NEW YORK, Jan 13, 2026, 21:38 EST — The market has closed.
- PepsiCo shares ended Tuesday 1.5% higher at $143.48, beating the broader U.S. market’s decline.
- A WHO report has once again put sugary drink taxes in the spotlight, a persistent policy threat for soda manufacturers.
- PepsiCo’s Feb. 3 earnings report and outlook update will be the next major catalyst for investors.
Shares of PepsiCo (PEP.O) climbed 1.5% to close at $143.48 on Tuesday, bucking the broader U.S. stock market’s decline. With markets closed now, investors will watch Wednesday to see if the gain sticks.
The Dow dropped 0.8%, and the S&P 500 edged down 0.2% as financial stocks took a hit following JPMorgan executives’ caution that President Donald Trump’s plan to cap credit-card interest rates might harm consumers. Meanwhile, December’s CPI rose 2.7% year-on-year, matching forecasts. 1
Policy risk has resurfaced for soft drinks and packaged snacks off the tape. The World Health Organization reported that sugar-sweetened beverages grew more affordable in 62 countries from 2022 to 2024, sparking fresh demands for steeper taxes to raise prices and curb consumption. 2
PepsiCo is pushing tools it claims will cut time and costs across its network. On Monday, the company revealed plans to deploy “digital twin” models—virtual replicas of warehouses and plants—alongside AI to trial layouts before any physical construction. They’re partnering with Siemens and Nvidia for this effort. “We are embedding AI throughout our operations,” said CEO Ramon Laguarta. 3
But the landscape can change quicker than supply chains can adapt. Harsher soda taxes or stricter U.S. nutrition regulations might squeeze volumes just as consumers continue trading down and retailers ramp up pricing pressure on suppliers.
A filing on Dec. 8 revealed PepsiCo plans to shut down three manufacturing plants and slash nearly 20% of its U.S. SKUs as part of broader cost-cutting moves. The company forecasts organic revenue growth of 2% to 4% in 2026—excluding currency and deal impacts—and expects core EPS to rise about 5% to 7%, its adjusted profit-per-share measure. Marc Steinberg, an Elliott partner, said the strategy should “drive greater revenue and profit growth.” PepsiCo will release its Q4 and full-year results on Feb. 3, with a live analyst Q&A at 8:15 a.m. EST. CEO Laguarta and CFO Steve Schmitt will speak at the CAGNY conference on Feb. 18. 4
