Group 1 - The Dividend Kings achieved a gain of 3.26% in August, outperforming the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) by 1.21% [1] - In September, SPY has increased by 2.9% [1]

Core Viewpoint - Elliott Management has urged PepsiCo to follow Coca-Cola's lead in divesting its bottling operations, which are crucial to the beverage business [2][3] Group 1: Historical Context of Bottling Operations - The bottling business emerged as a solution to early distribution challenges faced by Coca-Cola, which initially sold only syrup to local soda fountains [4] - By 1919, Coca-Cola's bottling network had expanded to 1,200 plants, significantly increasing syrup revenue [4] - PepsiCo adopted a similar bottling strategy, inspired by Coca-Cola's model, to facilitate its own growth [4] Group 2: Advantages of the Bottling Model - The bottling model allows beverage companies to avoid heavy capital investments in manufacturing and logistics, as these responsibilities are managed by bottlers [5] - Local bottlers can leverage regional resources and market knowledge, accelerating product distribution [5][6] Group 3: International Expansion and Partnerships - Both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo replicated their bottling strategies internationally, forming partnerships with local bottlers to enhance market penetration [6][7] - Coca-Cola's return to China involved collaborations with local firms like COFCO and Swire, while Pepsi initially attempted to maintain full control over its bottling operations [7] Group 4: Tensions Between Companies and Bottlers - There exists a tension between beverage companies and bottlers regarding pricing strategies, as companies prefer a "low-margin, high-volume" approach while bottlers seek higher prices to improve their margins [8] - New product launches often create friction, as bottlers face additional costs for production line adjustments and marketing efforts [8] Group 5: Market Dynamics and Competitive Strategies - The rise of large retail chains like Walmart has shifted the dynamics, with PepsiCo gaining an advantage by negotiating directly with retailers, while Coca-Cola had to reform its bottling network to maintain competitiveness [9][10] - Coca-Cola has restructured its bottling network by acquiring stakes in bottlers and supporting larger regional bottlers, while PepsiCo continues to maintain direct control over its bottling operations [10]

Group 1 - PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is currently trading at $141, showing signs of bottoming out after a decline from $196 two and a half years ago [2] - The company has a 4% yield, which is attracting investors looking for a safe return [1][2] - Elliott Management has taken a significant $4 billion stake in PepsiCo, indicating potential for change and improvement within the company [2] Group 2 - PepsiCo manufactures and distributes a diverse range of products, including beverages, snacks, cereals, dairy, and ready-to-drink items [2] - Despite its current challenges, PepsiCo is still considered a premier growth company, making it a viable option for a diversified portfolio [2]

今年9月初，埃利奥特曾披露持有百事40亿美元股份，并发布一份75页的报告，详细提出提升百事盈利 能力的建议。对此，百事回应称，公司与股东保持积极沟通，将对埃利奥特的演示文件内容进行评估。 对冲基金埃利奥特投资管理公司(Elliott Investment Management)正推动百事公司(PEP.US)削减成本、剥 离低增长品牌，这一主张已获得其他部分投资者的支持。不过有消息显示，埃利奥特另一个核心诉求， 即要求百事效仿可口可乐(KO.US)拆分瓶装业务，目前获得的支持度较低。 此前，可口可乐已完成全球瓶装业务拆分，拆分后成立了可口可乐企业公司(Coca-Cola Enterprises)、可 口可乐欧洲太平洋合作伙伴公司(Coca-Cola Europacific Partners，CCEP)及可口可乐墨西哥瓶装公司 (Coca-Cola FEMSA，KOF)等独立瓶装实体。 在面向百事股东的演示文件中，埃利奥特表示，"回购瓶装业务"在过去某一阶段具有合理性，但如今已 到评估"更高效特许经营模式"的时机。该对冲基金警示称："百事北美(PBNA)的一体化运营模式，在区 域层面已被可口可乐'特许经营化'的瓶 ...

