PepsiCo under scrutiny as potential activist target following 13F filings

PepsiCo may be a target of activist investors following recent 13F filings. Nomura, a Japanese brokerage, acquired over 4 million shares in Q2, making it a noteworthy investor. This, combined with other filings, could indicate activist interest in the company.

Activist investors may be targeting PepsiCo following recent 13F filings. Nomura, a Japanese brokerage, acquired over 4 million shares in the second quarter, making it a noteworthy investor. This acquisition, along with other filings, could indicate growing activist interest in the company.

Nomura Holdings Inc. ADR (NYSE:NMR) increased its holdings in PepsiCo Inc. by 11.7% during the first quarter, now owning over 10.4 million shares worth approximately $64 million [1]. This significant investment comes after Nomura's recent acquisition of an additional 1.094 million shares, making the stock its 28th biggest position. The brokerage now owns 1.6% of PepsiCo's shares, making it a notable player in the company's shareholder base.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings in PepsiCo. Adero Partners LLC, for instance, increased its holdings by 18.2% in the first quarter, owning 12,006 shares valued at $74,000 after buying an additional 1,848 shares [1]. These increases suggest a potential trend of increased activism towards PepsiCo.

While Nomura has a "hold" rating for PepsiCo, other top-rated analysts believe there are better buy opportunities available [1]. This discrepancy could indicate varying views on the company's future prospects and potential activist interest.

PepsiCo's recent earnings results show a mixed performance. The company reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.25 by ($0.01). However, revenue was $3.53 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $3.04 billion [1]. The company's net margin was 8.06%, and its return on equity was 10.58%, indicating a strong operational performance despite the earnings miss.

As PepsiCo faces potential activist pressure, investors should closely monitor the company's financial performance and any strategic moves that could impact its stock price. The increasing institutional interest and varying analyst ratings highlight the potential for significant changes in PepsiCo's corporate governance and strategy.

References:
[1] https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/filing-nomura-holdings-inc-adr-nysenmr-shares-acquired-by-donald-smith-co-inc-2025-08-10/