NEW YORK, March 1, 2026, 15:29 EST — The session wrapped up with the market now closed.
- PepsiCo shares climbed 1.29% to close at $169.74 on Friday, breaking a two-day losing streak.
- Target says it will pull cereals containing certified synthetic colors from its shelves by end-May, stepping up pressure on packaged-food makers over their ingredient labels.
- PepsiCo is set to pay its next dividend on March 31 to shareholders of record as of March 6.
PepsiCo ended Friday trading at $169.74, up 1.29%. That’s a $2.16 gain per share, setting the stock up with some momentum as March U.S. trading kicks off.
PepsiCo is hovering near a recent high as it juggles volume protection in North America and contends with rising scrutiny on ingredients in its flagship snacks and cereals. “Defensive” consumer-staples stocks have been a classic safe spot when markets turn rough, but investors don’t hesitate to react sharply to stumbles.
It’s not only about demand. Retailers have started to raise the bar on ingredient standards, while Washington pressures brands to revisit additives that once slipped by. Reformulating, finding new suppliers—these steps add up, and so do the costs.
PepsiCo shares climbed Friday even as the S&P 500 slid 0.43% and the Dow dropped 1.05%. The stock closed just under 1% shy of its $171.48 high from Feb. 12, with trading volume running above its recent norm. Coca-Cola added 1.32% and Mondelez jumped 2.74%.
Target plans to stop selling cereals containing certified synthetic colors by the end of May, joining others in the push against artificial dyes. “We know consumers are increasingly prioritizing healthier lifestyles, and we’re moving quickly to evolve our offerings,” said Cara Sylvester, Target’s chief merchandising officer. Reuters
Reuters, in a recent factbox, called FD&C colors a type of synthetic dye and noted that firms have started planning to cut certain sweeteners, as momentum builds for the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. The outlet also pointed out that, according to many scientists, more research is still needed to establish links between these additives and health issues. Reuters
PepsiCo flagged the challenge back in early February, announcing price cuts of up to 15% on mainstays like Lay’s and Doritos after shoppers balked at previous hikes. The company has also turned to “portion control” to drive growth, an approach it’s favoring as GLP-1 weight-loss drugs start to influence consumer buying patterns. “We are betting a lot on portion control,” CEO Ramon Laguarta told Reuters at the time. Reuters
Dividends are on the table this week, too. PepsiCo’s board announced a $1.4225 per share quarterly dividend, with a payout set for March 31 to shareholders holding stock as of March 6, according to the company.
March 6 is the ex-dividend date for PepsiCo, according to Fidelity’s dividend schedule. Investors picking up shares that day generally aren’t eligible for the next payout.
The setup isn’t one-way traffic. Price cuts risk tightening margins if volumes stay flat, while stepping up reformulation to match retailer demands piles on costs and complexity—sometimes long before any sales gains materialize.
Traders won’t wait long for fresh data: ISM’s Manufacturing Index lands at 10:00 a.m. ET Monday, followed by the Labor Department’s February jobs report at 8:30 a.m. ET Friday. PepsiCo sits close to its recent peak, and with the March 6 dividend on the calendar, those macro numbers could decide how much money rotates into staples off the bell.
