PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) Trading 0.3% Higher – Here’s Why

PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) traded up 0.3% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $149.31 and last traded at $149.05. 842,524 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 87% from the average session volume of 6,471,132 shares. The stock had previously closed at $148.62.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on PEP shares. StockNews.com upgraded PepsiCo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of PepsiCo from $170.00 to $155.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on PepsiCo from $177.00 to $176.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 4th. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on PepsiCo from $183.00 to $160.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on PepsiCo from $183.00 to $165.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $177.00.

PepsiCo Trading Up 0.3 %

The company has a market capitalization of $204.59 billion, a PE ratio of 21.99, a PEG ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.54. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $153.88 and a two-hundred day moving average of $165.31. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96.

PepsiCo Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 6th were issued a dividend of $1.355 per share. This represents a $5.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.63%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 6th. PepsiCo’s dividend payout ratio is currently 79.94%.

Institutional Trading of PepsiCo

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PEP. Flavin Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of PepsiCo in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,367,000. RBA Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in PepsiCo by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. RBA Wealth Management LLC now owns 28,835 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,385,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of PepsiCo by 939.6% during the fourth quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC now owns 69,723 shares of the company’s stock valued at $10,602,000 after purchasing an additional 63,016 shares during the period. Calamos Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of PepsiCo by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Calamos Advisors LLC now owns 197,733 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,067,000 after purchasing an additional 1,993 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Patron Partners LLC raised its holdings in PepsiCo by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Patron Partners LLC now owns 8,460 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,286,000 after buying an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. 73.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

PepsiCo Company Profile

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.