PepsiCo caters to changing tastes

Article Excerpt

PEPSICO INC. $94 (New York symbol PEP; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 1.5 billion; Market cap: $141.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.2; Dividend yield: 2.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.pepsico.com) has launched Pepsi True, a new cola that has 30% less sugar than regular Pepsi. This new drink uses stevia, an all-natural sweetener without the calories or health drawbacks of sugar. Pepsi True will also contain no artificial sweeteners or high-fructose corn syrup. The launch follows a nine-year decline in U.S. soft drink sales as a result of increased health concerns spurred by research linking these drinks to obesity and other conditions. The company will initially launch this new drink on Amazon.com. If successful, it will start selling it in grocery stores. PepsiCo is a hold. hold…