PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) Bolsa

PEPSICO INC

PepsiCo

Pepsico, Inc.

NYSE

PepsiCo is a global leader in snacks and beverages, owning well-known household brands including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Lay's, Cheetos, and Doritos, among others. The company dominates the global savory snacks market and also ranks as the second-largest beverage provider in the world (behind Coca-Cola) with diversified exposure to carbonated soft drinks, or CSD, as well as water, sports, and energy drink offerings. Convenience foods account for approximately 55% of its total revenue, with beverages making up the rest. Pepsi owns the bulk of its manufacturing and distribution capacity in the US, but uses bottlers overseas for beverages. International markets made up 40% of both total sales and operating profits in 2024.

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TIME revela las 100 empresas más influyentes de 2025. Conoce las compañías en bolsa que lideran innovación y crecimiento este año.

Las empresas más influyentes de 2025 según TIME: ¿Cuáles están en bolsa?

Salesforce

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Marc Benioff afirma que la IA ya gestiona hasta el 50 % de la carga de trabajo en Salesforce, impulsando eficiencia y reestructuración.

Salesforce automatiza hasta el 50% de su carga de trabajo con IA

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Salesforce impulsa la adopción de trabajo digital con IA en empresas como PepsiCo y Takeda. Ingresos superan previsiones.

Salesforce lidera la revolución laboral digital con agentes de IA y nuevos clientes

PepsiCo Inc

Pepe - United States Dollar

PepGen Inc

PEPPERLIME HEALTH ACQUISITION CORP ORD

PEPPERLIME HEALTH ACQUISITION CORP UNIT

PEPPERLIME HEALTH ACQUISITION CORP WARRANT

Parametric Equity Plus ETF

PEXIP HLDG ASA UNSP/ADR by Pexip Hldg ASA

Pexip Holding ASA

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on PepsiCo.
Looking at options history for PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) we detected 30 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 56% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 26% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 5 are puts, for a total amount of $252,870 and 25, calls, for a total amount of $1,195,576.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $110.0 to $270.0 for PepsiCo during the past quarter. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for PepsiCo's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across PepsiCo's significant trades, within a strike price range of $110.0 to $270.0, over the past month.
<h3>PepsiCo Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1751043642_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>PEP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$7.4</td>
<td>$7.3</td>
<td>$7.3</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$102.2K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td align="right">482</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PEP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>10/17/25</td>
<td>$2.12</td>
<td>$1.99</td>
<td>$1.99</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$93.9K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PEP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$9.2</td>
<td>$9.0</td>
<td>$9.17</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$91.9K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
<td align="right">107</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PEP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$3.85</td>
<td>$3.8</td>
<td>$3.84</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$76.9K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
<td align="right">334</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PEP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$7.3</td>
<td>$7.2</td>
<td>$7.2</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$72.0K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td align="right">100</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About PepsiCo</h3>
PepsiCo is a global leader in snacks and beverages, owning well-known household brands including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Lay's, Cheetos, and Doritos, among others. The company dominates the global savory snacks market and also ranks as the second-largest beverage provider in the world (behind Coca-Cola) with diversified exposure to carbonated soft drinks, or CSD, as well as water, sports, and energy drink offerings. Convenience foods account for approximately 55% of its total revenue, with beverages making up the rest. Pepsi owns the bulk of its manufacturing and distribution capacity in the US, but uses bottlers overseas for beverages. International markets made up 40% of both total sales and operating profits in 2024.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding PepsiCo, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Where Is PepsiCo Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 5,258,407, the price of PEP is up 1.81% at $130.54. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 20 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About PepsiCo</h3>
1 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $148.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from RBC Capital downgraded its action to Sector Perform with a price target of $148. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for PepsiCo, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Options

