PepsiCo, Inc. engages in the manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of various beverages and convenient foods worldwide. The company operates through seven segments: Frito-Lay North America; Quaker Foods North America; PepsiCo Beverages North America; Latin America; Europe; Africa, Middle East and South Asia; and Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand and China Region. It provides dips, cheese-flavored snacks, and spreads, as well as corn, potato, and tortilla chips; cereals, rice, pasta, mixes and syrups, granola bars, grits, oatmeal, rice cakes, and side dishes; beverage concentrates, fountain syrups, and finished goods; ready-to-drink tea, coffee, and juices; dairy products; and sparkling water makers and related products, as well as distributes alcoholic beverages under Hard MTN Dew brand. The company offers its products primarily under the Lay's, Doritos, Fritos, Tostitos, BaiCaoWei, Cheetos, Cap'n Crunch, Life, Pearl Milling Company, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, Rice-A-Roni, Aquafina, Bubly, Emperador, Diet Mountain Dew, Diet Pepsi, Gatorade Zero, Crush, Propel, Dr Pepper, Schweppes, Marias Gamesa, Ruffles, Sabritas, Saladitas, Tostitos, 7UP, Diet 7UP, H2oh!, Manzanita Sol, Mirinda, Pepsi Black, Pepsi Max, San Carlos, Toddy, Walkers, Chipsy, Kurkure, Sasko, Spekko, White Star, Smith's, Sting, SodaStream, Lubimyj Sad, Agusha, Chudo, Domik v Derevne, Lipton, and other brands. It serves wholesale and other distributors, foodservice customers, grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores, discount/dollar stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, hard discounters, e-commerce retailers and authorized independent bottlers, and others through a network of direct-store-delivery, customer warehouse, and distributor networks, as well as directly to consumers through e-commerce platforms and retailers. The company was founded in 1898 and is based in Purchase, New York.

PepsiCo, Inc.

Key Points
This consumer staples giant's dividend yield is more than twice that of the broader market.
The company's dividend has increased annually for more than six decades, making it a Dividend King.
The business is performing well right now, but the stock appears reasonably priced.
How much are you willing to pay for a good company? That's not an idle question, because if you pay too much, you can turn a good company into a bad investment.
At the same time, however, good companies don't often go on sale. For conservative long-term investors, a fair price for a good company is usually a sign to buy. That is why you'll probably want to invest $1,000 in this iconic consumer staples company.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
What will $1,000 get you?
A $1,000 investment in Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) will buy you roughly 14 shares. Fourteen shares isn't the right way to think about it. What you are really buying is partial ownership in the company. It doesn't matter if it is one share or 1 million shares; you want to make sure that what you are buying is worth buying. In the case of Coca-Cola, it is very likely.
Coca-Cola is the world's most important non-alcoholic beverage maker. That's a niche of the broader consumer staples sector. From a big-picture perspective, Coca-Cola is essentially selling expensive flavored water. Consumers could just as easily drink tap water and save themselves some money. However, the drinks that Coca-Cola sells are affordable luxuries, so customers tend to keep buying them even during difficult times.
That, in fact, is a key feature of the consumer staples sector. Companies like Coca-Cola sell products that are reasonably priced and bought regularly, regardless of economic and stock market events. Moreover, a significant amount of brand loyalty is involved, with consumers simply preferring their chosen brands and sticking to them through thick and thin.
The consistency of Coca-Cola's business is underscored by its status as a Dividend King, boasting more than six decades of consecutive annual dividend increases. That importance of the company, and its bona fides in the consumer staples sector, are highlighted by the fact that it is the fourth largest consumer staples company on Earth. It stands toe-to-toe with any peer when it comes to brand strength, marketing prowess, distribution capabilities, and innovation chops.
Coca-Cola is a slow and steady dividend growth machine, but that can be a powerful combination when you buy and hold for the long term. And now looks like an attractive time to consider buying this industry-leading beverage company.
Coca-Cola: A fair price for a strong business
The consumer staples sector is facing some headwinds today, which has investors downbeat on the entire sector. Buying habits that could shift due to GLP-1 weight loss drugs, a general trend toward healthier products, and consumers tightening their belts in the face of rising prices are all notable issues. Broadly speaking, consumer staples makers will adjust over time.
That said, Coca-Cola is actually doing relatively well compared to its peers. It managed to increase organic sales 6% in the third quarter of 2025, compared to a 1.3% increase for key competitor PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP). Notably, Coca-Cola's same-store sales rose from the second quarter while PepsiCo's fell. Simply put, Coca-Cola is doing very well despite the broader industry headwinds.
The best part of the story, however, is that Coca-Cola's valuation is attractive. Its price-to-sales ratio is roughly in line with its five-year average. However, the price-to-earnings and the price-to-book value ratios are both below their five-year averages. One valuation tool usually isn't enough; you need to look at several tools to get a feel for a stock's valuation. In this case, a reasonable to cheap price looks like the big takeaway.
"Ultimate" is in the eye of the beholder
Whether or not you consider Coca-Cola the ultimate dividend growth stock depends largely on your personal investment approach. However, a great company at a fair price is hard to ignore. And now add in the 2.9% dividend yield, which is more than twice the 1.1% yield of the S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and also above the 2.7% yield of the average consumer staples stock. For long-term dividend investors, Coca-Cola could easily be the ultimate dividend growth buy today.
Should you buy stock in Coca-Cola right now?
Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Coca-Cola wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $505,641!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,143,283!*
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*Stock Advisor returns as of January 2, 2026.
Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in PepsiCo. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The Ultimate Dividend Growth Stock to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the Fidelity High Dividend ETF (Symbol: FDVV) where we have detected an approximate $148.3 million dollar inflow -- that's a 1.9% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 137,600,000 to 140,200,000). Among the largest underlying components of FDVV, in trading today Citigroup Inc (Symbol: C) is off about 0.1%, Hershey Company (Symbol: HSY) is up about 0.7%, and PepsiCo Inc (Symbol: PEP) is lower by about 0.4%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the FDVV Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of FDVV, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, FDVV's low point in its 52 week range is $42.813 per share, with $57.44 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $56.90. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Free Report: Top 8%+ Dividends (paid monthly)
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Also see:
SLM market cap history
NIQ Videos
SMCI YTD Return
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

