Keurig Dr Pepper’s Shares Fizz Amid Private Equity Cash Infusion

Group 1 - Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) secured $7 billion from KKR, Apollo Global Management, and Goldman Sachs for a leveraged buyout, with $4 billion allocated for new K-Cup pods and $3 billion for preferred convertible stock [1] - KDP raised its annual sales forecast, resulting in an approximately 8% increase in its share price, with net sales climbing 11% in the most recent quarter, driven by a 14% increase in beverage sales [2] - Dr Pepper has become the second-most popular soda in America, surpassing Pepsi's market share [2] Group 2 - The recent investment from private equity firms may shield KDP from activist investors like Starboard, while PepsiCo faces similar pressures from Elliott Management, which acquired a $4 billion stake [3] - The beverage sector's sales increased by less than 2% last quarter, with KDP's coffee business facing challenges due to droughts and tariffs in Brazil and Vietnam [5] - KDP announced an $18 billion acquisition of JDE Peet's and plans to separate its coffee business from its soda operations, but the stock fell 20% following the news, attracting interest from activist investor Starboard [5]