New York, January 31, 2026, 15:56 ET — The market is now closed
- PepsiCo shares surged on Friday, standing out as U.S. stocks mostly dipped.
- Strategists noted a shift late in the week toward defensive sectors like consumer staples.
- All eyes shift to next week’s quarterly earnings and the company’s forecast for 2026.
PepsiCo shares jumped 3.3% on Friday, closing at $153.63 and bucking the broader market’s downward trend. Trading volume surged to roughly 12.6 million shares, well above the 50-day average of about 7.9 million. The stock finished the day roughly 4% shy of its 52-week peak. (MarketWatch)
The late-week rally in defensive stocks came as investors trimmed risk exposure across other sectors. In their weekly outlook, Charles Schwab strategists Nathan Peterson and Jim Ferraioli noted a clear “risk off” mood, highlighting consumer staples as one of the scarce segments showing resilience. (Schwab Brokerage)
PepsiCo faces a critical moment as it enters the new week, with its quarterly results due in just a few days. The upcoming report will give the company a chance to revise forecasts on pricing, volumes, and cash returns.
Other stocks followed suit. Coca-Cola climbed 1.9% to hit a record closing high, and Mondelez International rose roughly 2%, despite the broader market slipping. (MarketWatch)
Investors will be watching closely for the usual signals: whether snack and beverage volumes stay steady as prices outpace last year’s hikes, and the extent of promotional activity reflected in the results. Margins that falter often trigger swift moves in staples, where growth margins rarely leave much room for error.
The macro environment remains active, with potential impacts on valuations in dividend-focused sectors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the January jobs report on Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m. ET. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The defensive trade works both ways. If risk appetite rebounds sharply, or if PepsiCo’s earnings fall short on demand or guidance, the stock’s recent safe-haven appeal might not prevent a selloff.
PepsiCo plans to report its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on Tuesday, Feb. 3. The company will issue a press release and file its 10-K around 6:00 a.m. ET, followed by a live Q&A at 8:15 a.m. ET with CEO Ramon Laguarta and CFO Steve Schmitt. In its previous update, PepsiCo set preliminary 2026 targets, aiming for organic revenue growth between 2% and 4%, excluding currency fluctuations and acquisitions, alongside core constant-currency EPS growth of 4% to 6%, excluding certain items and currency impacts. The company also said it would provide more details on total cash returns to shareholders at that time. (Sec)
