Whales Take a Bearish Position on PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP)

Recently, affluent investors have adopted a bearish outlook on PepsiCo (PEP). This trend is crucial for retail traders to be aware of.

Our investigation revealed significant trades reflected in the publicly available options history that we monitor.

It remains unclear whether these trades originate from institutional players or wealthy individuals, but the scale of these actions often indicates that informed parties are anticipating notable changes.

So, how do we understand the recent actions of these investors? Today, our options scanner identified nine uncommon options trades for PepsiCo.

This activity is not typical for the company.

The sentiment among these major traders appears to be divided: 22% are bullish while a substantial 66% are bearish.

Within these trades, we found that out of the total, seven are put options amounting to $240,872, while two are call options worth $70,564.

Projected Price Targets

By analyzing the trading volumes and open interest, it is clear that the influential market movers are focusing on a price range between $135.00 and $155.00 for PepsiCo, observed over the past three months.

Insights into Volume & Open Interest

In the current trading landscape, the average open interest for PepsiCo options stands at 1,196.44, with overall volume hitting 3,206.00. The included chart illustrates the fluctuation of call and put option volume and open interest for significant trades in PepsiCo, positioned within the strike price range of $135.00 to $155.00 throughout the last month.

Recent Option Activity Overview

Highlighted Options Activity:

Symbol	PUT/CALL	Trade Type	Sentiment	Expiration Date	Ask	Bid	Price	Strike Price	Total Trade Price	Open Interest	Volume
PEP	PUT	SWEEP	BEARISH	03/28/25	$0.78	$0.73	$0.78	$144.00	$50.1K	172	725
PEP	PUT	TRADE	BEARISH	06/20/25	$5.3	$5.25	$5.3	$145.00	$44.5K	3.3K	173
PEP	CALL	SWEEP	BEARISH	03/28/25	$0.3	$0.23	$0.23	$150.00	$35.3K	916	1.6K
PEP	CALL	SWEEP	BULLISH	09/19/25	$5.25	$5.15	$5.25	$155.00	$35.1K	1.7K	73
PEP	PUT	SWEEP	NEUTRAL	04/04/25	$1.42	$1.31	$1.36	$144.00	$34.2K	61	321

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo is a leading global company in snacks and beverages, known for iconic brands like Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Lay's, Cheetos, and Doritos. The firm is a dominant player in the global savory snacks market and ranks as the second-largest beverage provider worldwide, just behind Coca-Cola. Its portfolio includes a range of products from carbonated soft drinks to waters and energy drinks, with convenience foods contributing about 55% of total revenue.

PepsiCo primarily manages its manufacturing and distribution capabilities both domestically and internationally, with international markets accounting for 40% of its total sales and operating profits in 2024.

Upon thoroughly reviewing PepsiCo's options trading, we assess the company's present market status and performance.

Current Position of PepsiCo

• The current share price of PEP is $145.48, with a decrease of -1.13% based on a volume of 4,611,291.
• Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicators suggest that the stock could be nearing oversold territory.
• Next earnings release is anticipated in 34 days.

Professional Analyst Ratings for PepsiCo

A recent evaluation by three analysts has provided ratings for this stock, culminating in a consensus target price of $164.67.

Unusual Options Activity Detected: Insights from Smart Money

Tracking unusual options activity can help identify potential market movements ahead of time. Here are the positions being taking by major investors regarding your preferred stocks. Click here for more insights. An analyst from Barclays has maintained an Overweight rating on PepsiCo, setting a target price of $168. Meanwhile, Jefferies has downgraded its stance to Hold, adjusting the target to $170. Another analyst from Barclays has rated the company as Equal-Weight with a target price of $156.

Trading options carries significant risks, but it also presents opportunities for greater profits. Experienced traders minimize these risks by pursuing education, implementing strategic adjustments, using various indicators, and keeping abreast of market trends. Follow the latest options trades related to PepsiCo for real-time updates.

investors, PepsiCo, options