PURCHASE, NY (AP) — PepsiCo is cutting prices on Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos and Tostitos chips this year to win back customers exasperated by years of price hikes. “For some consumers, low- and middle-income consumers, the biggest friction they have today in our category... is affordability,” PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta said Tuesday during a conference call with investors. “So we have been testing multiple ways to give them affordability.” PepsiCo has leaned on price increases as the cost of pa ...

Core Insights - PepsiCo is focusing on functional nutrition as a key growth strategy, aiming to meet consumer demand for products that offer health benefits beyond taste, such as protein and prebiotics [1][8] - The company plans to make functional nutrition a core pillar of its innovation strategy by 2025, targeting both beverages and convenient foods [1][8] Beverage Innovations - PepsiCo is launching functional beverages like Pepsi Prebiotic, Propel Protein Water, and enhanced Muscle Milk, designed to combine familiar flavors with health benefits [2][8] - The company is also enhancing Gatorade with lower sugar and added nutritional benefits, allowing it to compete with emerging functional beverage brands [2] Food Portfolio Enhancements - The food segment is seeing the introduction of protein-rich and fiber-boosted snacks under brands like Doritos, Quaker, Sun Chips, and PopCorners, modernizing these iconic brands for health-conscious consumers [3][8] - This strategy aims to create new consumption occasions and strengthen long-term brand loyalty [3] Competitive Landscape - Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper are also enhancing their portfolios with functional beverage innovations to meet consumer wellness demands [4][5][6] - Coca-Cola is focusing on zero-sugar and functional hydration products, while Keurig Dr Pepper is innovating in coffee and cold beverages with health-forward formulations [5][6] Financial Performance - PepsiCo shares have increased by 4.4% over the past three months, compared to the industry growth of 6.4% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.37X, slightly below the industry average of 18.22X [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 0.6% decline in earnings for 2025, with a projected growth of 5.4% for 2026 [10]

Core Insights - PepsiCo is focusing on innovation to drive growth and adapt its portfolio to changing consumer preferences, particularly in health and functionality [1][8] - The company is launching new products in both beverages and snacks, targeting health-conscious consumers with cleaner ingredients and functional benefits [2][3] Beverage Segment - PepsiCo's innovation pipeline includes successful products like Pepsi Zero Sugar, which is experiencing double-digit growth, and new functional beverages such as Propel Protein Water and Gatorade Lower Sugar [2][8] - The acquisition of poppi, generating approximately $525 million in retail sales, underscores PepsiCo's strategy to enhance its position in the functional beverage market [2] Snack Segment - The company is revitalizing snack brands like Doritos and Cheetos with healthier ingredients and added functionality, contributing to a $2 billion-plus permissible snack portfolio [3][8] - Sun Chips are projected to exceed $700 million in annual sales, highlighting the effectiveness of PepsiCo's innovation strategy in aligning health, taste, and value [3] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper are also prioritizing innovation to meet consumer demands, with Coca-Cola expanding into lower-sugar and functional beverages, and KDP focusing on product offerings and delivery systems [4][5][6] Financial Performance - PepsiCo's shares have increased by 1.5% over the past three months, contrasting with a 0.5% decline in the industry [7] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for PepsiCo is 16.83X, slightly below the industry average of 17.42X [9] - Earnings estimates for 2025 indicate a slight decline of 0.6%, while 2026 estimates suggest a growth of 5.6%, with recent upward revisions in EPS estimates [10]

Core Insights - PepsiCo's North America beverage segment showed strong performance in Q3 2025 with 2% organic revenue growth, driven by successful brands like Pepsi Zero Sugar and Propel, indicating renewed consumer engagement [1][8] - The sustainability of this growth is contingent on balancing pricing discipline with volume expansion amid a challenging macroeconomic environment [2] Group 1: Performance and Growth Drivers - The growth in PepsiCo's beverage segment was fueled by innovative marketing campaigns and the success of new product launches, particularly in health-focused categories [1][3] - The company is adapting to evolving consumer preferences through portfolio reshaping and the introduction of modern beverages [1] Group 2: Challenges and Strategic Adjustments - PepsiCo faces challenges related to pricing pressures and the transition away from its case-pack water business, which necessitates strategic adjustments to retain consumer loyalty [2] - The company is optimizing its price-pack architecture and investing in accessible pack sizes to appeal to budget-conscious consumers [2] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper are also leveraging innovation and pricing discipline to sustain growth in the North American beverage market [4][5][6] - Coca-Cola's focus on zero-sugar offerings and functional beverages has helped maintain demand despite volume pressures, while Keurig Dr Pepper benefits from a diversified portfolio [5][6] Group 4: Valuation and Earnings Estimates - PepsiCo's shares have increased by 5.5% over the past three months, outperforming the industry [7] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for PepsiCo is 18.17X, slightly above the industry average of 18.14X, with earnings estimates for 2025 indicating a slight decline and a projected growth of 5.6% in 2026 [9][10]