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 демонстрирует сильные финансовые показатели, включая высокий уровень прибыли и растущие маржи, что свидетельствует о хорошей эффективности компании. Тем не менее, мультипликаторы, такие как P/E и P/B, находятся на высоком уровне по сравнению с медианой отрасли, что может указывать на переоцененность акций. Долговая нагрузка также выше медианных значений, что создает дополнительные риски для инвесторов. Уровень дивидендов постепенно снижается, что может негативно сказаться на привлечении инвесторов. Несмотря на это, рост выручки и чистой прибыли говорит о положительной динамике, хотя текущие коэффициенты ликвидности находятся ниже отраслевых стандартов. В целом, фундаментальная картина компании остается сильной, но переоцененность и высокий уровень долга требуют осторожности при принятии инвестиционных решений.

PepsiCo, Inc.

Key Points
This exchange-traded fund (ETF) is focused on healthy, dividend-paying stocks.
It has averaged annual gains of more than 13% over the past decade.
I'm tempted to suggest a high-growth exchange-traded fund (ETF) here, but instead I want to offer a top-flight dividend-oriented ETF. Why? Well, I'm considering that the world -- and our economy -- is a little less steady than usual these days, with a war afoot and tariffs and trade wars, too. On top of that, the stock market has delivered double-digit gains in six of the past seven full years (2019-2025). It could be smart to be a defensive investor.
So dividends. Healthy and growing dividend-paying stocks offer the potential for stock-price appreciation, just like any stock. And on top of that, they deliver regular income -- which tends to grow over time via dividend increases. It's a compelling proposition in any kind of economy, really.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Meet the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
Consider the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD). Here's how it has performed in recent years:
Period
Average annual gain
Past 1 year
15.67%
Past 3 years
12.66%
Past 5 years
11.03%
Past 10 years
13.37%
Since inception (10/20/2011)
13.30%
Clearly, it's a strong performer -- and it's also a solid dividend payer, recently yielding 3.3%. Most funds tend to deliver either strong returns or strong dividend income. This one offers both.
If you invested $1,200 annually ($100 per month) in it, and you earned an annual return of, say, 10%, you'd end up with around $68,730 in 20 years.
So what's in this ETF? Here are the top 10 holdings as of March 13:
Stock
Weight in ETF
Recent yield
Lockheed Martin
4.94%
2.1%
ConocoPhillips
4.74%
2.8%
Chevron
4.70%
3.6%
Verizon Communications
4.50%
5.6%
Altria Group
4.19%
6.3%
Bristol Myers Squibb
4.18%
4.3%
Merck
4.19%
2.9%
Coca-Cola
3.96%
2.7%
PepsiCo
3.88%
3.6%
Amgen
3.85%
2.7%
The ETF holds roughly 100 stocks, many of them blue chips. Invest in the ETF now and you'll own those same stocks -- and can expect significant dividend income.
Should you buy stock in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF right now?
Before you buy stock in Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, 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 Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF 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 $514,000!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,105,029!*
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*Stock Advisor returns as of March 15, 2026.
Selena Maranjian has positions in Altria Group, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Chevron, and Merck. The Motley Fool recommends ConocoPhillips, Lockheed Martin, and Verizon Communications. 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.