FDVV, C, HSY, PEP: ETF Inflow Alert

Key Points
The S&P 500 index has a tiny 1.1% yield, but this consumer staples icon is offering 2.9%.
Coke has increased its dividend annually for over 50 years, making the company a Dividend King.
The core business is performing well and tends to be resilient through the business cycle.
Buying and holding a stock "forever" is a big commitment, and it shouldn't be taken lightly. If you are focused on owning for the long term like that, you need to select your dividend stocks very carefully.
Fortunately, there's one reliable dividend stock that boasts a strong business, an impressive dividend track record, and an attractive yield. Best of all, however, the stock appears reasonably priced at the moment. Here's what you need to know.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
Coca-Cola: A solid business
The stock in question is consumer staples giant Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO). I don't own Coca-Cola because I own direct competitor PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP). I'm a bit of a contrarian, and I don't mind buying a business that is struggling, which is the case for PepsiCo right now. If you don't have a contrarian bent like mine, Coca-Cola will be much more attractive to you right now.
There are two factors here. First, Coca-Cola is an industry-leading business with distribution, marketing, and innovation skills on par with any of its consumer staples peers. It is also large enough to act as an industry consolidator, using acquisitions to quickly bolster its brand and product roster. All of that comes on top of the fact that Coca-Cola operates in an industry known for being resilient to economic swings.
Second, Coca-Cola is performing very well even as the broader consumer staples sector faces headwinds from shifting consumer buying habits. To put a number on that, the beverage giant's organic sales rose 6% in the third quarter of 2025, with adjusted earnings up 6% as well.
For comparison, PepsiCo's organic sales rose just 1.3% and adjusted earnings fell 2%. Now, I believe PepsiCo will turn things around, but more conservative dividend investors will probably find Coca-Cola's strong performance far more appealing.
Coca-Cola: An attractive yield
Coca-Cola's 2.9% dividend yield is in no way the highest yield you can find in the consumer staples sector. PepsiCo's yield, for example, is a full percentage point higher at just over 3.9%. But then, Coca-Cola is eating PepsiCo's lunch right now, so there is a risk versus reward trade-off.
However, that 2.9% yield still compares very favorably to key comparison points. The S&P 500 index is yielding just 1.1%. The average consumer staples stock has a yield of 2.7%. You can find higher yields, but the combination of yield and business strength is very attractive with Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola: A top-10 Dividend King
The next significant reason to like Coca-Cola is that its board of directors has consistently demonstrated over time that it believes rewarding shareholders with regular dividend increases is important. The company's annual dividend increase streak has reached an incredible 63 years. That puts Coca-Cola in a tie for the fifth-longest streak on the Dividend King list.
If you plan to buy and hold a dividend stock, sticking to the elite list of companies that have 50 or more consecutive dividend increases is a great starting point. Coca-Cola is at the top of that list; it has an attractive yield and a great business that is performing well. If you aren't interested in the stock yet, there's still one more selling point for you to consider.
Coca-Cola: An attractive price
Coca-Cola is a well-known quantity on Wall Street, and it doesn't go on sale very often. For most investors, a fair price will be a great entry point, but even that's not such a common occurrence. However, thanks to the broader consumer staples sector being out of favor, investors are being overly cautious with Coca-Cola.
The stock's price-to-earnings and price-to-book value ratios are both below their five-year averages. The yield and the price-to-sales ratio are both roughly average, historically speaking. Coca-Cola looks, on the whole, like a great business that is trading hands at a fair, to perhaps slightly cheap, price. For most dividend lovers, this is likely to be a very good buy-and-hold opportunity.
Should you buy stock in Coca-Cola right now?
Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Coca-Cola wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $507,744!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,153,827!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 984% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 195% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of December 30, 2025.
Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in PepsiCo. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The Best Dividend Stock to Buy and Hold Forever

