Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. Increases Stake in PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)

Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP - Free Report) by 50.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 25,200 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 8,400 shares during the period. PepsiCo comprises 0.9% of Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc.'s holdings in PepsiCo were worth $3,778,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PEP. WealthTrak Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in PepsiCo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Elite Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in PepsiCo during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Prudent Man Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in PepsiCo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. acquired a new position in PepsiCo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new position in PepsiCo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. 73.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

PepsiCo Stock Down 0.3%

NASDAQ:PEP traded down $0.46 on Friday, hitting $144.98. 2,824,332 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,185,851. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.13. PepsiCo, Inc. has a 1 year low of $127.60 and a 1 year high of $180.91. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $131.97 and a 200-day moving average price of $141.24. The company has a market cap of $198.78 billion, a PE ratio of 21.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.23 and a beta of 0.45.

PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The company reported $2.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.03 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $22.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $22.28 billion. PepsiCo had a return on equity of 58.28% and a net margin of 10.24%. The company's revenue was up 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.28 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that PepsiCo, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

PepsiCo Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 6th were paid a $1.4225 dividend. This represents a $5.69 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.92%. This is a positive change from PepsiCo's previous quarterly dividend of $1.36. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 6th. PepsiCo's dividend payout ratio is presently 83.68%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have commented on PEP shares. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of PepsiCo from $175.00 to $169.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 25th. Dbs Bank cut shares of PepsiCo from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Wells Fargo & Company restated an "equal weight" rating on shares of PepsiCo in a report on Thursday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of PepsiCo in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of PepsiCo from $170.00 to $160.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $158.75.

About PepsiCo

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.

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