Pepsico beats analyst predictions for first quarter after strong low-sugar drink sales
Pepsico beat analysts' estimates on first-quarter sales and profit, boosted by higher demands for its low-sugar drinks, sparkling water and snacks.
The company announced 2.15 per cent sales growth in its North American beverages division with sales in its Frito-Lay snacks unit growing 5.5 per cent.
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Organic sales, which strip out the impact of currency fluctuations and acquisitions, rose 5.2 per cent, its highest quarterly growth for more than three years, the company said.
Chief executive Ramon Laguarta, who took the job less than six months ago, said: "We are equally pleased with the progress we are making on our ambitious agenda to invest to build capabilities, strengthen our brands, and add capacity to grow."
Pepsi reiterated its 2019 organic revenue growth of four per cent and said it continued to expect a fall in core constant currency earnings of about one per cent.
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Net profit rose 5.2 percent to $1.41bn (£1.08bn). Excluding one-off items, the company earned 97 cents per share.
Net revenue rose 2.6 per cent to $12.88bn. Analysts were expecting profit of 92 cents per share and revenue of $12.7bn, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.