The NASDAQ 100 After Hours Indicator is down -3.57 to 25,521.99. The total After hours volume is currently 89,566,039 shares traded.
The following are the most active stocks for the after hours session:
Lineage, Inc. (LINE) is unchanged at $34.34, with 4,137,960 shares traded. LINE's current last sale is 85.85% of the target price of $40.
Genius Sports Limited (GENI) is -0.2 at $10.74, with 4,112,963 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for GENI is in the "buy range".
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is -0.18 at $188.04, with 3,708,106 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for NVDA is in the "buy range".
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (FUN) is unchanged at $15.33, with 3,504,910 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for FUN is in the "buy range".
Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) is -0.19 at $29.68, with 2,829,144 shares traded. CMCSA's current last sale is 86.03% of the target price of $34.5.
Pfizer, Inc. (PFE) is -0.01 at $24.99, with 2,521,975 shares traded. PFE's current last sale is 90.87% of the target price of $27.5.
Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) is unchanged at $77.79, with 2,411,190 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for CSCO is in the "buy range".
Pepsico, Inc. (PEP) is +0.05 at $144.29, with 2,283,396 shares traded. PEP's current last sale is 87.98% of the target price of $164.
Opendoor Technologies Inc (OPEN) is -0.0598 at $5.77, with 2,223,957 shares traded. OPEN's current last sale is 412.16% of the target price of $1.4.
Realty Income Corporation (O) is +0.01 at $56.82, with 2,030,359 shares traded. O's current last sale is 91.65% of the target price of $62.
Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) is +0.06 at $120.59, with 1,385,443 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 3 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Dec 2025. The consensus EPS forecast is $1.63. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for XOM is in the "buy range".
KBR, Inc. (KBR) is unchanged at $40.21, with 1,336,736 shares traded. KBR's current last sale is 75.16% of the target price of $53.5.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

After Hours Most Active for Dec 29, 2025 : LINE, GENI, NVDA, FUN, CMCSA, PFE, CSCO, PEP, OPEN, O, XOM, KBR

