Key Highlights

● PepsiCo closed at $131.49 on October 16, trading below the analyst target.

● The consensus 12-month price target is $141.59, implying about 7.7% upside.

● Analysts are split 6 Buy, 17 Hold, and 1 Sell on the stock.

● Targets range from $106 to $169 across 24 analysts.

PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) closed at $131.49 on October 16, 2026, according to market data. The stock is a constituent of the Nasdaq-100 and trades on the Nasdaq. The consensus analyst price target is $141.59, which is 7.7% above the latest close, implying 7.7% upside. The shares are drawing attention this week because of fresh analyst activity and upcoming earnings: the next results are expected on No confirmed date was verified; the company reported Q3 results on October 8, 2026, so the next report is not yet confirmed.

What Is the Latest Analyst Price Target?

The mean consensus target is $141.59 across 24 analysts, with a median of $140.50. Individual forecasts range from a low of $106.00 to a high of $169.00. Measured against the 16 October close of $131.49, the consensus target suggests 7.7% upside. These figures are forecasts, not guarantees, and different data providers can show slightly different consensus numbers because of timing and methodology.

What Are Analysts Saying?

The overall consensus rating is Hold, with the ratings split as 6 Buy (4 Strong Buy, 2 Buy), 17 Hold, 1 Sell (Strong Sell). Recent broker actions include the following. Bank of America Securities (16 Oct) maintained Hold at $145; Bernstein (14 Oct) maintained Hold at $131; Barclays (12 Oct) maintained Hold and lowered its target to $126 from $133; Freedom Capital Markets (10 Oct) upgraded to Buy with a $147 target, down from $162; and J.P. Morgan (9 Oct) maintained Hold at $137, from $138.

The KFC beverage-partner switch and the reduced profit guidance were both reported in October 2026, and several brokers have lowered targets.

What Could Help the Stock Reach the Price Target?

If the consensus proves accurate, the shares would need to close the gap to $141.59. Several factors could support that outcome. Company developments are one: PepsiCo reported third-quarter results on October 8, 2026; press coverage noted that the shares rallied despite a cut to profit guidance. More recently, Reuters and others reported that KFC has switched to Coca-Cola as its beverage partner, putting PepsiCo's food-service relationships in focus.

Beyond this, results that meet or exceed expectations, firm guidance and stable sector conditions would typically support analyst estimates and could encourage further target upgrades. Equally, a broadly supportive market backdrop can narrow the gap between price and targets. None of these outcomes is assured.

What Could Prevent the Stock Reaching the Target?

Analyst targets are opinions about a twelve-month horizon and are frequently revised. Earnings that fall short of expectations, weaker guidance, changes in interest rates, regulatory or policy shifts and wider market volatility could all cause the shares to underperform the consensus. The spread between the lowest target ($106.00) and highest target ($169.00) shows that professional forecasters do not agree on fair value. Investors should also note that consensus figures can lag recent events, so the numbers cited here may already have been overtaken by newer broker notes.

What Should Investors Watch Next?

The key event is the next earnings report, expected on No confirmed date was verified; the company reported Q3 results on October 8, 2026, so the next report is not yet confirmed. Investors may wish to watch management commentary and guidance, any changes to broker ratings and targets following the results, and the direction of the consensus mean and median in the weeks ahead. Any further company announcements, such as acquisitions, dividends or leadership changes, may also influence sentiment.

A Narrow Case for Upside

On the verified figures, PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) closed at $131.49 on October 16, 2026, while the analyst consensus target of $141.59 suggests 7.7% upside, with a Hold consensus rating across 24 analysts.