Leaner beverage makers go global

Article Excerpt

These three beverage makers face rising ingredient costs. However, all three have restructured their operations, and the resulting savings have put them in a better position to face these challenges. As well, their strong brands will help them pass higher costs on to their customers. Moreover, all three are expanding in fast-growing overseas markets. PEPSICO INC. $69 (New York symbol PEP; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 1.6 billion; Market cap: $110.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.8; Dividend yield: 3.0%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.pepsico.com) is the world’s second-largest soft-drink maker, after Coca-Cola. It also makes other products, such as Frito-Lay snack foods, Tropicana fruit juices and Quaker Oats. Last year, PepsiCo bought its two main bottling firms, Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. and PepsiAmericas Inc., for $7.8 billion in cash and shares. Starting in 2012, the company should save $550 million a year by merging plants and administrative functions. PepsiCo is also expanding into healthier foods. For example, it recently paid $5.4 billion…