1 ETF That Could Turn $100 Per Month Into $67,380

Friday, March 13, 2026
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL), Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) and PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP), as well as two micro-cap stocks Village Super Market, Inc. (VLGEA) and Air T, Inc. (AIRT). The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.
These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>
Ahead of Wall Street
The daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens, attempting to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.
You can read today's AWS here >>> Q4 GDP, Durable Goods Lower than Anticipated
Today's Featured Research Reports
Alphabet’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Internet - Services industry over the past six months (+21.2% vs. +17%). The company is benefiting from accelerated growth across AI infrastructure, Google Cloud, and Search. Google Cloud ended the fourth quarter of 2025 with $240 billion in backlog, up 55% sequentially.
GOOGL has more than 325 million paid subscriptions across consumer services with strong adoption for Google One and YouTube Premium. Gemini app now has over 750 million monthly active users and the company sold more than 8 million paid seats of Gemini enterprise in Q4.
Search is benefiting from AI Overviews and AI Mode that has driven growth in overall queries. Launching of personal intelligence in AI Mode in search and the Gemini app bodes well for Alphabet’s prospects. YouTube is benefiting from the growing demand for shorts. However, stiff competition in cloud computing has been concerning.
(You can read the full research report on Alphabet here >>>)
Shares of Cisco have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Networking industry over the past six months (+18% vs. +16.4%). The company’s business model is benefiting from strong product orders from hyperscalers, enterprises, public sector, service provider, and cloud customers. Splunk's acquisition enhances CSCO’s recurring revenue base.
The buyout significantly expands Cisco’s portfolio of software-based solutions. The launch of AI-powered Hypershield, which combines security and networking, strengthens its security portfolio. Networking sales benefits from strong demand for AI infrastructure and campus networking solutions.
Product orders from service provider and cloud customers were strong, driven by high double-digit order growth in hyperscalers. Cisco expects to take AI orders in excess of $5 billion and to recognize more than $3 billion in AI infrastructure revenue from hyperscalers in fiscal 2026.However, stiffening competition is a headwind.
(You can read the full research report on Cisco here >>>)
PepsiCo’s shares have gained +15.9% over the past six months against the Zacks Beverages - Soft drinks industry’s gain of +15.8%. The company’s performance demonstrates strong business momentum, supported by resilient international growth, steady brand innovation and disciplined execution.
The company’s international segment remains a key growth engine, delivering consistent organic revenue gains and strong profitability, driven by broad-based demand across Latin America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. In North America, the beverages business is benefiting from market share gains in flagship brands and innovation across modern soda, hydration and energy platforms.
PEP’s focus on productivity, automation and digital transformation is strengthening operational efficiency and supporting margin expansion. However, PepsiCo faces near-term operational challenges, particularly in its PFNA business, and persistent cost and tariff pressures.
(You can read the full research report on PepsiCo here >>>)
Shares of Village Super Market have gained +6.2% over the past six months against the Zacks Retail - Supermarkets industry’s gain of +20.8%. This microcap company with a market capitalization of $590.14 million has its investment case centers on improving sales momentum, strengthening cash generation, and a visible reinvestment pipeline, balanced against margin pressure and competitive risks.
Sales rose 5.7% year over year to $1.2 billion in the first half of fiscal 2026, with same-store sales increasing 3.7%, supported by digital growth, store remodels, and strength in fresh and pharmacy categories. Operating cash flow increased to $78.8 million, raising total cash to $161.2 million and improving liquidity metrics, which reduces reliance on external financing and supports capital projects.
However, gross margin declined 50 bps due to lower Wakefern-related income, promotional pressure, and sales mix shifts, highlighting earnings sensitivity in the low-margin grocery model. Despite these risks, the stock trades at significant valuation discounts to peers and the broader market.
(You can read the full research report on Village Super Market here >>>)