The deadline to submit a claim in Poppi soda’s $8.9 million class-action lawsuit is quickly approaching. Most Read from Fast Company Qualifying customers have until this Friday, September 26, to file a claim in the class-action lawsuit against Poppi’s former owner, Vngr Beverage LLC. The suit alleges that the low-sugar, prebiotic soda was “improperly marketed” and labeled as “gut healthy,” a claim that is not scientifically backed, leading customers to purchase products they would not have otherwise. ...

Core Points - The Poppi soda class-action lawsuit involves a claim of improper marketing and labeling against VNGR Beverage, LLC, the former owner of Poppi, alleging that the product was marketed as "gut healthy" without scientific backing [3][4] - The lawsuit has a settlement amount of $8.9 million, with a deadline for eligible customers to file claims by September 26, 2025 [2][6] - PepsiCo, Inc. acquired Poppi for $1.95 billion in May 2023, which adds a significant context to the lawsuit and its implications for the beverage industry [4] Settlement Details - Customers who purchased Poppi beverages between January 23, 2020, and July 18, 2025, are eligible for settlement payments [6] - Settlement payments without proof of purchase can be up to $16 per household, while payments with proof of purchase vary based on the quantity purchased [8][11] - The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for November 20, 2025, and payments will be distributed within 90 days after the settlement is finalized [9]

Core Viewpoint - Some investors in PepsiCo are in favor of activist shareholder Elliott Investment Management's suggestions to cut costs and eliminate underperforming brands like Quaker, but they express caution regarding the proposal to separate the soda maker's bottling network [1] Group 1 - Activist shareholder Elliott Investment Management has proposed cost-cutting measures for PepsiCo [1] - There is support among some investors for the idea of eliminating sleepy brands such as Quaker [1] - Investors are more cautious about the suggestion to hive off PepsiCo's bottling network [1]

Core Viewpoint - Some investors in PepsiCo support Elliott Investment Management's suggestions to cut costs and eliminate underperforming brands, but are cautious about the proposal to separate the bottling network [1][5]. Group 1: Elliott's Proposal - Elliott Investment Management has proposed that PepsiCo should consider spinning off its bottling business to increase margins and simplify operations, similar to a move made by Coca-Cola nearly a decade ago [2][4]. - Elliott has taken a $4 billion stake in PepsiCo and released a report outlining strategies to boost profits, as the company's share price has fallen nearly 20% over the past year, underperforming the S&P consumer staples index [3]. Group 2: Financial Performance - PepsiCo's operating margins were reported at 14% last year, an increase from 13.1% in 2023, while Coca-Cola's margins were significantly higher at 21.2% and 24.7% for the same periods [6][7]. - The North American beverage business of PepsiCo has operating margins trailing Coca-Cola's by as much as 10 percentage points, which could potentially be recovered through refranchising [6]. Group 3: Investor Sentiment - Some long-term investors express concerns that separating the bottling business could be costly and time-consuming, potentially impacting PepsiCo's margins and earnings negatively during the transition [5]. - Ongoing discussions between Elliott and PepsiCo indicate that the company is reviewing the proposals while maintaining an active dialogue with shareholders [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the lack of positions held by Parkev Tatevosian, CFA, and The Motley Fool in the mentioned stocks, emphasizing their disclosure policy and potential compensation for promoting services [1] Group 1 - Parkev Tatevosian has no position in any of the stocks mentioned [1] - The Motley Fool also has no position in any of the stocks mentioned [1] - The disclosure policy of The Motley Fool is highlighted, indicating transparency in their operations [1]

These companies should continue increasing their dividends in the coming years.Buying dividend stocks is almost always a smart move, especially when focusing on companies that consistently raise their dividends. Historically, dividend stocks have outperformed those that do not pay dividends by more than two-to-one over the long term.Brookfield Infrastructure (BIPC -2.00%) (BIP 1.00%), PepsiCo (PEP -0.49%), and VICI Properties (VICI -1.29%) have excellent records of increasing their dividend payments. With m ...