Activist investor Elliott Management is close to reaching a settlement agreement with PepsiCo, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. The deal's contours remain unclear, but a resolution would mark the latest in a series of engagements between one of the world's most influential activist investors and the US beverages and snacks major. Elliott disclosed a roughly $4 billion stake in PepsiCo in September and has since pushed the company to accelerate efforts to ...

格隆汇12月5日｜据华尔街日报引述消息人士称，激进投资者Elliott Management接近与百事公司达成和 解协议。Elliott在9月持有百事约40亿美元的股份，并敦促公司提升股价，振兴汽水业务，并提高竞争 力。百事首席执行官Ramon Laguarta在10月表示，公司与Elliott的互动一直具有合作性，且他同意激进 投资者关于公司被低估的看法。Laguarta当时指出，许多Elliott的想法已经纳入公司当前的业务增长策 略，但对于Elliott提出将公司大型北美装瓶网络剥离以帮助提升利润率的建议，并未给出明确答覆。 ...

Exclusive: Activist investor Elliott is close to striking a settlement agreement with PepsiCo, after taking a big stake in the company in September https://t.co/WQatxsyvH5 ...

Elliott pushed the company to refranchise its bottling operations and make other changes, like divesting underperforming assets in its food business. ...

Core Viewpoint - The appointment of Hong Zonghua as Vice President of Corporate Affairs for PepsiCo Asia Pacific marks a significant leadership change, reflecting the company's strategic adjustments and recovery in performance in the region [2][5]. Group 1: Leadership Changes - Hong Zonghua, previously the Chief Public Relations Officer at Shui Jing Fang, has officially taken on the role of Vice President of Corporate Affairs at PepsiCo Asia Pacific, indicating a notable elevation in his career [2]. - His background in public relations and government relations within foreign consumer enterprises was a key factor in his selection for this role [2]. - The transition comes after a series of management restructuring and executive changes at PepsiCo, aimed at enhancing growth and operational efficiency [5][6]. Group 2: Performance and Strategy - During Hong's tenure at Shui Jing Fang, the company experienced continuous revenue growth, with 2024 projected revenue surpassing 5 billion [3]. - Shui Jing Fang focused on brand scarcity and niche marketing strategies, emphasizing its unique heritage and high-end customer engagement [4]. - PepsiCo's restructuring included the establishment of distinct divisions for international beverages and Asia Pacific foods, with a focus on improving performance in a competitive market [5][7]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - PepsiCo's beverage business in China has faced challenges, with low single-digit declines in 2024, contrasting with food business growth [7]. - The overall performance in the Asia Pacific market showed a 1% net revenue increase, with food sales growing by 4% while beverage sales lagged [7][8]. - Despite these challenges, there are signs of recovery in 2025, with food business unit sales increasing by 4% and organic revenue growth in international beverages [8].

In many ways, adding a third player into the greatest of all time argument (GOAT) for sodas would be like debating Michael Jordan versus Lebron James versus Charles Barkley. Sure, Barkley had some moments and he's arguably a top-50 all-time player, but he's so far from Jordan and James that no credible argument can be made. Coca-Cola and Pepsi have been battling for decades, and things heated up in the 1980s. "The great Cola Wars of the 1980s were a battle between Coca-Cola and PepsiCo for dominance. Th ...

Industry Overview - Energy drink companies manufacture beverages designed to enhance energy, focus, and endurance, including clean-label, low-sugar, and plant-based options, as well as traditional energy drinks and functional wellness beverages [1] - Key industry trends include rising health consciousness, increasing demand for low- or no-sugar options, and a growing overlap with sports nutrition and lifestyle wellness categories [1] Investment Opportunities - Despite challenges such as regulatory scrutiny, competition, and shifting consumer preferences, energy drink companies present compelling investment opportunities due to strong global brands, high profit margins, and a focus on innovation [2] - Two energy drink stocks with favorable Zacks Rank for 2026 are Monster Beverage Corp. (MNST) and PepsiCo Inc. (PEP), both expected to provide stability and steady returns [3] Company Performance: Monster Beverage Corp. - Monster Beverage has a Zacks Rank of 1 and is benefiting from the expanding energy drinks market and product launches, with sales in the Monster Energy Drinks segment growing 16% on a currency-adjusted basis in Q3 2025 [6][7] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 9.3% and an earnings growth rate of 12.8% for the next year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings improving by 4.7% over the last 30 days [7] Company Performance: PepsiCo Inc. - PepsiCo has a Zacks Rank of 2 and is experiencing strong international beverage revenue growth, particularly in markets like Mexico, Brazil, Germany, and Thailand [10] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 3.3% and an earnings growth rate of 5.9% for the next year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings improving by 0.2% over the last 30 days [12] - PepsiCo's long-term strategy focuses on productivity through automation, standardization, and digital transformation to enhance efficiency and support margin expansion [11]

