Companies and Brands

Pepsi Boosts Guidance on Pricing Strength

handtocan
courtesy of PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. (NYSE: PEP) reported second-quarter 2014 results before markets opened Thursday. The food and beverage company posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.32 on revenues of $16.89 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported EPS of $1.31 on revenues of $16.81 billion. Second-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $1.23 and $16.81 billion in revenues.

On a constant currency basis, adjusted operating income rose 6% on revenue growth of 3.6%. On a GAAP basis, revenues rose 0.5% and operating profit rose 1%. Higher net pricing boosted earnings in the company’s America’s food and beverage divisions and a 10% jump in operating profit in Europe and a 9% rise in Latin America.

Pepsi raised its outlook for adjusted annual EPS from a year-over-year increase of 7% to a new level of 8%. That translates to EPS of around $4.72, sharply higher than the current analysts’ estimate of $4.54. Currency translation effects are expected to have a negative impact of around 4% on 2014 EPS growth.

The company continues to expect organic revenue growth in the mid-single digits and productivity savings of $1 billion. Pepsi expects commodity price inflation in the low single-digit range for 2014.

The company’s CEO said:

Despite operating in what continues to be a challenging and volatile macro environment, we are delivering consistent, strong results. … Based on the strength of our year-to-date results and our outlook for the remainder of the year, we’re increasing our full-year, core constant currency EPS growth target to eight percent.

Pepsi expects to return a total of $8.7 billion to shareholders in 2014 through a combination of $3.7 billion in dividends and $5 billion in share buybacks.

PepsiCo shares were up about 2% in premarket trading, at $91.00 in a 52-week range of $77.01 to $91.39. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of around $94.800 before this report.

ALSO READ: States That Drink the Most Beer

The Average American Is Losing Their Savings Every Day (Sponsor)

If you’re like many Americans and keep your money ‘safe’ in a checking or savings account, think again. The average yield on a savings account is a paltry .4% today, and inflation is much higher. Checking accounts are even worse.

Every day you don’t move to a high-yield savings account that beats inflation, you lose more and more value.

But there is good news. To win qualified customers, some accounts are paying 9-10x this national average. That’s an incredible way to keep your money safe, and get paid at the same time. Our top pick for high yield savings accounts includes other one time cash bonuses, and is FDIC insured.

Click here to see how much more you could be earning on your savings today. It takes just a few minutes and your money could be working for you.

 

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.