PepsiCo Anticipates Flat EPS Growth Despite Strategic Investments | PEP Stock News

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PepsiCo Inc. (PEP, Financial) is gearing up to counter increasing supply chain costs through strategic mitigation efforts aimed at minimizing operational and relationship disruptions. Chairman and CEO, Ramon Laguarta, emphasized the company's commitment to enhancing its global business, particularly in North America, ensuring that these challenges do not significantly impact long-term growth prospects.

The company's ongoing productivity initiatives are set to support disciplined financial investments, with profitability remaining a key focus. As part of its strategic outlook, PepsiCo projects low-single-digit growth in organic revenue for 2025. However, the company revised its expectation for core constant currency earnings per share (EPS) growth, which is now anticipated to remain steady compared to the previous year, a shift from earlier projections of mid-single-digit growth.

In a move to reward shareholders, PepsiCo has announced a 5% increase in its annualized dividend per share, effective with the June 2025 payout. This marks the 53rd consecutive year that PepsiCo has raised its dividends, underscoring its commitment to delivering shareholder value amid ongoing operational adjustments.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast

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Based on the one-year price targets offered by 21 analysts, the average target price for PepsiCo Inc (PEP, Financial) is $160.34 with a high estimate of $175.00 and a low estimate of $124.00. The average target implies an upside of 12.71% from the current price of $142.26. More detailed estimate data can be found on the PepsiCo Inc (PEP) Forecast page.

Based on the consensus recommendation from 24 brokerage firms, PepsiCo Inc's (PEP, Financial) average brokerage recommendation is currently 2.8, indicating "Hold" status. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 5, where 1 signifies Strong Buy, and 5 denotes Sell.

Based on GuruFocus estimates, the estimated GF Value for PepsiCo Inc (PEP, Financial) in one year is $185.60, suggesting a upside of 30.47% from the current price of $142.26. GF Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value that the stock should be traded at. It is calculated based on the historical multiples the stock has traded at previously, as well as past business growth and the future estimates of the business' performance. More detailed data can be found on the PepsiCo Inc (PEP) Summary page.

PEP Key Business Developments

Release Date: February 04, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • PepsiCo Inc (PEP, Financial) is seeing growth in the salty and savory category, with consumers returning to the category, indicating a positive trend.
  • The company is focusing on strategic investments in innovation and new spaces, such as away-from-home opportunities, which are expected to drive future growth.
  • PepsiCo Inc (PEP) has a strong international business, contributing significantly to its growth, with a $40 billion business that is accretive to the company.
  • The company is committed to systematic productivity improvements through automation, digitalization, and simplifying operations, which are expected to enhance efficiency.
  • PepsiCo Inc (PEP) is focusing on consumer trends towards health and wellness, with investments in portion control, lower sodium, and lower fat products, aligning with evolving consumer preferences.

Negative Points

  • Frito-Lay's volume growth has decelerated, raising concerns about the return on investment from recent reinvestments.
  • The company's EPS guidance reflects less leverage compared to previous years, indicating potential challenges in achieving higher profitability.
  • There is uncertainty in the global market, including geopolitical risks and potential government decisions, which could impact PepsiCo Inc (PEP)'s performance.
  • The North American market is experiencing a muted top-line growth environment, posing challenges for PepsiCo Inc (PEP) to drive significant growth in this region.
  • Currency fluctuations, particularly the strengthening of the dollar, are expected to be a headwind, impacting PepsiCo Inc (PEP)'s financial performance.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.