Capricorn Fund Managers Ltd Buys 27,364 Shares of PepsiCo, Inc. $PEP

Capricorn Fund Managers Ltd boosted its stake in PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) by 104.6% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 53,530 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 27,364 shares during the quarter. PepsiCo makes up about 1.3% of Capricorn Fund Managers Ltd’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest position. Capricorn Fund Managers Ltd’s holdings in PepsiCo were worth $8,313,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of PepsiCo during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Swiss RE Ltd. bought a new position in PepsiCo in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. MH & Associates Securities Management Corp ADV acquired a new stake in PepsiCo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in PepsiCo during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Networth Advisors LLC increased its position in PepsiCo by 2,857.1% in the 1st quarter. Networth Advisors LLC now owns 207 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.07% of the company’s stock.

PepsiCo Stock Down 2.4%

Shares of PepsiCo stock opened at $135.40 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $147.56 and its 200 day moving average is $151.91. PepsiCo, Inc. has a one year low of $132.47 and a one year high of $171.48. The firm has a market cap of $185.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.26, a PEG ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.72.

PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 15th. The company reported $1.61 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $19.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.89 billion. PepsiCo had a return on equity of 56.61% and a net margin of 9.15%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.48 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that PepsiCo, Inc. will post 8.62 EPS for the current year.

PepsiCo Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 5th were given a dividend of $1.48 per share. This represents a $5.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 5th. This is a boost from PepsiCo’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.42. PepsiCo’s dividend payout ratio is presently 92.94%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently weighed in on PEP shares. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of PepsiCo from $173.00 to $164.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on PepsiCo in a report on Thursday, June 11th. They set a “market perform” rating and a $143.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on PepsiCo from $165.00 to $163.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Barclays raised their price objective on PepsiCo from $154.00 to $158.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane lifted their price objective on PepsiCo from $191.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $166.85.

More PepsiCo News

Here are the key news stories impacting PepsiCo this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Investor sentiment was lifted by bullish commentary from 24/7 Wall St., which argued PepsiCo could have more than 20% upside based on a price target above current levels and called the stock a buy. Pepsi Price Prediction: The Case for 20%+ Upside
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity pointed to rising trader interest, with investors buying a large volume of PepsiCo call options, often interpreted as a bullish signal. Investors Buy Large Volume of PepsiCo Call Options (NASDAQ:PEP)
• Positive Sentiment: PepsiCo expanded its manufacturing footprint in India by commissioning a second flavor plant in Ujjain, a long-term growth investment that could support supply and regional demand. PepsiCo India opens ₹1,266 cr flavour manufacturing facility in Ujjain
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts are heading into PepsiCo’s July 9 earnings release expecting higher Q2 earnings and revenue, but this is still a forecast rather than a reported result. PepsiCo Likely To Report Higher Q2 Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: PepsiCo is also facing a trademark dispute involving “Rise” and “Mtn Dew Rise” at the U.S. Supreme Court, which adds legal uncertainty but is not yet a confirmed financial hit. US Supreme Court takes up Pepsi ‘Mtn Dew Rise’ trademark dispute
• Negative Sentiment: Competition in the soda market remains intense, with Coca-Cola highlighted as having a Freestyle-machine advantage and launching an exclusive new soda flavor at Wingstop, underscoring pressure on PepsiCo’s beverage business. Coca-Cola launches exclusive soda flavor at fast-food giant

About PepsiCo

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.