New York, Feb 17, 2026, 15:21 (EST) — Regular session
PepsiCo shares gave up 2.8%, closing at $161.28 on Tuesday, a drop of $4.66 from where they finished last time. The stock started the day at $166.20, climbed to $167.45 before turning lower, and bottomed at $160.82.
Consumer staples trailed, even as the broader market pushed upward with renewed flows into tech and banks. The pressure is on defensive players like PepsiCo to prove they can maintain volumes, not just hike prices. “You just see spikes up and spikes down,” said Tim Ghriskey, senior portfolio strategist at Ingalls & Snyder. (Reuters)
Packaged food stocks took another hit after General Mills slashed its annual sales and profit outlook, blaming fading demand and pushback on price hikes. “Cost of living and housing pressures are reshaping spending patterns, and value is a core expectation that is here to stay,” CEO Jeffrey Harmening told the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference. Morningstar’s Kristoffer Inton noted that promotions are eating up a larger slice of purchases. (Reuters)
The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF dropped around 1.7%. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF edged up. General Mills tumbled 7.6%, shares of Mondelez slid 4.7%. Coca-Cola managed a gain of roughly 0.8%.
PepsiCo on Tuesday announced that Pepsi Prebiotic Cola has hit shelves across the U.S., both in stores and online. The drink, offered in Original Cola and Cherry Vanilla flavors, contains 3 grams of prebiotic fiber and skips artificial sweeteners. Each can clocks in at 30 calories and 5 grams of sugar, according to the company. (PepsiCo)
PepsiCo is dropping U.S. prices on Lay’s and Doritos by as much as 15%, following consumer resistance to earlier increases. “We’ve spent the past year listening closely to consumers, and they’ve told us they’re feeling the strain,” said Rachel Ferdinando, CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S. The company kept its target for core earnings-per-share growth at 5% to 7%, which leaves out certain items. (Reuters)
The company put out word of a $1.4225 per share quarterly dividend, set for payout on March 31 to holders on record as of March 6. PepsiCo also flagged its earlier announcement: a 4% bump to the annualized dividend, scheduled to kick in with the June 2026 distribution. (PepsiCo)
But there’s a catch: discounts could start hitting snacks and drinks more broadly, slicing into margins if shoppers stay focused on lower-priced options. Reuters has noted that a surge in GLP‑1 weight-loss drugs—appetite suppressants—is nudging major food companies toward ramping up smaller sizes and protein-forward products. (Reuters)
PepsiCo heads to the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference this Wednesday, aiming to shift the conversation. The company’s scheduled webcast is set for Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. ET. CAGNY runs from Feb. 16–20 in Orlando, Florida, and investors are set to scrutinize any updates on U.S. volumes, pricing structure and 2026 outlook. (PepsiCo)
