PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) Trading Up 0.1% – Here’s Why

PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) shares rose 0.1% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $155.34 and last traded at $154.36. Approximately 1,278,635 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 82% from the average daily volume of 7,112,405 shares. The stock had previously closed at $154.19.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PEP has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of PepsiCo from $158.00 to $153.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on shares of PepsiCo from $184.00 to $178.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of PepsiCo from $185.00 to $168.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Piper Sandler began coverage on PepsiCo in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $171.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on PepsiCo from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $171.47.

PepsiCo Stock Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $148.71 and a 200 day moving average of $161.20. The company has a market cap of $212.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.25, a P/E/G ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.05.

PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The company reported $1.96 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.94 by $0.02. PepsiCo had a net margin of 10.43% and a return on equity of 58.87%. The firm had revenue of $27.78 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $27.89 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.78 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was down .2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that PepsiCo, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current year.

PepsiCo Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 7th will be given a dividend of $1.355 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 7th. This represents a $5.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.51%. PepsiCo’s dividend payout ratio is presently 77.99%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On PepsiCo

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. WealthTrak Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in PepsiCo during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Collier Financial bought a new stake in shares of PepsiCo in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of PepsiCo in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. increased its position in PepsiCo by 93.2% during the 3rd quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 199 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Creative Capital Management Investments LLC purchased a new position in PepsiCo during the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.07% of the company’s stock.

PepsiCo Company Profile

PepsiCo, Inc engages in the manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of various beverages and convenient foods worldwide. The company operates through seven segments: Frito-Lay North America; Quaker Foods North America; PepsiCo Beverages North America; Latin America; Europe; Africa, Middle East and South Asia; and Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand and China Region.