Nasdaq 100 Movement: PepsiCo Leads with 3.6% Gain, Lam Research Down 4.2%

PepsiCo is the top performer in the Nasdaq 100, up 3.6%, while Lam Research is the worst, down 4.2%. Year to date, PepsiCo has a 1.3% gain, and Lam Research has a 32.8% gain. Other notable movers include Micron Technology, down 3.8%, and Biogen, up 2.1%.

The Nasdaq 100 index has seen a mixed performance among its constituents, with notable movements in key stocks. As of September 2, 2025, PepsiCo (PEP) has emerged as the top performer, up by 3.6% on the day, while Lam Research (LRCX) is the worst performer, down by 4.2%. Year-to-date, PepsiCo has gained 1.3%, while Lam Research has seen a significant increase of 32.8%.

PepsiCo's performance is likely influenced by the recent acquisition of a $4 billion stake by activist investor Elliott Investment Management, who is pushing for changes to boost the company's financial performance and stock price [2]. The activist investor has proposed strategic and operational improvements to re-accelerate growth and enhance accountability, aiming to return PepsiCo to its market-leading position in consumer packaged goods (CPG).

On the other hand, Lam Research has faced a significant decline in its stock price, down 4.2% on September 2, 2025. The company has shown a strong year-to-date performance, gaining 32.8%, but the recent drop suggests a reversal in investor sentiment. The exact reasons for this decline are not specified in the provided materials.

Other notable movers in the Nasdaq 100 include Micron Technology (MU), which is down by 3.8%, and Biogen (BIIB), which has increased by 2.1%. Biogen has shown strong fundamentals and optimistic analyst ratings, despite weak technical indicators and a recent price decline [3]. The company has seen positive inflows from small retail investors but negative trends from institutional investors, indicating a mixed market sentiment.

In summary, the Nasdaq 100 index has seen diverse performance among its constituents, with PepsiCo and Lam Research showcasing contrasting movements. PepsiCo's performance is likely driven by activist investor influence, while Lam Research's decline is more ambiguous. Other notable movers, such as Micron Technology and Biogen, also exhibit mixed performances, highlighting the varied investor sentiments in the market.

References:
[1] https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/filing-ameriprise-financial-inc-increases-stake-in-direxion-nasdaq-100-equal-weighted-index-shares-qqqe-2025-08-28/
[2] https://www.investopedia.com/pepsico-stock-jumps-as-activist-investor-elliott-takes-usd4b-stake-aims-for-change-11801519
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/stock-analysis-biogen-outlook-mixed-signals-weak-technicals-optimistic-analysts-2509/