Air T shares have underperformed the Zacks Transportation - Air Freight and Cargo industry over the past six months (-5.9% vs. +34.8%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $60.49 million is facing elevated leverage, rising interest expense and operating cash usage limit financial flexibility. FedEx concentration and Rex integration risk add uncertainty. The valuation suggests the market remains cautious despite potential upside from platform expansion despite potential upside from operational improvements.
Nevertheless, Air T’s investment case reflects a diversified aviation platform with mixed fundamentals. Ground Support Equipment and Digital Solutions show improving momentum, with backlog growth and rising recurring revenue supporting longer-term earnings potential.
The Overnight Air Cargo segment provides baseline cash flow through long-standing FedEx feeder relationships. Strategic initiatives, including the Rex regional airline acquisition and the Crestone–Arena aviation asset management expansion, could scale the platform and broaden lifecycle exposure.
(You can read the full research report on Air T here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Western Digital Corp. (WDC), Ford Motor Co. (F) and PPL Corp. (PPL).
Mark Vickery
Senior Editor
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>
Today's Must Read
Featured Reports
Regulated Investments and Cost Mangement Aid PPL Corp. (PPL)
Per the Zacks analyst PPL's cost management initiatives will have positive impact on margins and its planned $23B investments through 2029 will strengthen its operation.
Higher Investment Income Aid Ares Capital (ARCC), Rising Costs Ail
Per the Zacks analyst, robust loan originations, higher investment commitment and portfolio activity will boost Ares Capital's investment income. Yet, rising costs and regulatory constraints are woes.
Solid Growth of Digital Platform Aids Western Union (WU)
Per the Zacks Analyst, Western Union's digital platform delivers accelerated money transfer services amid growing demand. However, a debt-laden balance sheet induces a rise in interest expenses.
ABM to Benefit From ELEVATE Initiative, Competition High
Per the Zacks analyst, ABM's multi-year comprehensive strategic plan, ELEVATE, is expected to accelerate the company's top-line growth and reinforce profitability. Rising competition is an overhang.
Recursion Shows Good Pipeline Progress, Lacks an Approved Product
Per the Zacks Analyst, RXRX's pipeline programs show promise. However, it has no approved products and remains years from commercialization, leaving the stock exposed to clinical risk.
Focus on Patient Monitoring Aids Masimo (MASI) Amid Stiff Competition
The Zacks analyst is optimistic about Masimo's patient-monitoring and connectivity platforms serving as integrated hubs despite its operation in a tough competitive space.
California Resources (CRC) to Gain from Berry Merger
The Zacks analyst believes that the merger with Berry Corporation enhances California Resources' scale, efficiency and cash flow generation but the elevated cost structure remains a concern.
New Upgrades
Western Digital (WDC) Poised for Growth on AI Storage and HDD Demand
Per the Zacks analyst, Western Digital's performance is being driven by higher demand for cloud end market and Agentic AI. It has formulated strategies to tackle macro and geopolitical woes.
Partnership with ServiceTitan and Hybrid Strategy Aid Ford (F)
Per the Zacks analyst, the partnership with ServiceTitan will position the Ford Pro unit as a major long-term growth driver for Ford. Also, its hybrid strategy adds resilience as EV adoption evolves.
Carter's (CRI) Experiences Strength in Retail and International Units
Per the Zacks analyst, Carter's is seeing momentum across its U.S. Retail and International segments for a while. In Q4, U.S. Retail sales grew 9.4% and International unit's sales rose 10.2%.
New Downgrades
Campbell's (CPB) Appears Troubled by Elevated Cost Inflation
Per the Zacks analyst, cost inflation hurt Campbell's gross margin. In Q2 adjusted gross profit margin fell 270 basis points to 27.7%, impacted by cost inflation and supply-chain costs among others.
Contract Delays and Weak Awards Hurt KBR's (KBR) Performance
Per the Zacks analyst, slower award activity and delays in program decisions, particularly within the Mission Technology segment, are weighing on KBR's near-term growth prospects.
Dycom's Growth is Hurting from Macro Uncertainties and Execution Risks
Per the Zacks analyst, Dycom is hurting from its exposure to seasonality and execution risks across projects. Also, high revenue concentration with a few large customers poses conversion risks.
Just Released: Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2026
Hurry – you can still get in early on our 10 top tickers for 2026. Handpicked by Zacks Director of Research Sheraz Mian, this portfolio has been stunningly and consistently successful.
From inception in 2012 through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.
Sheraz has combed through 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank and handpicked the best 10 to buy and hold in 2026. You can still be among the first to see these just-released stocks with enormous potential.
See New Top 10 Stocks >>
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Air T, Inc. (AIRT): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Top Analyst Reports for Alphabet, Cisco & PepsiCo

