New York, Jan 23, 2026, 15:24 EST — Regular session
- PepsiCo shares slipped roughly 0.2% by mid-afternoon, trailing behind the broader consumer staples sector
- Coca-Cola and Mondelez each gained roughly 1%, with the sector’s leading fund ticking up slightly
- Investors are eyeing next week’s Fed decision and PepsiCo’s Feb. 3 earnings as the next key catalysts
PepsiCo (PEP.O) shares slipped 0.2% to $144.05 on Friday, lagging as the broader consumer staples sector climbed, leaving the snack-and-soda giant trailing its larger competitors.
The market wavered amid shaky conditions. After Intel’s forecast rattled sentiment, U.S. stocks showed little direction. A Piper Sandler strategist noted investors now have “more confidence” spreading their bets beyond artificial intelligence. (Reuters)
PepsiCo holders are watching closely because defensives typically hold up when markets wobble. So when a major staples stock trails on a day the sector is up, traders wonder if it’s just positioning or if there’s a particular catalyst looming next week.
PepsiCo entered Friday on the back foot. The stock dropped 1.6% in the previous session, closing at $144.40. It lagged behind its peers and remains roughly 10% shy of its 52-week peak, according to MarketWatch data. (MarketWatch)
On the macro front, pricing remains complicated. A key S&P Global survey showed U.S. business activity held steady in January, but price pressures stayed high. Chief business economist Chris Williamson noted that “increased costs, widely blamed on tariffs,” are pushing prices up. (Reuters)
Data released Thursday revealed consumer spending increased by 0.5% in November, matching October’s rise. However, economists cautioned that broad tariffs are pushing up prices, deepening the divide between higher- and lower-income households. (Reuters)
Steady spending paired with stubborn costs usually puts packaged food and beverage companies under scrutiny. Investors are keen to see if brands can keep raising prices without hurting volume, and how much promotional activity will bounce back on shelves.
PepsiCo announced it will release its Q4 and full-year 2025 results on Feb. 3, with a press release and 10-K filing scheduled for 6:00 a.m. EST. CEO Ramon Laguarta and CFO Steve Schmitt will follow up at 8:15 a.m. with prepared remarks and a live analyst Q&A session. The company also confirmed it will present at the CAGNY conference on Feb. 18. (SEC)
The risk for bulls is clear: if consumers continue trading down and costs remain high, PepsiCo might have to push promotions harder, squeezing margins quickly. A solid beat on volume would ease concerns, but a miss could reignite questions about the company’s pricing power.
Markets are gearing up for the Federal Reserve’s rate decision on Jan. 28, with the statement due at 2:00 p.m. ET followed by a press conference. Attention will then shift swiftly to PepsiCo’s earnings report on Feb. 3. (Federal Reserve)