PepsiCo, Inc. PEP is focused on improving overall margins as a key component of its growth strategy. Despite tariff headwinds, the company is advancing productivity through supply-chain optimization, automation and digitalization, alongside disciplined cost management and procurement efficiencies.
However, PepsiCo continues to face pressure on margins, reflecting a challenging cost environment and uneven performance across key segments. The ongoing cost pressures limited margin expansion, particularly in North America, where PFNA is still working through operational inefficiencies and elevated labor and manufacturing expenses. PepsiCo’s third-quarter 2025 results were weighed down by weak gross and operating margin performance, highlighting ongoing cost pressures and structural inefficiencies. PEP’s core gross margin fell 160 basis points (bps) year over year, with core constant-currency adjusted operating margin contracted 60 bps.
While management is executing productivity initiatives and reducing SKUs, margin recovery remains gradual. The reliance on aggressive cost-cutting highlights structural challenges PepsiCo must address to restore stronger profitability. The company continues to streamline its portfolio, simplify operations and reinvest savings into brand building, innovation and long-term margin expansion. PEP is aggressively cutting operating costs and strengthening operational excellence, with the resulting savings reinvested in advertising, marketing and enhanced consumer value.
On Dec. 8, 2025, management anticipated 2026 organic revenue growth of 2-4%, delivering at the high end in the second half. It targets accelerating organic revenue growth and improving core operating margin with record productivity savings in 2026. PepsiCo continues to strengthen its international momentum and sharpen execution across North America. Beyond 2025, PepsiCo’s focus on portfolio transformation, cost efficiencies and strategic reinvestment positions it for faster growth and sustained value creation. Management anticipates at least 100 basis points of core operating margin expansion in aggregate in the next three years.
At its core, PepsiCo is executing broader, consumer-centric innovations that align well with the shifting consumer preferences toward healthier offerings, positioning it to reignite growth over time. The company intends to advance and accelerate its global productivity efforts through more automation, digitalization and simplification.
PEP’s Peers: How are They Doing?
The Coca-Cola Company KO and Monster Beverage Corp. MNST are making constant efforts to aid margins.
Coca-Cola is driving productivity gains by leveraging technology for data analytics, streamlining supply-chain operations and improving employee engagement. This has led to increased efficiency, reduced costs and enhanced customer satisfaction, alongside aiding KO’s margins for a while. In third-quarter 2025, KO’s comparable currency-neutral operating income advanced 15% on strong organic revenue growth across most segments, effective cost management and the timing of marketing investments. Coca-Cola is achieving greater productivity in the marketing area through advanced analytics, improved media efficiency and disciplined spending.
Monster Beverage places a strong emphasis on boosting productivity. It focuses on productivity through strategic investments in research and development, operational excellence and cost management. MNST continues to innovate with new flavors and health-oriented products while optimizing its supply chain and implementing strategic pricing actions to enhance gross profit margins. In third-quarter 2025, gross margin expanded 250 bps, buoyed by pricing, supply-chain optimization and product sales mix. MNST’s productivity efforts, bolstered by product innovations and launches, offer a competitive edge and boost growth in the energy drinks market.
PEP’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Shares of PepsiCo have gained 8.9% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 1.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, PEP trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.82X compared with the industry’s average of 18.15X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PEP’s 2025 earnings per share (EPS) implies a year-over-year drop of 0.5% while that of 2026 EPS shows 5.4% growth. The estimates for 2025 have been on the rise while the estimate for 2026 has moved down in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
PepsiCo stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains
Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.
While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.
Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.
Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.
See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
CocaCola Company (The) (KO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Is PepsiCo's Margin Outlook Improving Despite Tariff Cost Pressures?

The Coca-Cola Company KO enters the final quarter of 2025 with organic growth momentum that underscores the strength of its all-weather strategy. In the third quarter of 2025, the company delivered organic revenue growth at the high end of its long-term model, supported by steady volume gains, effective price/mix execution and disciplined cost management.
Despite a dynamic macro backdrop, marked by inflation fatigue, uneven consumer spending and geopolitical uncertainty, Coca-Cola continued to gain value share for the 18th consecutive quarter, reinforcing its competitive positioning across markets.
Looking to 2026, management’s confidence rests on several forward-leaning levers. Pricing intensity from inflationary markets is moderating, allowing Coca-Cola to rebalance toward affordability and volume while leaning into premiumization where demand supports it. This flexibility is central to sustaining organic growth as consumer elasticity evolves. Further, ongoing productivity initiatives, from supply-chain efficiencies to marketing effectiveness, are expected to support margin expansion even as the company continues to invest behind brands and innovation.
Coca-Cola’s diversified footprint remains a key driver. While parts of the Asia Pacific faced softer demand due to weather and macro pressures, the company still gained value share and grew revenues and profit, highlighting execution strength. Meanwhile, emerging markets, such as Latin America and Africa, continue to offer long-term growth, supported by targeted affordability strategies and local brand relevance.
As Coca-Cola moves into 2026, organic growth resilience will hinge on its ability to balance pricing, volume and mix while navigating currency volatility and shifting consumer behavior. The underlying signals from 2025 suggest the foundation remains solid, with execution and system alignment likely determining how durable that growth proves to be.
Can PEP & KDP Match Coca-Cola’s Organic Growth in 2026?
As Coca-Cola enters 2026 with resilient organic momentum, the key question is whether rivals PepsiCo Inc. PEP and Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. KDP can keep pace amid shifting consumer demand and intensifying competition.
PepsiCo’s organic growth outlook into 2026 appears resilient, supported by steady momentum in beverages, a consistently strong international business and portfolio reshaping initiatives. Management highlighted accelerating beverage trends, expanding permissible and functional offerings, and improved performance in convenient foods. Cost discipline, sharper price-pack architecture and innovation-led growth are expected to offset supply-chain pressures, positioning PepsiCo to sustain organic revenue growth despite a cautious consumer environment.
Keurig Dr Pepper’s organic growth outlook for 2026 remains steady, supported by resilient U.S. refreshment beverage demand and improving trends in coffee. Management emphasized balanced price/mix and volume performance, productivity-led margin expansion and disciplined marketing investments. While at-home coffee remains pressured by cautious consumers, strength in cold beverages, innovation and pack-price architecture positions KDP to sustain organic growth in a moderating macro environment.
The Zacks Rundown for Coca-Cola
KO shares have risen 5.3% in the three months compared with the industry’s growth of 7.2%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Coca-Cola is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 21.71X, significantly higher than the industry’s 18.15X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KO’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 3.5% and 8%, respectively. Earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been unchanged in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Coca-Cola currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains
Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.
While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.
Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.
Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.
See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Coca-Cola's Story: Can Organic Growth Stay Resilient in 2026?

