Andy Obermueller
Government-Driven Investing
Keith Fitz-Gerald
New China Trader
Marvin Appel
Systems & Forecasts
Jim Powell
Global Changes & Opportunities Report

PepsiCo (PEP): 'Exceptional fundamentals'


Bookmark and Share

 "What's not to like about Pepsi (NYSE: PEP) these days?" asks John Reese, who has chosen the stock as his top conservative idea for 2008.

His Validea newsletter explains,  "Pepsi's exceptional fundamentals garner approval from the 'Guru Strategy' computer models based on the approaches of two legendary investors -- Warren Buffett and Peter Lynch."

"The beverage and snack giant owns several star American brands (including its famed cola, Doritos, Tropicana, Gatorade, and Quaker Oats.

Advertisement
Banner

"It also has a foothold in a bunch of emerging markets with booming economies, and its environmentally-conscious streak earned it the No. 1 ranking on the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 corporate 'Green Partners' list.

"While Buffett has long been a fan of Coke's stock, it's Pepsi that appears to be more, well, 'Buffett-like' these days.

"The company has increased its earnings in eight of the past ten years, growing earnings per share from $0.95 to $3.34 in that time -- just the kind of steady, predictable growth my Buffett-based model likes.

"In addition, Pepsi's average return on equity over the past decade is an exceptional 29%, almost twice my Buffett model's 15% standard.

"That's a sign that management is doing a good job with shareholders' money, and that the company has established what the Oracle of Omaha refers to as a 'durable competitive advantage' over its peers.

"My Lynch-based model also thinks the time is right to buy Pepsi. Lynch famously used the P/E-to-Growth ratio to find growth stocks selling on the cheap, and, at 0.99, Pepsi's P/E/G falls into the range that gets approval from my Lynch-based model.

"Plus, Pepsi has a debt/equity ratio of just 18%, showing the kind of conservative financing that Lynch valued.

"Moreover, if you're still jittery over the U.S. economy, consider this: My Lynch-based model views Pepsi as a 'stalwart', the kind of high sales/moderate growth stock that Lynch found offered protection in tough times.

"Indeed, with its incredible name recognition, increasing presence in expanding foreign markets like India and South America, and stellar fundamentals, a few shares of Pepsi should hit the spot in 2008 -- even if the economy lags."




News Flash

Geron (GERN)
Steve Christ, The Wealth Advisory

In a recent 15-page ruling, a U.S. judge ruled that using taxpayer dollars to fund embryonic stem cell research violates a 1996 law; but in the case of Geron Corp. (GERN), the company won’t be affected at all.


Read more...

 

Industrial trio: BWA, TEN, DXPE
Stephen Quickel, US Investment Report

Among our new stock are three industrials that expected to grow earnings by 30% a year: Borg Warner (BWA), Tenneco (TEN) and DXP Enterprises (DXPE).


Read more...


Banner
Banner
   

Bullion Monarch Mining (BULM)
Max Bowser, The Bowser Report

Bullion Monarch Mining (BULM) -- a holding in our "penny stock" portfolio -- recorded its best revenue year ever.


Read more...

 

Global X Lithium ETF (LIT)
Jim Trippon, ETF Profit Report

It’s rare that we would recommend an ETF that is as new as Global X Lithium (LIT), but with the market taking a tumble, we believe we’re getting good value on this newly-minted vehicle.


Read more...

 

Consumer Staples (XLP)
by Doug Fabian, Making Money Alert

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) is an ETF that tracks companies that have products that people need in both good and bad economic times.


Read more...

 

WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (DES)
by Walter Frank, MoneyLetter

WisdomTree SmallCap Dividend (DES), which sports an attractive 4.3% yield, has been added to our fund coverage.


Read more...

 

Closed-end income favorites
by Harry Domash, Dividend Detective

The latest new positions in our closed-end fund portfolio are Guggenheim Emerging Opportunity (GOF) and First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity (FEO).


Read more...

 

Quality trio: XOM, GOOG, JNJ
by Adam Sharp, contributing editor Wealth Daily

Buying defensive blue chips makes sense. Three of my favorites are ExxonMobil (XOM), Johnson and Johnson (JNJ) and Google (GOOG).


Read more...

 

Xcel Energy (XEL)
by Roger Conrad, The Utility Forecaster

In late 2002 Xcel Energy (XEL) was on the brink of Chapter 11; it has since come back, recently earning a credit upgrade from S&P to A- with an "excellent" risk profile.


Read more...

 

Virginia Mines (VGQ)
by Adrian Day, The Global Analyst

Virginia Mines (VGQ) remains one of a handful of my favorite companies; the company continues ongoing rationalization of its extensive mining property portfolio.


Read more...