Key Points
By acquiring a rapidly expanding competitor last year, the overall business could boost its growth going forward.
The top two brands in this industry have commanding market share, which introduces an ultimate cap on this company’s long-term potential.
Investors will have to weigh the bull and bear cases to decide what to do with the stock.
Past results are no guarantee of future returns. All stock market investors are familiar with this principle. However, it's still interesting to look at businesses whose shares have performed extremely well in the past. Maybe they could make for worthy investment candidates today.
There's one consumer discretionary stock that has skyrocketed 6,300% in the past decade (as of March 6), turning a $1,000 starting sum into $64,000 today (as of March 6). Investors need to know the bull and bear case.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Rising up the ranks in the energy drink category
The historical growth trajectory of Celsius (NASDAQ: CELH) is incredible. The health-focused energy drink company reported annualized revenue growth of 78% between 2019 and 2024. Last year, it acquired Alani Nu -- a better-for-you beverage business targeted to women -- for more than $1.6 billion, to bolster its offerings. This brand alone put up a 101% year-over-year retail sales gain in 2025, further supporting the growth for the overall company.
In 2022, Celsius entered into a partnership with PepsiCo, allowing the beverage giant to handle distribution. This will help Celsius and Alani Nu continue to broaden their reach.
Celsius is also putting significant effort into its branding initiatives, which is critical in a market like this. It leans on influencers to connect with consumers. And it just announced the creation of its own in-house branding agency to drive creative efforts.
The bull case is supported by Alani Nu's success, the PepsiCo partnership, and effective marketing tactics.
Competitive forces are hard to ignore
One of the most notable bearish risks rests on competition. The Celsius brand saw its retail sales stagnate over the second half of 2025. With Alani Nu and Rockstar Energy, which it acquired in August, the market share of the total entity of 19.8% is still well behind the leaders in the industry, Red Bull (35.9% market share) and Monster Beverage (27.3%).
These two competing brands certainly resonate strongly with consumers around the globe. Consequently, Celsius' ultimate potential could be limited, with the best days of growth in the past. It's also easy to argue that there isn't yet a durable moat. And barriers to entry appear to be low, which opens up the door to newer brands launching in the future.
The current valuation also adds to the bear case. Celsius shares are trading 55% below their peak. But they're still expensive. Investors are being asked to pay a forward price-to-earnings of 28.4. That's much higher than the overall stock market.
The final word
Celsius' ascent is nothing short of spectacular. But the gains will slow. The consensus view among sell-side analysts is that earnings per share will increase at a compound annual rate of just 10% between 2026 and 2028, which provides a starting point that accounts for the full integration of the 2025 acquisitions.
Add this to the valuation, coupled with the intensely competitive nature of the industry, and I'm not buying Celsius shares today.
Should you buy stock in Celsius right now?
Before you buy stock in Celsius, 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 Celsius 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 $530,233!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,119,682!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 955% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 191% 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 March 10, 2026.
Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Celsius and Monster Beverage. 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.

