PepsiCo Exceeds Expectations Despite U.S. Slowdown

PepsiCo surpasses Wall Street expectations for revenue and profit in the first quarter, propelled by robust demand for its sodas and snacks in international markets.

International Growth Amid U.S. Slowdown:

While facing a slowdown in the United States, PepsiCo experiences growth in Europe, Asia Pacific, and China, where consumers continue to invest in the company’s sodas and chips despite economic strains.

PepsiCo CFO Jamie Caulfield acknowledges the impact of consumer inflation on strained budgets, which has led to a slight decline in product demand in the U.S. market. However, Caulfield anticipates this strain diminishing over time.

CEO Ramon Laguarta highlights PepsiCo’s strategy of expanding its portfolio in both developed and emerging markets with new offerings, such as flavored Quaker instant oats and Celsius energy drinks, to stimulate demand.

Fiscal Outlook and Market Response:

Despite maintaining fiscal 2024 forecasts, PepsiCo’s shares experience a 1.5% decline. Analysts foresee another year of price-led revenue growth, emphasizing PepsiCo’s resilience amidst pricing adjustments.

Sales at PepsiCo’s North American beverage unit increased by 1%, while the Quaker Foods North America unit faced a 24% decline due to product recalls. PepsiCo anticipates gradual improvement in North American businesses post-recall impacts.

Financial Performance:

PepsiCo’s first-quarter net revenue rises to $18.25 billion, surpassing estimates, with a core profit of $1.61 per share, exceeding analyst expectations.