PepsiCo cuts 2026 profit outlook and announces deeper cost‑cutting

PepsiCo announced on Oct. 8 that it lowered its fiscal‑2026 adjusted earnings‑per‑share growth target to 1%‑2% from the prior 4%‑6% range and trimmed its organic revenue growth outlook to about 3%. The company said third‑quarter reported net revenue rose 5.6% to $25.27 billion, while organic revenue grew 3.1%. A 35‑basis‑point decline in core operating margin and weaker North‑American volumes prompted the firm to launch an additional round of structural cost reductions.

The reduced EPS guidance signals lower profitability for investors and may pressure the share price. The announced cost‑cutting program aims to protect margins, which could mitigate the earnings impact in the coming quarters.

  • 1Adjusted EPS growth forecast for fiscal 2026 was cut to 1%‑2% (adjusted basis), down from the previous 4%‑6% range.
  • 2Organic revenue growth outlook for fiscal 2026 was revised to around 3% (organic basis).
  • 3Third‑quarter reported net revenue increased 5.6% to $25.27 billion.
  • 4Third‑quarter organic revenue increased 3.1% (organic basis).
  • 5Core operating margin fell 35 basis points in the third quarter (reported basis).
  • 6North‑American food volumes were virtually stagnant and beverage volumes declined 2% (reported basis).

Sources