Celsius Holdings, Inc. CELH is increasingly using brand synergies as a core building block to support long-term scale as the company brings together Celsius, Alani Nu and Rockstar Energy under a more unified operating structure. On the third-quarter 2025earnings call management emphasized that the focus is not just on expanding the portfolio, but on making the brands work better together across distribution, marketing and retail execution.
As these brands move further into the PepsiCo PEP distribution system, Celsius Holdings is aligning how products are placed in stores, how promotions are timed and how priority items are supported across channels. Management noted that presenting a coordinated energy portfolio helps simplify conversations with retailers and improves how the brands perform on the shelf. This approach allows CELH to expand its reach and visibility while keeping execution consistent.
The company also noted that ideas and learnings from one brand are increasingly being used across the portfolio. Insights from the core Celsius brand, along with Alani Nu’s strong performance with limited-time flavors and consumer engagement, are helping shape decisions across other brands. At the same time, Rockstar Energy is being brought into the same sales and operating structure, with a focus on stabilizing the brand while taking advantage of shared resources.
On the operations side, Celsius Holdings is starting to benefit from moving larger volumes through the same sourcing, logistics and planning systems. Management emphasized that using shared infrastructure helps make integration smoother and more efficient while still allowing each brand to maintain its positioning and appeal to consumers.
Overall, the third quarter underscored Celsius Holdings’ belief that disciplined brand integration, rather than managing brands in isolation, is key to building a scalable and more efficient platform over time.
CELH’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Celsius Holdings, which competes with PepsiCo and Monster Beverage MNST, has seen its shares surge 76.4% in the past year against the industry’s decline of 14.8%. Shares of PepsiCo have declined 5.2%, while Monster Beverage rallied 47.2% in the aforementioned period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CELH’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 30.77 reflects a higher valuation than the industry’s average of 14.53. Celsius Holdings has a Value Score of D. Celsius Holdings is also trading at a premium to PepsiCo (with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 16.82) while trading at a discount to Monster Beverage’s ratio of 34.39.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CELH’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 78.6% and 18.7%, respectively.
Celsius Holdings currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains
Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.
While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.
Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.
Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.
See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Celsius Holdings Bets on Brand Synergies to Drive Long-Term Scale

