PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) Stock Has Consensus Target Price of $143.28

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is mostly neutral: 20 brokerages give PepsiCo a consensus “Hold” rating, with an average 12-month price target of $143.28.
• Quarterly results topped estimates: PepsiCo reported EPS of $2.34 versus $2.29 expected and revenue of $25.27 billion, up 5.6% year over year. However, the article notes the company lowered its 2026 EPS growth outlook amid North American margin pressure.
• Insider trades were mixed: CEO Ramon Laguarta sold 30,000 shares, while director Robert C. Pohlad bought 184,646 shares.

PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP - Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of "Hold" from the twenty brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $143.28.

PEP has been the topic of several recent research reports. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of PepsiCo in a research report on Friday, October 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $165.00 target price on shares of PepsiCo in a research report on Thursday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on PepsiCo from $138.00 to $137.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of PepsiCo from $161.00 to $150.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a "hold" rating on shares of PepsiCo in a research note on Thursday, October 8th.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Ramon Laguarta sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.13, for a total transaction of $4,053,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 491,645 shares of the company's stock, valued at $66,435,988.85. This represents a 5.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Robert C. Pohlad acquired 184,646 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 14th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $128.28 per share, for a total transaction of $23,686,388.88. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 433,009 shares of the company's stock, valued at $55,546,394.52. The trade was a 74.35% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.12% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On PepsiCo

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Addison Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of PepsiCo by 28.6% during the third quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 423 shares of the company's stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Bernicke Wealth Management Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of PepsiCo in the 3rd quarter valued at about $729,000. Diversified Trust Co lifted its position in shares of PepsiCo by 57.6% during the third quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 141,600 shares of the company's stock worth $17,944,000 after purchasing an additional 51,736 shares during the last quarter. Vista Capital Partners Inc. bought a new stake in PepsiCo during the 3rd quarter valued at $215,000. Finally, Financial Freedom LLC purchased a new stake in PepsiCo during the third quarter valued at about $126,000. Institutional investors own 73.07% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about PepsiCo

Here are the key news stories impacting PepsiCo this week:

• Positive Sentiment: PepsiCo renewed its beverage partnership with KFC across eight international markets. The deal extends a longstanding relationship and could support sales and distribution as KFC expands internationally. PepsiCo Secures Renewal Across Select KFC International Markets
• Neutral Sentiment: A valuation analysis argues PEP could be undervalued, citing the KFC renewal and recent share performance. That is an analyst view, not a change to the company’s financial results. PepsiCo (PEP) Could Be 29% Undervalued Following Its KFC Deal Renewal
• Negative Sentiment: PepsiCo lowered its 2026 EPS growth outlook as North American margin pressures persist. Strong international growth and productivity savings may help offset the weakness, but the guidance cut is a potential drag on investor expectations. PepsiCo Lowers 2026 EPS Outlook as North America Pressures Margins
• Negative Sentiment: PepsiCo’s CEO reportedly sold shares after the guidance reduction, which could add to investor concerns about the weaker outlook. These 3 Underperforming Stocks Are Seeing Notable CEO Insider Trades
• Negative Sentiment: India’s food regulator has challenged PepsiCo’s energy-drink labeling, alleging the branding could mislead consumers. The dispute introduces potential regulatory and reputational risk, though the articles do not specify any financial penalty. PepsiCo, Monster face FSSAI pushback over energy drink labelling

PepsiCo Stock Performance

Shares of PEP stock opened at $141.34 on Friday. PepsiCo has a 12 month low of $123.47 and a 12 month high of $171.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $192.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.76, a P/E/G ratio of 4.19 and a beta of 0.31. The company's fifty day moving average price is $133.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $145.75.

PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 7th. The company reported $2.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.29 by $0.05. PepsiCo had a return on equity of 53.08% and a net margin of 11.09%. The firm had revenue of $25.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.95 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.29 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that PepsiCo will post 8.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

PepsiCo Company Profile

PepsiCo, Inc is a global food and beverage company that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a broad range of products. Its portfolio includes snacks such as Lay's, Doritos and Cheetos, as well as beverages including Pepsi, Gatorade and Mountain Dew.

The company was formed in 1965 through the merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay. Its products are sold in more than 200 countries and territories through retail, food-service and other distribution channels.

PepsiCo is headquartered in Purchase, New York.

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