PepsiCo increased its revenue outlook as earnings beat estimates despite higher costs

April 27, 2022: -On Tuesday, PepsiCo reported quarterly earnings and revenue that topped analyst expectations, as consumers were paying more for their Doritos, Quaker oatmeal, and Gatorade.

Based on its performance, the company has raised its full-year forecast for organic revenue growth.

Pepsi reported first-quarter net income attributable to $4.26 billion, or $3.06 per share, up from $1.71 billion, or $1.24 per share, a year earlier.

Pepsi also reported a $193 million impairment charge after taxes as it wanted to discontinue or reposition a few of its juice and dairy brands in Russia. The charge is dragging down its earnings by 14 cents for each share. An extra impairment charge of $241 million after taxes related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict weighed on its revenues by 17 cents for each share.

Pepsi generates almost 4% of its annual revenue in Russia, making it one of the few markets with a bigger presence than Coke. In March, Pepsi joined a host of different Western countries in suspending some of its Russian business but decreased short of stopping sales entirely like rival Coca-Cola. Pepsi said it would keep selling some essential products, like baby formula, milk, and baby food.

Without the sale of its juice business, the Russian impairment charge, and other items, the company has made $1.29 per share, topping the $1.23 per share expected by analysts surveyed by Refinitiv.

Net sales surged 9.3% to $16.2 billion, beating expectations of $15.56 billion. Organic revenue increased 13.7% in the quarter, mainly fueled by higher prices.

The North American beverage business reported volume growth of 3%. This quarter marked the launch of Pepsi’s foray into alcohol with Hard Mtn Dew, made in partnership with Boston Beer.

Frito-Lay North America saw a volume increase of just 1% in the quarter, although the segment’s organic revenue climbed 14%. Doritos, Lay’s, Ruffles, and Cheetos saw double-digit revenue growth.

Quaker Foods was the only North American business unit to report shrinking volume during the quarter. The segment is struggling to hold onto the consumers it gained in the early days of the pandemic when more people were eating breakfast at home.

Pepsi is expecting organic revenue growth of 8% for the entire year, up from its prior forecast of 6%. The company reiterated its forecast for full-year core earnings for each share growth of 8%.