PepsiCo has two risk factors

Article Excerpt

PEPSICO INC. $145 is still a hold. The company (Nasdaq symbol PEP; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares o/s: 1.4 billion; Market cap: $203.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.9; Divd. yield: 2.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.pepsico.com) has spent $10 billion in the past two years buying makers of niche drinks. Those include $3.3 billion for SodaStream International, known for its carbonated drink systems, and $3.85 billion for Rockstar Energy Beverages, which makes energy drinks that feature high levels of caffeine. Due to strong demand for snack foods, the stock has gained 40% since March 2020. It now trades at 26.3 times the $5.52 a share that PepsiCo will probably earn in 2020. That’s a high multiple for a company that is using acquisitions to expand. As well, COVID-19 closures of restaurants, movie theatres and sports arenas continue to hurt soft drink sales. PepsiCo is a hold. hold…