PepsiCo switches its exchange

Article Excerpt

PEPSICO INC. $121 (Nasdaq symbol PEP; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares o/s: 1.4 billion; Market cap: $169.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.7; Divd. yield: 2.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.pepsico.com) is the world’s second-largest softdrink maker after Coca-Cola. In addition to Pepsi, its other brands include Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Tropicana and Quaker Oats. On December 20, 2017, the company transferred the trading of its shares to Nasdaq from the New York Stock Exchange—its symbol is still “PEP.” The move should lower its annual administrative fees. The stock has gained 17% in the past year. It now trades at 21.4 times the $5.66 Pepsico will likely earn in 2018. That’s a somewhat high multiple, considering the growing number of consumers now cutting back on sugary drinks and snack foods. Moreover, new taxes in some U.S. cities on soft drinks could further hurt sales. PepsiCo is a hold. hold…