You Need to Know the Bull and Bear Case for This Monster Stock That Turned a $1,000 Investment Into $64,000 in 10 Years

The Coca-Cola Company KO has displayed reasonable strength with 12.5% rally in the past month, outperforming the Beverages – Soft Drinks industry’s 7% growth and the Consumer Staples sector’s 6.7% rise. The company also outperformed the S&P 500’s 2.6% decline. The stock’s momentum reflects the company’s ability to navigate a complex consumer and macro backdrop through sharper execution and sustained brand investment.
KO’s 1-Month Stock Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock has fared better than its key peers such as PepsiCo Inc. PEP, Monster Beverage Corporation MNST and Fomento Economico Mexicano FMX in the past month. PepsiCo, Monster Beverage and Fomento Economico have posted growth of 8.4%, 4.4% and 6.5%, respectively, in the past month.
At its current price of $77.80, the KO stock trades 19.1% above its 52-week low mark of $65.35 and 5.1% below its 52-week high mark of $82.
Coca-Cola is trading above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating a bullish sentiment. SMA is an essential tool in technical analysis that helps investors evaluate price trends by smoothing out short-term fluctuations. This approach also provides a clearer perspective on a stock's long-term direction.
Coca-Cola Stock Trades Above 50-Day & 200-Day Moving Averages
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What’s Behind KO’s Recent Stock Rally?
Coca-Cola’s recent stock rally has been largely fueled by its strong fourth-quarter 2025 performance, which reinforced investor confidence in the beverage giant’s resilient business model. The company reported quarterly earnings that topped the consensus estimate, reflecting solid execution across key markets. Revenues and earnings per share increased on a year-over-year basis, underscoring the company’s ability to sustain growth even in a challenging macroeconomic environment. The results highlighted continued momentum across the business, supported by disciplined pricing actions and strong demand for Coca-Cola’s broad portfolio of beverages.
A key factor behind the performance was Coca-Cola’s enhanced pricing strategy, which helped drive revenue growth across multiple markets. Management emphasized that pricing, combined with effective revenue growth management, remained a critical lever for offsetting cost pressures and protecting margins. The company also benefited from resilient consumer demand for its flagship brands, demonstrating the strength of its diversified beverage portfolio across sparkling soft drinks, juices, coffee and sports drinks. This momentum reflects Coca-Cola’s “all-weather strategy,” which focuses on brand strength, disciplined pricing, global scale and continuous innovation to navigate different economic cycles.
The company’s results reaffirm the durability of Coca-Cola’s operating model. Even amid shifting consumer trends and macro uncertainty, the company continues to deliver steady growth through a combination of premiumization, targeted marketing and strong global distribution. The fourth-quarter performance not only exceeded market expectations but also reinforced investor confidence in the company’s long-term growth strategy, helping drive the recent upward movement in the stock.
Estimate Revision Trend for KO
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Coca-Cola’s 2026 and 2027 EPS has moved up by a penny in the past 30 days. For 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for KO’s revenues and EPS implies 3.7% and 8% year-over-year growth, respectively. The consensus mark for 2027 revenues and earnings suggests 2.3% and 7.4% year-over-year growth, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
KO’s Premium Valuation
Coca-Cola currently trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 23.75X, which positions it at a premium compared with the industry’s average of 19.3X. This adds to investor unease, especially considering its Value Score of F, which suggests it may not be a strong value proposition at current levels.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
At 23.75X P/E, Coca-Cola trades at a significant premium to its industry peers like PepsiCo and Fomento Economico, which trade at more reasonable multiples of 18.64X and 23.55X, all significantly lower than that of KO. Meanwhile, Monster Beverage trades at 32.17X, reflecting a premium to KO’s multiple.
Coca-Cola commands a high valuation, reflecting its strong market positioning, brand power and long-term growth potential compared with other non-alcoholic beverage companies. The company’s ability to deliver on its promise of offering something for everyone to drink, with a focus on innovation and digital expansion, is crucial.
Is KO’s stock Momentum Enough to Buy Now?
Coca-Cola’s recent stock momentum reflects renewed investor confidence in the beverage giant’s resilient operating model. The company’s strong fourth-quarter performance, which exceeded expectations, along with upward estimate revisions, underscores optimism surrounding its earnings potential. Continued business momentum, supported by effective pricing strategies and steady demand across its beverage portfolio, reinforces the market’s positive sentiment toward the stock.
However, Coca-Cola’s premium valuation relative to industry peers may make some investors cautious at current levels. While the company’s strong brand equity, global scale and consistent execution support a long-term growth narrative, the elevated multiple suggests limited room for immediate upside. As a result, existing investors may consider retaining the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock in their portfolios to benefit from its stable growth profile, while value-focused investors may prefer to wait for more attractive entry points before building positions. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. Little-known AI firms tackling the world's biggest problems may be more lucrative in the coming months and years.
See
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.

Coca-Cola Stock Rises 12.5% in a Month: Buy the Rally or Wait?

Looking at options trading activity among components of the Russell 3000 index, there is noteworthy activity today in Rocket Companies Inc Class A (Symbol: RKT), where a total volume of 117,857 contracts has been traded thus far today, a contract volume which is representative of approximately 11.8 million underlying shares (given that every 1 contract represents 100 underlying shares). That number works out to 40.4% of RKT's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 29.2 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $22 strike call option expiring May 15, 2026, with 13,662 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 1.4 million underlying shares of RKT. Below is a chart showing RKT's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $22 strike highlighted in orange:
Mitek Systems, Inc. (Symbol: MITK) options are showing a volume of 4,761 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 476,100 underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 40.4% of MITK's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 1.2 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $17.50 strike call option expiring July 17, 2026, with 4,335 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 433,500 underlying shares of MITK. Below is a chart showing MITK's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $17.50 strike highlighted in orange:
And PepsiCo Inc (Symbol: PEP) options are showing a volume of 32,243 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 3.2 million underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 40.1% of PEP's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 8.0 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $140 strike put option expiring June 18, 2026, with 5,019 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 501,900 underlying shares of PEP. Below is a chart showing PEP's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $140 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for RKT options, MITK options, or PEP options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Also see:
Institutional Holders of UCTT
Top Ten Hedge Funds Holding CRK
ELVA Average Annual Return
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Notable Friday Option Activity: RKT, MITK, PEP

