Why This High-Yield Dividend King Has Plunged 25% and Why You Should Buy It Now

Group 1: Market Overview - Market uncertainty is high due to economic and geopolitical issues, with the S&P 500 index falling around 8% since the start of the year, having previously dropped by approximately 15% [1] - Consumer staples stocks have generally risen a couple of percentage points on average, but specific companies like PepsiCo have seen declines [1][2] Group 2: PepsiCo's Performance - PepsiCo's stock is down 7% this year and over 25% from its peak in 2023, facing challenges such as slowed revenue growth and investor perception issues [4][5] - The company is experiencing a slowdown in its salty snack business and is affected by a societal shift towards healthier eating habits [5] Group 3: Future Outlook - PepsiCo's guidance for 2025 includes low-single-digit organic sales growth and mid-single-digit core earnings-per-share growth, along with a 5% increase in dividends, marking the 53rd increase for the company [7] - The stock's dividend yield has risen to around 3.8%, indicating that it may be undervalued compared to historical levels, even higher than during the Great Recession [8][10] Group 4: Valuation Metrics - Traditional valuation metrics show that PepsiCo's price-to-sales, price-to-earnings, and price-to-book value ratios are all below their five-year averages, suggesting the stock is currently cheap [10] - The company is actively using acquisitions to reshape its portfolio, laying the groundwork for a potential rebound despite current challenges [11]