New York, Jan 23, 2026, 15:24 EST — Regular session
- PepsiCo shares fell about 0.2% by mid-afternoon, lagging the broader consumer staples sector
- Coca-Cola and Mondelez each rose about 1%, nudging the top sector fund up a bit
- Next week’s Fed decision and PepsiCo’s Feb. 3 earnings are now the main events investors are watching closely
PepsiCo (PEP.O) shares edged down 0.2% to $144.05 on Friday, underperforming the broader consumer staples sector, which saw gains. The snack-and-soda giant is falling behind some of its bigger rivals.
The market stumbled on uncertain footing. Intel’s forecast shook investor nerves, leaving U.S. stocks without a clear trend. According to a Piper Sandler strategist, confidence is growing to diversify bets beyond just artificial intelligence.
PepsiCo holders are on alert since defensives usually hold steady during market jitters. But when a big staples stock lags behind on a day the sector gains, traders question whether it’s just reshuffling or if something specific is brewing for next week.
PepsiCo stumbled into Friday after shedding 1.6% the day before, finishing at $144.40. The stock underperformed its rivals and still sits about 10% below its 52-week high, MarketWatch data shows.
On the macro side, pricing remains tricky. An S&P Global survey found U.S. business activity was steady in January, yet price pressures lingered at high levels. Chris Williamson, the chief business economist, pointed to “increased costs, widely blamed on tariffs,” as the main driver pushing prices higher. Reuters
Data out Thursday showed consumer spending rose 0.5% in November, the same gain as October. Still, economists warned that widespread tariffs are driving prices higher, widening the gap between richer and poorer households.
Packaged food and beverage firms often face pressure when steady spending meets persistent costs. Investors want to know if these brands can keep hiking prices without losing sales volume, and how much promotional activity will return to store shelves.
PepsiCo said it will report its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings on Feb. 3, issuing a press release and 10-K filing at 6:00 a.m. EST. CEO Ramon Laguarta and CFO Steve Schmitt are set to deliver prepared remarks and hold a live analyst Q&A at 8:15 a.m. The company also confirmed it will take the stage at the CAGNY conference on Feb. 18.
The risk for bulls is obvious: if consumers keep trading down and costs stay elevated, PepsiCo may need to ramp up promotions, putting pressure on margins fast. A strong volume beat would calm nerves, but a miss could spark fresh doubts about the company’s pricing power.
Markets are bracing for the Federal Reserve’s rate decision set for Jan. 28, with the statement scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET and a press conference to follow. After that, focus will quickly turn to PepsiCo’s earnings release on Feb. 3.