Key Points
Consumer staples makers are under pressure, which has left some of the industry's most iconic names with attractive prices.
Coca-Cola is performing well despite the industry's headwinds and appears reasonably priced.
PepsiCo isn't hitting on all cylinders today, but the price appears highly attractive.
Two significant trends are emerging in the consumer staples sector. First, consumers are concerned about rising costs, and many are reining in their spending. Second, consumers are increasingly opting for healthier food options. Both are potentially bad news for food-focused consumer staples companies, and investors have reacted by shifting away from food companies.
If you are a contrarian, this is an opportunity. As is often the case on Wall Street, the baby is getting tossed out with the bathwater. So, even historically well-run companies like Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) appear to be on sale. Here's why these could be no-brainer stocks to buy right now.
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Coke vs. Pepsi
Coca-Cola is the world's most prominent non-alcoholic beverage company. Its portfolio of brands is industry-leading, and many of its products have a highly loyal customer base. Its marketing and distribution prowess is on par with any of its peers. And the company is large enough to use acquisitions to quickly update its brand and product offerings if it falls out of step with consumer tastes.
PepsiCo competes with Coca-Cola in the beverage market, but it is more accurately viewed as a diversified food maker. In addition to being a large player in the beverage space, PepsiCo is also the world's largest salty snack company (Frito-Lay) and a major force in the packaged food space (Quaker Oats). It stands toe-to-toe with Coca-Cola in terms of its business capabilities.
In fact, both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo rank among the world's 10 largest consumer staples companies. Coca-Cola is ranked fourth on the list, and PepsiCo is ranked seventh. They also share another elite membership, as both companies are Dividend Kings. It requires a strong business plan that gets executed well in both good times and bad to increase a dividend annually for 50-plus years.
At their core, both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are very good companies. However, investors are downbeat on the consumer staples sector, as noted above. Both stocks should appear attractive to investors who think in decades, rather than days.
Coca-Cola is reasonably priced
Coca-Cola is likely to be more appealing to conservative investors. That's largely because the business is performing fairly well, despite the difficult operating environment. To put some numbers on that, the company's organic sales rose 6% in the third quarter of 2025. That was up from 5% in the second quarter and far above the third quarter tally of PepsiCo, which was just 1.3%.
The relatively strong performance, however, means that Coca-Cola's valuation is somewhat less attractive than that of PepsiCo at present. Still, Coca-Cola appears reasonably priced, if not a little cheap. Its price-to-sales ratio is roughly on par with its five-year average, and the 2.9% dividend yield is middle of the road, historically speaking. However, Coca-Cola's price-to-earnings and price-to-book-value ratios are both below their five-year averages.
Taken as a whole, these valuation tools hint at a reasonable entry point for more conservative investors.
PepsiCo looks like an attractive value
As noted, PepsiCo is lagging behind Coca-Cola in terms of business performance. However, it gets worse. The company's 1.3% organic sales growth in the third quarter was down from 2.1% in the second quarter of 2025. Thus, it looks like things are getting worse for PepsiCo, not better, right now. Given the company's long and successful history, however, it seems likely that it will eventually figure out a way to get back on track.
Still, investors are worried, and the stock price has been very weak. The roughly 4% dividend yield is near the highest levels in the company's history. Its P/S and P/B ratios are both below their five-year averages. The P/E ratio is above the five-year average, but earnings are highly variable from year to year and weak right now, so that's not shocking. Taken together, these metrics suggest PepsiCo is on the sale rack.
You'll need a strong stomach to buy PepsiCo right now, but if history is any guide, this is a temporary situation. Notably, it has been buying new brands to better align its product portfolio with consumer trends. There's also an activist investor pushing the company to follow Coca-Cola's lead and outsource the bottling of its beverages, which could improve profit margins. There are numerous moving parts, but a positive outcome for long-term investors seems likely.
Go against the grain and do it with quality
Contrarian investors should take note when an entire sector is put into the Wall Street doghouse. It is a time for a deep dive, and it can be an opportunity to buy some of the industry's best players at attractive prices. That's what appears to be on offer with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo today. Coca-Cola's relatively strong business performance makes it the better pick for more conservative investors, while PepsiCo will likely appeal to those willing to take greater risks for greater rewards. Or, just maybe, the right risk-reward balance for you is to buy a little of each.
Should you buy stock in Coca-Cola right now?
Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Coca-Cola wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
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Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in PepsiCo. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