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (Symbol: QQQM) where we have detected an approximate $295.8 million dollar outflow -- that's a 0.4% decrease week over week (from 284,580,000 to 283,400,000). Among the largest underlying components of QQQM, in trading today PepsiCo Inc (Symbol: PEP) is off about 1.4%, Gilead Sciences Inc (Symbol: GILD) is off about 0.6%, and Starbucks Corp. (Symbol: SBUX) is lower by about 1.7%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the QQQM Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of QQQM, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, QQQM's low point in its 52 week range is $165.72 per share, with $262.2342 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $248.42. 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 ».
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.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Noteworthy ETF Outflows: QQQM, PEP, GILD, SBUX

PepsiCo (PEP) closed the most recent trading day at $160.80, moving -1.9% from the previous trading session. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.57% loss on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a drop of 1.61%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 0.26%.
The food and beverage company's shares have seen a decrease of 1.36% over the last month, not keeping up with the Consumer Staples sector's loss of 0.16% and the S&P 500's loss of 0.15%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of PepsiCo in its upcoming release. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $1.55, reflecting a 4.73% increase from the same quarter last year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $18.93 billion, showing a 5.63% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.
Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $8.55 per share and revenue of $97.96 billion. These totals would mark changes of +5.04% and +4.29%, respectively, from last year.
Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for PepsiCo. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.
Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.17% increase. PepsiCo is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
In terms of valuation, PepsiCo is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 19.18. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 19.96 of its industry.
It's also important to note that PEP currently trades at a PEG ratio of 3.15. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. As the market closed yesterday, the Beverages - Soft drinks industry was having an average PEG ratio of 2.24.
The Beverages - Soft drinks industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 141, placing it within the bottom 43% of over 250 industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow PEP in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
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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 (PEP) Dips More Than Broader Market: What You Should Know

(RTTNews) - Gatorade, a division of PepsiCo (PEP), announced that it has launched Gatorade Lower Sugar, a new science-backed hydration option designed for those seeking fewer sugars without compromising performance. With 75% less sugar than Gatorade Thirst Quencher and no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or colors, this innovation ushers in a new era of smarter hydration.
Available nationwide beginning March 2026, Gatorade Lower Sugar comes in four refreshing flavors: Fruit Punch, Lemonade, Glacier Cherry, and the much-anticipated return of Rain Berry.
The company noted that the new formula is designed for the 150 million Americans who experience mild to moderate dehydration weekly, delivering Gatorade's proven electrolyte blend that hydrates better than water.
Consumers can find Gatorade Lower Sugar in 28-fl. oz, 20-fl. oz, and 12-fl. oz bottles, with a suggested retail price ranging from $1.89 to $3.39, available at Gatorade.com and retailers nationwide.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Gatorade Introduces Lower Sugar Hydration, Science-Backed And Flavor-Packed

