PepsiCo cuts 2026 profit guidance. PepsiCo stock falls 1.91 percent

Published on 10/16/2026 at 10:08 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Third-quarter revenue rose 5.60 percent to USD 25.27 billion on October 8, 2026. PepsiCo stock costs EUR 114.61, 1.91 percent below its Xetra close.

Quarterly growth meets lower outlook

On October 8, 2026, PepsiCo lowered fiscal 2026 core EPS growth guidance to 2.50 to 3.50 percent.
Fiscal third-quarter revenue reached USD 25.27 billion, up 5.60 percent year over year.
PepsiCo stock trades at EUR 114.61 at 10:02 a.m. CEST at Lang & Schwarz on October 16, 2026, 1.91 percent below the Xetra close of October 15, 2026.
PepsiCo had a USD 174.9 billion market capitalization as of October 15, 2026.

Extremes Makrofoto von Kohlensäureblasen in einem dunklen generischen Getränk im Glas, goldenes Bernsteinlicht bricht sich in der Flüssigkeit, extreme Tiefenunschärfe — PepsiCo US7134481081 in extremer Makroaufnahme von Kohlensäureblasen in bernsteinfarbenem generischem Getränk ohne Logo, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

PepsiCo (ISIN US7134481081) was trading at EUR 114.61 at Lang & Schwarz on October 16, 2026 at 10:02 a.m. CEST, down 1.91 percent from the Xetra close of October 15, 2026 at EUR 116.84. The latest company report showed stronger sales but a lower profit outlook.

On October 8, 2026, PepsiCo reported fiscal third-quarter net revenue of USD 25.27 billion, an increase of 5.60 percent from the prior-year quarter. Reported operating profit rose 19.00 percent to USD 4.26 billion, while diluted earnings per share increased 17.00 percent to USD 2.23.

Guidance falls as sales grow

The company reduced fiscal 2026 core earnings-per-share growth guidance to 2.50 to 3.50 percent from the low end of a previous 5.00 to 7.00 percent range. At the same time, PepsiCo raised its full-year net revenue growth outlook to 6.00 percent from a prior range of 4.00 to 6.00 percent, according to the October 8 release.

CNBC reported on October 8, 2026, that adjusted earnings per share reached USD 2.34 versus USD 2.29 expected, while revenue came in at USD 25.27 billion versus USD 24.96 billion expected. The figures point to a split result: demand and sales held up, but margin pressure weakened the profit outlook.

What does international growth mean?

International operations were the clearest operating support in the fiscal third quarter. Organic revenue rose 8.00 percent internationally, while the company's total organic revenue increased 3.10 percent. North American beverage volume fell 2.00 percent, showing why the guidance reduction is concentrated in earnings rather than sales.

Goldman Sachs analyst Bonnie Herzog lowered her PepsiCo price target to USD 165.00 from USD 180.00 on October 11, 2026, an 8.33 percent reduction, while maintaining a Buy rating, as Yahoo Finance reported. The lower target adds a valuation counterweight to the improved international sales trend.

The stock trades below Xetra close

For investors, the central issue is whether cost reductions and North American recovery can protect profit growth while international markets expand. PepsiCo's fiscal third-quarter core operating profit increased 3.00 percent, but core operating margin contracted 35 basis points to 16.90 percent.

PepsiCo stock had a USD 174.9 billion market capitalization as of October 15, 2026. Its primary listing is on Nasdaq under ticker PEP, and the stock's 52-week range was USD 123.47 to USD 171.48 on that date.

PepsiCo was trading at EUR 114.61 at Lang & Schwarz on October 16, 2026 at 10:02 a.m. CEST, 1.91 percent below the Xetra close of October 15, 2026 at EUR 116.84. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of PepsiCo stock.