New York, Feb 1, 2026, 15:45 EST — The market has closed.
- PepsiCo shares bucked the trend, climbing while the broader U.S. stock market fell on Friday.
- Investors favored defensive consumer staples amid uncertainty over Fed leadership and inflation cues.
- All eyes turn to PepsiCo’s quarterly earnings and its forecast for 2026.
PepsiCo (PEP) shares jumped 3.32%, ending Friday at $153.63. Coca-Cola was up 1.88%, and Mondelez climbed 2.02%. Trading volume for PepsiCo hit roughly 12.6 million shares, according to MarketWatch. (MarketWatch)
U.S. markets are closed over the weekend, so Friday’s gain will probably influence Monday’s open. PepsiCo is set to release its earnings this week, with investors watching closely to see if “everyday” demand remains stable amid rising inflation and changing interest rate expectations.
Stocks ended lower Friday after President Donald Trump tapped former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh to replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Producer prices also came in hotter than expected for December. The S&P 500 dropped 0.43%, the Nasdaq lost 0.94%, while consumer staples gained 1.4%. “Markets are calibrating to Trump’s pick of Kevin Warsh … and the outlook for monetary policy,” said Michael Hans, chief investment officer at Citizens Wealth. Edward Jones strategist Angelo Kourkafas cited a mix of Fed, inflation, and government shutdown concerns. (Reuters)
That context is key for PepsiCo. Staples tend to attract buyers when caution sets in. The logic: folks keep snapping up snacks and soda even as spending on pricier items dips.
Earnings focus narrows. Traders want to see if rising prices are still boosting revenue without deterring shoppers, and whether promotions are cutting into margins.
In North America, volumes will draw sharp attention as demand for food and beverages can shift rapidly with pricing changes and shopper trade-downs. Market moves often hinge on updates about input costs like packaging, transport, and commodities, plus currency impacts on overseas sales.
Defensive trades rarely hold up for long. A dimmer forecast, slipping volumes, or signs that pricing power is slipping could quickly reverse Friday’s gains.
PepsiCo’s next major event is already lined up. A recent filing revealed the company will release its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings on Feb. 3, with a press release and 10-K hitting around 6:00 a.m. EST. CEO Ramon Laguarta and CFO Steve Schmitt will hold a live Q&A at 8:15 a.m. that day. On Feb. 18, management is scheduled to speak at the CAGNY conference. Looking ahead, PepsiCo has put out a preliminary forecast for 2026, expecting organic revenue growth between 2% and 4%, along with core constant-currency EPS growth of 4% to 6%, figures adjusted to exclude currency fluctuations and certain items. (Sec)