Looking at the universe of stocks we cover at Dividend Channel, on 3/6/26, PepsiCo Inc (Symbol: PEP), Kimberly-Clark Corp. (Symbol: KMB), and Flowers Foods, Inc. (Symbol: FLO) will all trade ex-dividend for their respective upcoming dividends. PepsiCo Inc will pay its quarterly dividend of $1.4225 on 3/31/26, Kimberly-Clark Corp. will pay its quarterly dividend of $1.28 on 4/2/26, and Flowers Foods, Inc. will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.2475 on 3/20/26. As a percentage of PEP's recent stock price of $164.91, this dividend works out to approximately 0.86%, so look for shares of PepsiCo Inc to trade 0.86% lower — all else being equal — when PEP shares open for trading on 3/6/26. Similarly, investors should look for KMB to open 1.22% lower in price and for FLO to open 2.68% lower, all else being equal.
Below are dividend history charts for PEP, KMB, and FLO, showing historical dividends prior to the most recent ones declared.
PepsiCo Inc (Symbol: PEP):
Kimberly-Clark Corp. (Symbol: KMB):
Flowers Foods, Inc. (Symbol: FLO):
In general, dividends are not always predictable, following the ups and downs of company profits over time. Therefore, a good first due diligence step in forming an expectation of annual yield going forward, is looking at the history above, for a sense of stability over time. This can help in judging whether the most recent dividends from these companies are likely to continue. If they do continue, the current estimated yields on annualized basis would be 3.45% for PepsiCo Inc, 4.89% for Kimberly-Clark Corp., and 10.73% for Flowers Foods, Inc..
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In Wednesday trading, PepsiCo Inc shares are currently off about 1.4%, Kimberly-Clark Corp. shares are down about 4.7%, and Flowers Foods, Inc. shares are down about 3% on the day.
Click here to learn which 25 S.A.F.E. dividend stocks should be on your radar screen »
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Ex-Dividend Reminder: PepsiCo, Kimberly-Clark and Flowers Foods

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. KDP continues to demonstrate that its U.S. Refreshment Beverages segment is the primary engine behind its broader growth narrative. While coffee faces cyclical cost pressures, the refreshment portfolio spanning carbonated soft drinks, energy and sports hydration is delivering consistent share gains and strong in-market execution. Innovation, disciplined pricing and expanded distribution have positioned the segment to drive both near-term performance and long-term category relevance.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, U.S. Refreshment Beverages sales rose 11.5% year over year to $2.7 billion, supported by a 4.5% increase in net price realization and 7% growth in volume/mix. Segment operating income climbed 8.7%, reflecting strong performance across core CSD brands, continued momentum in energy through GHOST and C4, and robust gains in sports hydration led by Electrolit. The energy platform alone gained nearly 1.5 share points, highlighting competitive strength in one of the fastest-growing beverage categories.
Looking ahead, the refreshment unit appears well positioned to sustain momentum. Continued innovation, expanded cold-vault presence and distribution gains — particularly in convenience channels — should reinforce market share expansion. With consumer demand holding up across key categories and pricing elasticity remaining manageable, KDP’s refreshment business is not only supporting current earnings stability but also shaping the company’s long-term growth trajectory.
Beyond core performance, KDP’s flexible build, buy and partner model further strengthens the segment’s long-term outlook. Strategic partnerships and bolt-on acquisitions have allowed the company to quickly scale emerging brands while leveraging its direct store delivery network for faster commercialization. As energy and hydration continue to outpace traditional beverage growth, the refreshment unit remains central to KDP’s strategy of diversifying revenue streams and enhancing margin resilience over time.
Comparing KDP With PEP, MNST & KO
PepsiCo PEP: PepsiCo’s long-term growth thesis remains anchored in its balanced beverage and convenient foods portfolio, providing both scale and resilience. Within beverages, zero-sugar carbonates, sports drinks under Gatorade and energy offerings continue to support mix improvement and pricing power. Its global distribution network and disciplined cost management enhance margin durability, while productivity initiatives and portfolio optimization position the company to navigate inflationary pressures and shifting consumer preferences.
Monster Beverage Corporation MNST: Monster’s strategy is tightly focused on the fast-growing energy category, where innovation, premium positioning and international expansion drive momentum. The company continues to benefit from strong brand equity, category tailwinds and expanding distribution partnerships. While input cost volatility and competitive intensity remain considerations, Monster’s asset-light model, strong cash generation and high-margin profile support long-term earnings growth potential.
The Coca-Cola Company KO: Coca-Cola’s growth outlook is supported by its global scale, brand portfolio strength and disciplined revenue growth management. The company continues to drive gains through zero-sugar innovation, premiumization and expansion across hydration, coffee and ready-to-drink categories. Pricing power, refranchised bottling operations and strong emerging market exposure provide structural advantages, though macroeconomic volatility and currency fluctuations remain key external variables for Coca-Cola.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.