PepsiCo is an inflation winner and a wave of nuclear demand is coming

PepsiCo is an inflation winner and a wave of nuclear demand is coming

Peter Garnry

Chief Investment Strategist

Summary:  PepsiCo delivered yesterday strong earnings indicating that some consumer companies are still thriving despite rising input costs and high inflation for the consumer. Operating margin was only down a bit in Q3 and was more than offset by higher than expected revenue growth to the extent that PepsiCo is lifting its organic revenue growth target for the current fiscal year. Cameco and Brookfield Renewable Partners announced yesterday the acquisition of the nuclear technology company Westinghouse Electric for $7.9bn in a sign that nuclear power is headed into its renaissance after decades of decline.


PepsiCo started Q3 earnings week with strong results

If investors expected margin compression and a downgrade to the outlook then PepsiCo’s Q3 earnings yesterday were not the answer they were looking for. The beverage and snack company increased its organic revenue growth this year to 12% from previously 10% as the company has been successful in raising prices with consumers apparently accepting it without lowering demand. PepsiCo only experienced a modest margin compression with its adjusted EBITDA margin declining to 19.4% from 20% in Q2. The share price is only down 0.5% this year underscoring its anti-inflation characteristics, something that is in high demand by investors.

While PepsiCo’s business seems robust at this point its valuation on EV/EBITDA is still 15% above the average since early 2004 and investors might change their perception on this given that future growth may not be as good as the years 2004-2011 and interest rates are still rising. The period 2012-2019 was one long desert walk of flat operating income and it was not until the pandemic and the subsequent rise in nominal growth that the business suddenly came back into growth mode. The question is whether growth has structurally changed for PepsiCo or it will down again. The soft drink and snack business is still facing headwinds from the trend in personal health.

PepsiCo share price | Source: Saxo

Cameco CEO sees ‘wave’ of nuclear demand

We have just added our nuclear power theme basket to our performance tracking and already yesterday a major news item emerged about the industry. The Canadian uranium miner Cameco and Brookfield Renewable Partners are jointly acquiring Westinghouse Electric which is a player in the nuclear power industry in a deal worth $7.9bn. Westinghouse Electric makes technology that is used in around half of all the 440 nuclear reactors. Cameco is issuing shares worth $650nm to fund its part of the deal.

Cameco’s CEO said in an interview that they are seeing some of the best market fundamentals ever for nuclear energy sector. Given that Westinghouse Electric came out of bankruptcy four years tells everyone how much has changed for the industry. The CEO also says that they are seeing a ‘wave’ of demand coming driven by Europe, highlights specifically Eastern Europe, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a game changer. The IEA (International Energy Agency) has stated that nuclear power generation must double by 2050 in order to meet net zero carbon emission in the global economy. That means 2.5% annualized growth in nuclear power generation. If we factor in the replacement of old nuclear power plants then growth is likely to be 5-6% annualized over the next 28 years.

According to the World Nuclear Association, there are 55 reactors under construction (90 if planned reactors are taking into consideration) with the most of these reactors being built in Asia supplementing the existing 440 nuclear power plants. This year nuclear power plants will produce 10% of the world’s electricity.

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...

Disclaimer

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service and access to Analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website. This content is not intended to and does not change or expand on the execution-only service. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Rules of Engagement and (v) Notices applying to Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Bank Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Bank Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Bank Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Please read our disclaimers:
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
- Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-gb/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

Saxo
40 Bank Street, 26th floor
E14 5DA
London
United Kingdom

Contact Saxo

Select region

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Trade Responsibly
All trading carries risk. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. Read more
Additional Key Information Documents are available in our trading platform.

Saxo is a registered Trading Name of Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd (‘Saxo’). Saxo is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 551422. Registered address: 26th Floor, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DA. Company number 7413871. Registered in England & Wales.

This website, including the information and materials contained in it, are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in the United States, Belgium or any other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

It is important that you understand that with investments, your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you make an informed decision about whether or not to invest with us. If you are still unsure if investing is right for you, please seek independent advice. Saxo assumes no liability for any loss sustained from trading in accordance with a recommendation.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

©   since 1992