2 No-Brainer Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now

Key Points
Coca-Cola is still a stalwart investment, but rival PepsiCo offers more to newcomers right now.
The oil and gas industry is still nowhere near its once-expected end. Energy giant Chevron remains one of the best income-based bets in the business.
It’s not a household name, but Brookfield Asset Management is built to be a fantastic dividend payer thanks to its recurring, growing revenue and generous payout ratio.
The holiday gift-giving season may be wrapping up, but that doesn't mean investors can't ring in the New Year with some gifts to themselves that keep on giving the whole year long. The right dividend stocks will add ever-increasing value to your portfolio, either through growing cash payouts, or -- when these payments are reinvested -- more shares of the stock paying them. And given that reliable dividend stocks tend to outperform inconsistent or non-dividend payers, even growth-minded investors might be wise to make a point of adding some of these names to their holdings.
To this end, here's a closer look at three dividend stocks that would be smart additions to nearly anyone's portfolio. In no particular order...
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
PepsiCo
One of the most popular income stocks from the consumer staples sector of the stock market is Coca-Cola. And understandably so. The company's products are among the beverage industry's best-known, while the company itself has not only paid a dividend like clockwork for decades, but has raised its dividend payment every year for the past 63 years.
If you're looking for a better yield opportunity from a consumer goods name, however, Coca-Cola rival PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) is arguably the better beverage bet right now, while its forward-looking dividend yield stands at nearly 4%.
Granted, as anyone keeping tabs on this company of late knows, this yield has been pumped up largely because PepsiCo's stock has underperformed.
Blame inflation, mostly. Some of PepsiCo's rising costs have been passed along to its customers, but many of them haven't, biting into its profits.
These headwinds are finally abating, though, after the company itself has regrouped into a more relevant and marketable family of brands. For instance, in March the company acquired prebiotic soda brand Poppi, and in July unveiled the world's first prebiotic cola.
Analysts aren't looking for an explosive response to these and other overhauls. But, they do expect sales growth to accelerate to a pace of 3.6% in the year ahead, driving even faster earnings growth. Once other investors see this growth materializing, they could jump on board pretty quickly, dragging this stock's current dividend yield lower by driving the stock's price higher. Acting before that happens would be better than moving after the fact.
Contrary to a common assumption, the advent of renewable energy and electric vehicles isn't reducing the consumption of fossil fuels like crude oil and natural gas; the need for electricity and transportation is absorbing all of this capacity growth, and then some. Indeed, the International Energy Agency now believes the world's daily usage of oil won't reach its absolute peak until 2050, pushing a previous prediction much further down the road. And even then, they'll only modestly dwindle for the next few decades.
Translation: There's still money to be made in the oil business, and there will be for a long while.
Enter Chevron (NYSE: CVX) ... one of the oil industry's biggest and best-known names. Last year, it turned a top line of $203 billion into net income of nearly $18 billion, and is on pace to report comparable numbers this year. This massive size and scale, of course, means the company can fund the very best of opportunities and operate more cost-efficiently. More specifically, it means that deeper-pocketed Chevron can afford to operate a more complex business that includes drilling, refining, and transportation, which allows it to safely maintain its dividend and required capital expenditures even if oil prices dip to $50 per barrel. The company can cover all of its upstream production costs with oil priced as low as $30 per barrel, in fact, making it one of the most cost-effective players in the energy business.
More importantly to interested income investors, it means Chevron's track record of 38 years of uninterrupted annual dividend growth should remain uninterrupted well into the indefinite future. Newcomers will be plugging in while its forward-looking yield stands at just under 4.6%.
Brookfield Asset Management
Last but not least, add Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM) to your list of dividend stocks that keep on giving well after you buy them.
If the name rings a bell, it may be because several investments bearing the same name are part of this family. These include Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable Partners, and Brookfield Business Partners. Each of these outfits brings its own unique investment proposition to the table, capitalizing on the modern-day economy's top opportunities, ranging from energy infrastructure to real estate to artificial intelligence to private equity in several perpetually marketable service businesses. Brookfield Renewable's hydroelectric power plants located in Pennsylvania, for instance, will supply more than $3 billion worth of power to data centers owned and operated by Alphabet's Google for the next several years. In many cases, there's no other way to invest in these up-and-coming companies.
Brookfield Asset Management itself is different, though. It's the manager of this entire family of funds, collecting ongoing fees for its work as the management firm for over $1 trillion worth of businesses. More to the point, this recurring fee-based business is ideally suited for supporting dividends and dividend growth. Its target revenue growth of between 15% and 20% for the foreseeable future. With a payout ratio on the order of 90%, shareholders' dividend income should grow at roughly this same pace.
You'll never get explosive capital gains from this stock; that's the trade-off with a management fee-based business like this one. With plausible growth in the low double-digits and a forward-looking dividend yield of 3.3% for today's buyers, however, reinvesting your ever-rising dividends in more shares of BAM could translate into long-term net gains readily rivaling those of most growth stocks.
Should you buy stock in PepsiCo right now?
Before you buy stock in PepsiCo, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and PepsiCo wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $504,994!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,156,218!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 986% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 196% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of December 26, 2025.
James Brumley has positions in Alphabet and Coca-Cola. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Brookfield Asset Management, and Chevron. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable, and Brookfield Renewable Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Dividend Stocks to Buy to Create the Gift That Keeps on Giving