Core Viewpoint - PepsiCo is implementing job cuts in its Ireland operations as part of a strategy to enhance efficiency and growth, although the specific number of affected roles has not been disclosed [1][2]. Group 1: Job Cuts and Organizational Changes - The company is making limited organizational changes at its Cork business to support ongoing transformation efforts aimed at efficiency and growth [1]. - PepsiCo is committed to supporting impacted employees and maintaining a strong presence in Ireland, which is considered a strategically important location [2]. Group 2: Expansion Plans and Challenges - PepsiCo's plans for a four-storey expansion of its production and warehouse facility in County Cork were denied permission, which would have added 12,207 square meters of floor space [3]. - The Cork site is crucial for producing concentrates for major brands like Pepsi, 7Up, and Mountain Dew [3]. Group 3: Investor Scrutiny and Business Performance - In North America, PepsiCo is under scrutiny from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which has a $4 billion stake in the company [4]. - Elliott has urged PepsiCo to reassess its business structure in North America following a period of poor financial results, indicating that the company is at a critical inflection point [4]. - Conversely, Elliott expressed optimism about PepsiCo's performance in international markets, highlighting robust growth and significant potential for further expansion [5]. Group 4: Leadership and Strategic Focus - PepsiCo's chairman and CEO, Ramon Laguarta, emphasized the company's urgency in transforming its portfolio, simplifying operations, and reducing costs to invest in future growth [5].

Core Viewpoint - San Francisco is suing major food brands for selling ultra-processed foods that contribute to public health issues, claiming these companies have profited from harmful products without proper health warnings [1][3][4]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit, filed by San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, is 64 pages long and targets 11 major food brands [1][2]. - The brands named in the lawsuit include Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, Coca-Cola, Pepsico, General Mills, Nestlé, and others [2]. Group 2: Accusations Against Brands - The lawsuit accuses these brands of creating addictive foods that lead to health problems, failing to provide health warnings, and making misleading claims about product healthiness [3][4]. - Ultra-processed foods are linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic illnesses [4]. Group 3: Legal and Regulatory Context - Chiu is calling for the brands to stop deceptive marketing practices and to pay civil penalties to San Francisco [5]. - This lawsuit aligns with a broader movement in the U.S. to regulate processed foods, initiated by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. [5][6].

Core Insights - The appointment of Hong Zonghua as Vice President of Corporate Affairs for PepsiCo Asia Pacific marks a significant leadership change within the company, coinciding with a broader restructuring of its management team and a recovery in operational performance [1][4]. Group 1: Hong Zonghua's Background and Role - Hong Zonghua has a strong background in public relations and government relations, having worked for major companies like Walmart, Mars, Herbalife China, and Shui Jing Fang, where he held senior positions [2][3]. - His previous role at Shui Jing Fang involved managing government relations, corporate communication, social responsibility, and ESG strategy, contributing to the company's continuous revenue growth, which is projected to exceed 5 billion in 2024 [2][3]. Group 2: PepsiCo's Organizational Changes - PepsiCo has undergone significant structural changes in 2023, dividing its global operations into North America and International segments, with a focus on the Asia Pacific market [4][6]. - The company has seen multiple executive changes, including the appointment of new leaders for its food and beverage divisions, reflecting a strategic shift to enhance performance in a competitive market [4][6]. Group 3: Market Performance and Challenges - PepsiCo's performance in China has shown a mixed trend, with food business revenues experiencing low single-digit growth while beverage revenues faced a slight decline [6][7]. - The overall revenue growth in the Asia Pacific region for 2024 is projected at 1%, with food business sales increasing by 4% and beverage sales only growing by 1%, indicating a challenging market environment [6][7]. - Despite these challenges, there are signs of recovery in 2025, with a reported 4% increase in unit sales for the Asia Pacific food business in the first three quarters [7].