Mcdonald Partners LLC Sells 7,566 Shares of PepsiCo, Inc. $PEP

Mcdonald Partners LLC lessened its holdings in PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) by 41.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 10,830 shares of the company’s stock after selling 7,566 shares during the period. Mcdonald Partners LLC’s holdings in PepsiCo were worth $1,521,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank bought a new stake in PepsiCo during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,330,594,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of PepsiCo by 14,420.2% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,890,688 shares of the company’s stock valued at $513,726,000 after buying an additional 3,863,893 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of PepsiCo by 9.7% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 29,031,404 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,833,406,000 after buying an additional 2,556,163 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in shares of PepsiCo by 19.5% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 15,577,073 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,056,797,000 after acquiring an additional 2,541,455 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its stake in PepsiCo by 112.6% during the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 4,040,079 shares of the company’s stock valued at $533,452,000 after acquiring an additional 2,139,847 shares in the last quarter. 73.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

PepsiCo Price Performance

Shares of PepsiCo stock opened at $164.91 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $225.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.85. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $153.98 and a 200-day moving average price of $149.07. PepsiCo, Inc. has a one year low of $127.60 and a one year high of $171.48.

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

PepsiCo declared that its board has approved a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, February 3rd that allows the company to buyback $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to reacquire up to 4.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

PepsiCo Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 6th will be issued a dividend of $1.4225 per share. This represents a $5.69 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. PepsiCo’s dividend payout ratio is presently 94.83%.

Key PepsiCo News

Here are the key news stories impacting PepsiCo this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Launched product innovation — PepsiCo unveiled a protein‑packed Doritos SKU, which supports the company’s strategy to pursue higher‑value, better‑for‑you snacking and could help volume/mix over time. PepsiCo unveils protein-packed Doritos
• Positive Sentiment: Legal win on benefits issue — PepsiCo beat a would‑be class action over a health plan smoker fee, removing one near‑term legal overhang and avoiding potential payouts or liability. PepsiCo Beats Would-be Class Suit Over Health Plan’s Smoker Fee
• Positive Sentiment: Strategic/financial tailwinds highlighted — coverage and commentary (Zacks, and other outlets) continue to portray PEP as a strong growth stock based on diversification and brand strength; that supports longer‑term investor demand. Here’s Why PepsiCo (PEP) is a Strong Growth Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Capital allocation/price target update — RBC raised its price target to $165 but kept a “sector perform” rating, signaling limited near‑term upside even as some analysts tweak estimates. PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) Given New $165.00 Price Target at Royal Bank Of Canada
• Neutral Sentiment: Management moves — an internal marketing promotion (Rajat Paul elevated to marketing manager, global canisters & imports) is a routine corporate update that has limited direct stock impact but signals continuity in brand execution. PepsiCo elevates Rajat Paul to marketing manager- Global canisters & imports
• Negative Sentiment: New shareholder litigation/investigation — an investor alert says law firm Scott+Scott is investigating PepsiCo’s directors and officers for alleged breach of fiduciary duties, a development that raises governance risk and potential legal costs or distraction. PEPSICO, INC. INVESTOR ALERT: Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP Investigates PepsiCo, Inc.’s Directors and Officers for Breach of Fiduciary Duties – PEP
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory/regime uncertainty fueling lawsuits — recent reporting on a shift in SEC enforcement policy has coincided with more investor lawsuits (PepsiCo named among targets), increasing regulatory uncertainty and the risk of additional shareholder actions. Analysis-Trump’s SEC gave companies more power over investors. Lawsuits pushed them back
• Negative Sentiment: Industry demand risk flagged — coverage of peers (MarketBeat on SJM) highlights investor concern around GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs and potential structural pressure on indulgent snack volumes, a thematic risk that investors are watching for PepsiCo’s snacks franchise. SJM Surges 9%, But Hostess Weakness Clouds Outlook (PEP)

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PEP has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of PepsiCo from $156.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on PepsiCo from $154.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $190.00 price target on shares of PepsiCo in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Evercore lifted their price objective on PepsiCo from $152.00 to $165.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of PepsiCo from $162.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, February 20th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $168.50.

About PepsiCo

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.