In the global beverage arena, no rivalry is as enduring as PepsiCo Inc. PEP and The Coca-Cola Company KO. These two icons not only compete for shelf space but also for market share, mindshare and strategic dominance across vastly different business models.
Coca-Cola is a pure-play beverage powerhouse, built on brand licensing and unmatched global distribution. PepsiCo, in contrast, blends drinks with a massive snacks empire, reshaping its competitive edge. This face-off explores how market position and business structure define who really leads.
The Case for PEP
PepsiCo’s investment case is grounded in its dominant market position and scale across the global beverage industry. The company continues to hold or gain carbonated soft drink share in roughly two-thirds of its top international markets, underscoring the durability of its brands and distribution reach.
In third-quarter 2025, PepsiCo’s international beverage business delivered 6% organic revenue growth, while non-sugar Pepsi variants achieved volume share leadership in key markets such as the U.K. This performance highlights PepsiCo’s ability to defend and expand share in a mature but highly competitive beverage landscape.
PepsiCo’s diversified business model strengthens its competitive moat. Unlike pure-play beverage peers, PepsiCo benefits from a complementary snacks portfolio that enhances shelf presence, pricing power and channel leverage.
Within beverages, management is actively reshaping the portfolio toward faster-growing segments, such as zero sugar, functional hydration, energy and modern soda. Brands like Pepsi Zero Sugar, Mountain Dew and Propel are gaining share, while poppi has emerged as a high-growth asset, delivering more than half of the retail sales growth. This portfolio mix allows PepsiCo to target a broad demographic spectrum, from value-oriented consumers to health-conscious and functionality-seeking customers.
PepsiCo continues to demonstrate resilience. Third-quarter reported net revenues rose nearly 3%, supported by accelerating momentum in North America beverages and consistent international growth. While higher supply chain and tariff-related costs pressured earnings, management is offsetting these headwinds through productivity initiatives, SKU rationalization, price-pack architecture, and increased digital and AI-driven efficiencies across the value chain.
These fundamentals, market leadership, portfolio strength and disciplined cost management, position PepsiCo to sustain cash flows and long-term shareholder returns.
The Case for KO
Coca-Cola’s investment thesis is anchored in unmatched scale, durable market leadership and consistent execution in a structurally growing global beverage industry. Management emphasized that KO has gained overall value share for 18 consecutive quarters, holding or expanding share across every geographic segment, even amid inflationary pressures, currency volatility and uneven consumer demand.
The company commands one of the deepest portfolios in the industry, with 30 billion-dollar brands, representing roughly one-quarter of all billion-dollar beverage brands globally and nearly double the count of its closest competitor, reinforcing its dominance and pricing power.
Coca-Cola’s business strategy is built around portfolio breadth, system execution and disciplined innovation. Its “total beverage” approach spans sparkling drinks, hydration, sports, coffee, juices and value-added dairy, allowing the company to capture shifting consumer preferences across demographics and income levels.
Growth brands such as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Powerade, smartwater and fairlife are complemented by affordability-focused packaging and localized brand strategies, helping KO defend share while expanding consumption occasions. Digital transformation is enhancing marketing effectiveness through personalized engagement, data-driven execution and culturally relevant campaigns, strengthening brand resonance across markets.
Coca-Cola continues to convert scale into a resilient performance. In third-quarter 2025, the company delivered 6% organic revenue growth, expanded comparable operating margins and achieved EPS growth despite meaningful currency headwinds, supported by productivity gains and disciplined cost control. Strong free cash flow generation and a conservative balance sheet provide flexibility to reinvest in growth while returning capital, reinforcing KO’s long-term compounding profile.
Price Performance & Valuation of PEP & KO
In the past year, shares of PepsiCo have tumbled 5.9% against Coca-Cola’s rally of 11.2%. Coca-Cola has clearly outperformed PepsiCo in the market. Investors have favored KO for its steadier execution, consistent market share gains and resilient global demand, while PEP has faced pressure from slower growth and margin challenges. The divergence underscores Coca-Cola’s stronger momentum and defensive appeal within the beverage sector.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, PEP currently trades at a lower forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 16.84X compared with Coca-Cola’s 21.74X, making it more attractively priced, driven by its earnings and diversified revenue stream.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The PEP stock looks cheap from a valuation perspective. Moreover, its diversity, pricing power and innovation engine make it a compelling long-term holding, especially for those seeking both growth and downside protection.
Coca-Cola does seem pricey. However, its valuations reflect its strong brand equity, disciplined capital strategy and exposure to high-growth regions, making it a resilient pick for long-term portfolios. If the company sustains its execution, the premium may be warranted.
How Does Zacks Consensus Estimate Compare for PEP & KO?
PepsiCo’s EPS estimate for 2025 inched up 0.2% in the last 30 days, while that for 2026 edged down 0.3% in the same period. PEP’s 2025 revenues are projected to increase 1.8% year over year to $93.5 billion, while EPS is expected to decline 0.5% year over year to $8.12.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Coca-Cola’s EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been unchanged in the past 30 days. KO’s 2025 revenues and EPS are expected to increase 2.7% and 3.5% year over year to $48.3 billion and $2.98 per share, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
PEP vs. KO: Who Has the Edge?
Coca-Cola appears to hold the near-term advantage, supported by stronger recent momentum and solid growth prospects. Its pure-play beverage focus, powerful brand portfolio and consistent market share gains continue to drive investor confidence and reinforce its defensive appeal.
PepsiCo, however, offers an attractive counterbalance. The stock’s relatively low valuation and favorable estimate revisions suggest growing optimism around its earnings recovery. Backed by a diversified snacks-and-beverages model and ongoing productivity efforts, PEP may appeal to investors seeking value and potential upside, while KO suits those prioritizing momentum and stability. Both PEP and KO currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

PepsiCo, Inc.

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