Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) Stock

PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) had its price target lifted by analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $169.00 to $173.00 in a report released on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft’s price objective indicates a potential upside of 9.72% from the stock’s current price.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Wall Street Zen raised PepsiCo from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, March 7th. HSBC lifted their price target on PepsiCo from $152.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on PepsiCo from $176.00 to $172.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Evercore lifted their price target on PepsiCo from $152.00 to $165.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their price target on PepsiCo from $172.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $170.05.

PepsiCo Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ PEP opened at $157.67 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.90. PepsiCo has a fifty-two week low of $127.60 and a fifty-two week high of $171.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $215.53 billion, a PE ratio of 24.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.40. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $159.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $151.65.

PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 16th. The company reported $1.61 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $19.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.89 billion. PepsiCo had a return on equity of 56.61% and a net margin of 9.15%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 8.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.48 EPS. PepsiCo has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.465-8.628 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that PepsiCo will post 8.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

PepsiCo declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, February 3rd that authorizes the company to repurchase $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 4.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brave Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of PepsiCo in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $213,000. Cidel Asset Management Inc. increased its position in PepsiCo by 18.3% during the 1st quarter. Cidel Asset Management Inc. now owns 10,870 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,688,000 after purchasing an additional 1,680 shares during the period. Cache Advisors LLC increased its position in PepsiCo by 134.5% during the 1st quarter. Cache Advisors LLC now owns 4,341 shares of the company’s stock worth $674,000 after purchasing an additional 2,490 shares during the period. Richards Merrill & Peterson Inc. raised its stake in shares of PepsiCo by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Richards Merrill & Peterson Inc. now owns 1,938 shares of the company’s stock worth $301,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bar Harbor Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of PepsiCo by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Bar Harbor Wealth Management now owns 55,702 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,650,000 after buying an additional 788 shares during the period. 73.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting PepsiCo

Here are the key news stories impacting PepsiCo this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat and volume recovery — PepsiCo reported Q1 revenue of $19.44B and EPS of $1.61 (above consensus). Management said recent price cuts on snacks helped revive U.S. food volumes, supporting top-line momentum. PepsiCo tops quarterly revenue estimates as price cuts drive demand
• Positive Sentiment: Broker support rising — Several major banks raised price targets and kept bullish ratings after the quarter (examples: Goldman to $183, BNP Paribas to $195, JPMorgan to $178, Deutsche to $173), giving the stock additional analyst-driven upside. Goldman Sachs adjusts price target on PepsiCo
• Positive Sentiment: Brand and innovation initiatives — Management highlighted a Gatorade overhaul and new product push (including energy and hydration innovations) as part of a broader “hungry and thirsty for growth” strategy that could sustain the recovery. PepsiCo Q1 earnings beat: CEO talks Gatorade overhaul & more
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary mixed — While many firms raised targets, some analysts struck cautionary notes on margins and consumer trends; expect divergent views to continue driving intraday volatility. What analysts are saying about PepsiCo after its earnings report
• Negative Sentiment: Guidance and revenue outlook under the microscope — FY‑2026 EPS and revenue ranges were viewed as modest versus some consensus math (company-provided EPS range ~8.465–8.628 and revenue guidance slightly below some estimates), which trimmed some upside despite the beat. PepsiCo Analysts Boost Their Forecasts After Upbeat Q1 Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Reputational/legal hit from Doritos controversy — Coverage notes past controversy cost the company materially; any renewed consumer backlash or litigation headlines could pressure sentiment. PepsiCo Lost Billions Amid a Doritos Controversy

PepsiCo Company Profile

PepsiCo, Inc (NASDAQ: PEP) is a multinational food and beverage company headquartered in Purchase, New York. The company develops, manufactures, markets and sells a broad portfolio of branded food and beverage products, including carbonated and noncarbonated soft drinks, bottled water, sports drinks, juices, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, salty snacks, cereals, and other convenient foods. Its leading consumer brands include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Tropicana, Quaker, Lay’s, Doritos and Cheetos, among others.

Formed through the 1965 merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay, PepsiCo has grown into a global business with integrated manufacturing, distribution and marketing operations.