Cornerstone Planning LLC Acquires New Stake in PepsiCo, Inc. $PEP

Key Points

• Cornerstone Planning LLC disclosed a new fourth-quarter stake in PepsiCo, buying 18,321 shares worth about $2.64 million. Several other institutional investors also added positions, and hedge funds and institutions now own about 73.07% of the stock.
• PepsiCo reported solid quarterly results, posting EPS of $1.61 versus $1.55 expected and revenue of $19.44 billion versus $18.89 billion expected. Revenue rose 8.5% year over year, and analysts expect full-year EPS of 8.63.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.48 per share, or $5.92 annually, for a yield of about 4.2%. Sentiment around the stock is mixed: PepsiCo has valuation and dividend appeal, but some commentary says the shares have lagged the broader market recently.

Cornerstone Planning LLC acquired a new position in shares of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 18,321 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,644,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PEP. Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of PepsiCo during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Swiss RE Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of PepsiCo during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. MH & Associates Securities Management Corp ADV acquired a new stake in PepsiCo during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in PepsiCo during the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Strategic Advocates LLC purchased a new stake in PepsiCo in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. 73.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting PepsiCo

Here are the key news stories impacting PepsiCo this week:

• Positive Sentiment: PepsiCo’s management is being spotlighted for using AI and digital tools to improve operations, strengthen food-system resilience, and support a broader global transformation strategy, which could bolster long-term efficiency and growth. Building a Lighthouse Company: Athina Kanioura on Leading PepsiCo’s Global Transformation
• Positive Sentiment: PepsiCo is also being discussed as a beneficiary of AI adoption across food and beverage companies, which may support productivity and growth initiatives over time. PepsiCo, Danone & Nestlé: how AI is powering F&B growth
• Positive Sentiment: A new Doritos Loaded commercial featuring Gordon Ramsay and Formula 1 driver George Russell underscores PepsiCo’s willingness to spend on high-profile marketing to support snack brand visibility and demand. PepsiCo: Doritos Loaded Unveils High-Octane Commercial Starring Chef Gordon Ramsay And Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Driver George Russell
• Neutral Sentiment: Several recent commentary pieces focus on PepsiCo’s valuation and dividend appeal, with one suggesting the shares may trade below fair value while another argues for caution and calls the stock a possible sell, leaving investor sentiment mixed. PepsiCo (PEP) Stock Could Be 46.9% Below Fair Value as Views Split
• Neutral Sentiment: PepsiCo remains a frequent feature in dividend-investing discussions, reinforcing its reputation as a defensive income stock rather than signaling a new catalyst. PepsiCo: Scoop Up This Dividend Growth Legend Now
• Negative Sentiment: Bearish market commentary argues PepsiCo has lagged the broader market since late 2025, which may weigh on sentiment if investors continue to favor faster-growing alternatives. 3 Reasons to Sell PEP and 1 Stock to Buy Instead

PepsiCo Stock Performance

PEP stock opened at $142.02 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $194.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.30, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $149.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $152.24. PepsiCo, Inc. has a 52 week low of $127.60 and a 52 week high of $171.48.

PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 15th. The company reported $1.61 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.06. PepsiCo had a return on equity of 56.61% and a net margin of 9.15%.The firm had revenue of $19.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.89 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.48 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that PepsiCo, Inc. will post 8.63 EPS for the current year.

PepsiCo Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 5th will be paid a $1.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 5th. This represents a $5.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.2%. This is an increase from PepsiCo's previous quarterly dividend of $1.42. PepsiCo's dividend payout ratio is presently 92.94%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on PEP shares. Wall Street Zen lowered PepsiCo from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, April 18th. BNP Paribas Exane lifted their price objective on PepsiCo from $191.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on PepsiCo in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. They issued a "market perform" rating and a $143.00 target price for the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c)" rating on shares of PepsiCo in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on PepsiCo from $190.00 to $186.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, PepsiCo currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $167.10.

PepsiCo 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.

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