PepsiCo

PepsiCo is raising prices on some of its best-selling snack brands, a move likely to hit consumers already dealing with higher grocery bills. The company, which makes Lay's, Doritos and Cheetos, has previously cited rising costs for ingredients, labor and transportation to justify price increases. Shoppers and commentators are debating whether further snack price hikes will push customers toward cheaper store brands.

PepsiCo shares have fallen roughly 10% in 2026 while the broader S&P 500 has climbed about 13%, a wide performance gap drawing commentary from market analysts. Commentators are debating the reasons, with one Motley Fool writer suggesting a single dominant explanation for the underperformance. Investors are watching whether the snack and beverage giant's weak momentum reflects company-specific problems or a broader shift away from defensive consumer staples stocks.