiCo from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Evercore lifted their target price on shares of PepsiCo from $152.00 to $165.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, PepsiCo presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $168.00.

Key PepsiCo News

Here are the key news stories impacting PepsiCo this week:

• Positive Sentiment: PepsiCo raised its dividend again, extending a multi-decade streak and underscoring its cash-return commitment — a clear positive for income-focused investors and the stock’s yield narrative. PepsiCo raises dividend again to extend legendary streak
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: TD Cowen nudged its price target higher after management color on the turnaround strategy and 2026 outlook — small but supportive validation for the stock’s near-term thesis. TD Cowen Lifts PT on PepsiCo (PEP) to $165 From $162 – Here’s Why
• Positive Sentiment: Digital/AI momentum: coverage highlighting PepsiCo’s scaling of digital platforms and AI initiatives signals productivity and margin opportunities across marketing, supply chain and innovation — a strategic tailwind for growth and efficiency. PepsiCo’s Blueprint: How Scaling Digital Platforms Creates An AI Edge
• Positive Sentiment: Research report: a new enterprise-technology profile highlights PepsiCo’s tech initiatives, partnerships and e‑commerce growth opportunities — reinforcing the narrative that digital transformation can expand margins and address emerging channels. PepsiCo Enterprise Technology Analysis Report 2025
• Positive Sentiment: New product & brand extensions: launches like JACK LINK’S x DORITOS jerky, limited‑edition Super Mario Galaxy flavors, soups and other NPD broaden snack and beverage formats — helpful for RGM (revenue growth management) and shelf/occasion expansion. JACK LINK’S® AND PEPSICO® FOODS LAUNCH DORITOS® NACHO CHEESE FLAVORED BEEF JERKY AND MEAT STICKS
• Positive Sentiment: Sustainability-linked growth: partnerships (e.g., with National Geographic) and regenerative farming research support long-term COGS resilience and brand positioning in snacks — an ESG-driven growth signal. PepsiCo Ties Regenerative Farming Push To New Growth In Branded Snacks
• Neutral Sentiment: Functional products push: analyst pieces discuss PepsiCo’s move into functional snacks/drinks (health-forward SKUs) as a potential growth driver, but execution and scale will determine impact. Can Functional Snacks and Drinks Power PepsiCo’s Next Leg Up?
• Neutral Sentiment: Emerging market expansion: a retail partnership in Pakistan signals continued international distribution growth, a steady but incremental contributor to revenue. PepsiCo International Announces Strategic Partnership with Mehmood Pharmacy
• Negative Sentiment: Relative performance question: coverage noting PepsiCo has underperformed the Nasdaq over the past year could temper sentiment for growth-oriented investors and invites valuation comparisons to peers. Is PepsiCo Stock Underperforming the Nasdaq?

PepsiCo Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of PEP opened at $169.54 on Wednesday. PepsiCo, Inc. has a 1-year low of $127.60 and a 1-year high of $171.48. The company has a market capitalization of $231.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.26, a P/E/G ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.67. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $151.97 and its 200 day simple moving average is $148.37.

PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 2nd. The company reported $2.26 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.24 by $0.02. PepsiCo had a net margin of 8.77% and a return on equity of 57.92%. The firm had revenue of $29.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.96 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.96 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that PepsiCo, Inc. will post 8.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

PepsiCo Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a dividend of $1.4225 per share. This represents a $5.69 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. PepsiCo’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 94.83%.

PepsiCo declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Tuesday, February 3rd that authorizes the company to buyback $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 4.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

PepsiCo Company Profile

PepsiCo, Inc (NASDAQ: PEP) is a multinational food and beverage company headquartered in Purchase, New York. The company develops, manufactures, markets and sells a broad portfolio of branded food and beverage products, including carbonated and noncarbonated soft drinks, bottled water, sports drinks, juices, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, salty snacks, cereals, and other convenient foods. Its leading consumer brands include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Tropicana, Quaker, Lay’s, Doritos and Cheetos, among others.

Formed through the 1965 merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay, PepsiCo has grown into a global business with integrated manufacturing, distribution and marketing operations.