PepsiCo’s stock climbs after earnings beat consensus and company raises guidance

Excluding nonrecurring items, core earnings per share of $2.25 were ahead of the FactSet consensus of $2.15.

Revenue grew to $23.453 billion from $21.971 billion, also ahead of the FactSet consensus of $23.413 billion.

“We are pleased with our performance as our businesses and associates displayed tremendous agility and resilience across geographies and categories in an evolving and dynamic environment,” Chief Executive Ramon Laguarta said in a statement.

Wedbush analysts said revenue growth was “completely price-led” with 11 points of price/mix offset by a low-single-digit volume decline.

“We note that five of PepsiCo’s seven segments realized
operating margin expansion with four segments delivering triple digit expansion led by Europe (280 basis points), followed by APAC (250 bps), PBNA (150 bps) and Latam (120 bps),” analysts wrote in a note to clients.

Wedbush rates the stock the equivalent of buy with a 12-month price target of $195, or 21% above its current price.

Revenue at Frito-Lay North America rose 7%, while it was up 5% at Quaker Foods North America. PepsiCo Beverages North America rose 8%, while Latin America was up 21% and Europe up 2%.

Revenue for Africa, Middle East and South Asia fell 6%, while Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand and China Region’s revenue was up 4%.

For 2023, the company revised its core EPS guidance to $7.54 from $7.47 previously.

“For fiscal year 2024, we expect to deliver results towards the upper end of our long-term target ranges for both organic revenue and core constant currency EPS growth,” said the statement.

The company’s long-term target ranges for both organic revenue growth — 4% to 6% growth — and core constant currency EPS growth– high-single-digit percentage increase– remain unchanged.

The stock has fallen 11% in the year to date, while the S&P 500
SPX
has gained 13%.