ONE LEVEL DEEPER
PEP
Warren Buffett frameworkThe Owner-OperatorBenjamin Graham frameworkThe Value ArchitectMichael Mauboussin frameworkThe Expectations EngineerHoward Marks frameworkThe Cycle WhispererPeter Lynch frameworkThe Everyday Edge

Trading at 8th percentile valuation despite beating earnings 82% of quarters - Graham would recognize this margin of safety.

cautiousBullishconviction

At the 8th percentile of its decade valuation range, this dividend aristocrat offers rare margin of safety for a business that beats earnings 82% of the time.

THE LENSES
THE MARGIN OF SAFETYprotective

Does the price protect me from permanent loss of capital?

Trading at $155.29, 37.6% below DCF fair value of $249
EV/EBITDA at 8th percentile of 10-year range at 50.42x
Market implies 1.51% perpetual growth vs 2.3% trailing delivery
P/E of 19.35 represents 20th percentile of 10-year range

This framework sees exceptional margin of safety - the market prices PepsiCo for near-stagnation despite consistent execution. A 37.6% discount to intrinsic value provides substantial downside protection for a business of this quality.

EV / EBITDA
THE EARNINGS RECORDexceptional

Has management demonstrated consistent earnings over 7-10 years?

31 double beats in 38 quarters tracked (82% rate)
100% positive earnings surprise rate across all quarters
Revenue grew from $14.7B to $29.3B peak in Q4'23
Operating margins stable between 12-16% across quarters

The earnings record approaches perfection - 31 consecutive quarters of beating expectations demonstrates the predictability Graham prized. This is not growth but reliability incarnate.

Earnings Surprises
BALANCE SHEET FORTRESSadequate

Can this business survive a prolonged downturn?

Current ratio of 0.87 in Q4'25, quick ratio of 0.72
Debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36 with interest coverage of 9.70x
Cash conversion cycle negative at -3.1 days
Operating cash flow of $6.6B in Q4'25 alone

While leverage appears elevated at 2.36x debt-to-equity, the 9.70x interest coverage and negative cash conversion cycle reveal a business where suppliers finance operations. The framework sees adequate but not fortress-like protection.

Debt / Equity
MR. MARKETdepressed

Is the market creating opportunity or danger?

Institutional ownership surged to 78.9% from 73.2% in one quarter
Norges Bank initiated $3.0B position in Q4'25
Average price reaction only 2.76% on double beats
Analyst targets range $156-191 with $165 median below $172 consensus

Mr. Market displays remarkable pessimism - institutional accumulation during insider selling suggests sophisticated capital sees value others miss. The muted reaction to consistent beats indicates expectations remain appropriately low.

Price Targets
156
low
191
high
165
median
172.43
consensus
KEY NUMBERS
VERDICT

This framework identifies a rare opportunity: a predictable earnings machine trading at decade-low multiples with substantial margin of safety. The 37.6% discount to fair value more than compensates for the elevated leverage and negative bond spread. When professional investors accumulate while insiders diversify, which signal carries more weight?

This analysis applies Benjamin Graham's published investment framework to publicly available financial data. It is not authored by, endorsed by, or affiliated with Benjamin Graham. Educational purposes only. Not financial advice.

OTHER PERSPECTIVES
Michael Mauboussin framework
The Expectations Engineer
Bullish
Howard Marks framework
The Cycle Whisperer
Bullish
Peter Lynch framework
The Everyday Edge
Leaning Bullish
Warren Buffett framework
The Owner-Operator
Leaning Bullish
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