A Closer Look at PepsiCo's Options Market Dynamics

Time Magazine&#8217;s annual 100 Most Influential Companies list for 2025 includes many companies investors are familiar with, with numerous names originating from the growing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence sector.</a>
The <a href="https://time.com/7297630/time-reveals-the-2025-time100-most-influential-companies-in-the-world/">list</a> seeks to honor the top businesses that are helping "chart an essential path forward."
"No single data point or financial metric makes a TIME100 Company. Instead, we looked at a mosaic of qualities, studying impact, innovation, ambition, and success, each in the forms that take shape today. And as we say for all TIME100 projects: influence comes in many forms, for better and for worse," Time editors said of the list.
 The Public Companies: Similar to the list of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/04/44854679/time-100-most-influential-people-includes-elon-musk-mark-zuckerberg-alex-karp-and-more-public-company-ceos">Most Influential People</a> that Time published earlier this year, the list of influential companies includes top tech, AI, crypto, and healthcare names that are experiencing impressive growth and bringing life-changing technology to consumers or other companies.
Here is the list of publicly traded companies or those that are part of a publicly traded company. It is broken down by the key groups used by Time: Innovators, Disruptors, Leaders, Titans and Pioneers.
Innovators
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>On Holding (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ONON#NYSE">ONON</a>): footwear</li>
<li>Alibaba Group Holding (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>): Chinese e-commerce</li>
<li>Nintendo Co (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTDOY#OTC">NTDOY</a>): video games</li>
<li>BYD Co (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>)(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDF#OTC">BYDDF</a>): electric vehicles</li>
<li>Gap, unit of Gap Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GAP#NYSE">GAP</a>): apparel</li>
<li>Dick's Sporting Goods (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKS#NYSE">DKS</a>): sports and outdoor retailer</li>
<li>EssilorLuxottica (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ESLOY#OTC">ESLOY</a>): sunglasses, optical wear</li>
</ul>
Disruptors
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Waymo, unit of Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>)(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>)</li>
<li>Life Time Group Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LTH#NYSE">LTH</a>): fitness centers</li>
<li>Elf Beauty (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELF#NYSE">ELF</a>): beauty products</li>
<li>Poppi, unit of PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>): beverages</li>
<li>UFC, unit of TKO Group Holding (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TKO#NYSE">TKO</a>): fighting sports league</li>
<li>Pop Mart (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PMRTY#OTC">PMRTY</a>): pop culture retailer</li>
<li>Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>): cryptocurrency trading platform</li>
<li>SharkNinja Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SN#NYSE">SN</a>): home appliances</li>
</ul>
Leaders
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Engie (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENGIY#OTC">ENGIY</a>): energy company</li>
<li>Prologis (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLD#NYSE">PLD</a>): industrial and logistics real estate</li>
<li>Cloudflare Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NET#NASDAQ">NET</a>): a software company</li>
<li>Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILD#NASDAQ">GILD</a>): biotechnology, healthcare</li>
<li>Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUOL#NASDAQ">DUOL</a>): mobile learning</li>
<li>BlackRock (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NYSE">BLK</a>): financials</li>
<li>Hyundai Motor (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HYMTF#OTC">HYMTF</a>): automotives</li>
<li>LinkedIn, unit of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>): social networking</li>
<li>Coursera Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COUR#NYSE">COUR</a>): online learning</li>
</ul>
Titans
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>)(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>): conglomerate</li>
<li>Comcast, NBC Universal, units of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>): media and entertainment</li>
<li>L'Oreal (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRLCY#OTC">LRLCY</a>): beauty company</li>
<li>DoorDash Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DASH#NASDAQ">DASH</a>): food delivery</li>
<li>Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>): social networking</li>
<li>Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>): a software company</li>
<li>Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>): e-commerce</li>
<li>Arm Holdings PLC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>): semiconductors</li>
<li>Procter &amp; Gamble (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>): consumer products</li>
<li>Fiserv Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FI#NYSE">FI</a>): financial technology</li>
<li>MercadoLibre Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MELI#NASDAQ">MELI</a>): Latin American e-commerce</li>
<li>Walmart Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>): retailer</li>
<li>Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>): streaming</li>
<li>Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>): semiconductors</li>
<li>Universal Music Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNVGY#OTC">UNVGY</a>)(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UMGNF#OTC">UMGNF</a>): music publishing</li>
</ul>
Pioneers
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>ASML Holding (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>): semiconductors</li>
<li>Equinor ASA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EQNR#NYSE">EQNR</a>): oil and gas</li>
<li>Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABT#NYSE">ABT</a>): medical devices</li>
<li>Softbank Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBF#OTC">SFTBF</a>)(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFTBY#OTC">SFTBY</a>): telecom and e-commerce conglomerate</li>
<li>CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRSP#NASDAQ">CRSP</a>): gene editing</li>
</ul>
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/09/40760039/elon-musk-less-influential-to-artificial-intelligence-than-scarlett-johansson-time-magazine-">Elon Musk Less Influential To Artificial Intelligence Than Scarlett Johansson, Time Magazine Says: Billionaire Brushes Off Exclusion – &#8216;Magazines Do Not Establish Relevance, History Does&#8217;</a>
Why It's Important: Nearly half of this year's list includes companies that are publicly traded or part of publicly traded companies. This means investors can get exposure to what Time considers some of the most influential companies in the world.
Some of the companies are newer to the public market, which could mean that the 50+ companies that are not yet public could be among IPOs to watch for in the second half of 2025 and beyond.
Some of the most recognizable private companies on this year's list include OpenAI, Polymarket, Anthropic, Anduril, Beast Industries and SpaceX.
When seeking companies that can drive revenue growth and gain customer and consumer adoption, the most influential lists can be a valuable starting point for investors.
Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/03/44367926/mark-cuban-kevin-oleary-rejected-poppi-on-shark-tank-pepsi-just-paid-1-9-billion-to-acquire-company">Mark Cuban, Kevin O&#8217;Leary Rejected Poppi On Shark Tank, Pepsi Just Paid $1.9 Billion To Acquire Company</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

44 Public Companies Make Time's Most Influential List: Coinbase, UFC, Nintendo, Netflix And More Stocks Investors Can Buy

Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>) CEO Marc Benioff said on Thursday that artificial intelligence is now responsible for handling between 30% and 50% of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/06/46079632/bofa-sees-155-billion-agentic-ai-boom-by-2030-spotlights-microsoft-salesforce-and-others">the company's workload. </a>
The Details: Salesforce is rapidly increasing its use of AI to automate tasks and streamline operations, Benioff told <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/26/ai-salesforce-benioff.html">CNBC </a>in an interview.
The CEO emphasized that everyone must recognize how AI is taking over jobs previously done by humans, enabling teams to concentrate on higher-value activities.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/25/06/46055895/ast-spacemobile-stock-downgraded-rocket-lab-prepares-electron-launch-space-stock-countdown?utm_source=articleShare">AST SpaceMobile Stock Downgraded, Rocket Lab Prepares Electron Launch: Space Stock Countdown</a>
Benioff described this shift as a "digital labor revolution," noting that Salesforce's AI implementations have achieved about 93% accuracy—a level he considers strong, though he admits that perfect accuracy is unrealistic. 
He also pointed out that other providers struggle to match this level of precision, largely due to insufficient data and metadata.
The impact of AI adoption is being felt across the tech industry, with Salesforce itself eliminating over 1,000 jobs earlier this year as part of its AI-driven restructuring. 
Other major companies, such as CrowdStrike and Klarna, are also reducing their workforces as they invest in AI. Meanwhile, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has mentioned plans to utilize AI to make the company's workforce more efficient.
What Else: On Tuesday, PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) announced <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/06/46073995/pepsico-taps-salesforce-to-deploy-agentforce-for-ai-driven-growth">a major collaboration</a> with Salesforce to deploy Salesforce's Agentforce platform—an AI-driven tool designed to embed digital agents into operational workflows to streamline customer and sales processes.
Salesforce will also leverage its Data Cloud, Consumer Goods Cloud, Service Cloud and Marketing Cloud platforms to help unify PepsiCo's data streams and automate marketing and retail execution.
Beyond consumer goods, Salesforce is expanding Agentforce into other industries such as healthcare, showcasing the broad applicability of its AI-powered solutions.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/06/46056665/unitedhealth-cvs-among-major-insurers-to-fast-track-prior-authorizations-will-it-cut-profits-even-more?utm_source=articleShare">UnitedHealth, CVS Among Major Insurers To Fast-Track Prior Authorizations: Will It Cut Profits Even More?</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock&nbsp;

AI Runs Up To Half The Show At Salesforce, CEO Says

PepsiCo's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NYSE">PEP</a>) short percent of float has fallen 9.87% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 18.77 million shares sold short, which is 1.37% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.02 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>PepsiCo Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1750777226_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for PepsiCo has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing PepsiCo's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, PepsiCo's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 7.51%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Looking Into PepsiCo's Recent Short Interest

RBC Capital analyst Nik Modi reiterates PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) with a Sector Perform and maintains $148 price target.

Price Target

Reiteration

Analyst Ratings

RBC Capital Reiterates Sector Perform on PepsiCo, Maintains $148 Price Target

Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>) shares climbed in premarket trading Tuesday after the company revealed a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/06/n46071594/pepsico-leverages-salesforces-agentforce-to-advance-ai-agenda" rel="noreferrer noopener">significant collaboration</a> with PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>), a move that appears to be boosting investor confidence.
The food and beverage giant plans to roll out Salesforce&#8217;s Agentforce platform, a tool designed to embed AI-driven digital agents directly into operational workflows to streamline customer and sales processes.
PepsiCo is among the first in its industry to integrate Agentforce at scale.
Also Read:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45989577/salesforce-raises-enterprise-software-prices-6-as-company-pushes-ai-powered-agentforce-platform" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Salesforce Raises Enterprise Software Prices 6% As Company Pushes AI-Powered Agentforce Platform</a>
The move is aimed at modernizing how sales and support teams operate, making them more agile and efficient in a data-driven environment.
According to Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, the partnership underscores the company&#8217;s broader ambition to become more responsive and innovative by weaving AI into its everyday operations. With Agentforce, PepsiCo expects to elevate customer engagement and unlock insights that drive growth.
Through tools like Data Cloud, Consumer Goods Cloud, Service Cloud, and Marketing Cloud, Salesforce will help unify PepsiCo&#8217;s data streams and automate marketing and retail execution.
These platforms will enhance inventory visibility, facilitate real-time collaboration, and optimize promotions with AI-generated insights.
Beyond the consumer goods sector, Salesforce is also actively expanding its Agentforce platform into the healthcare industry, demonstrating the versatility and broad applicability of its AI-powered solutions.
In a separate press release, UChicago Medicine announced its adoption of Agentforce for Health, a tailored version of the platform, to support <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/06/b46071498/salesforce-collaborates-with-uchicago-medicine-to-enhance-patient-support" rel="noreferrer noopener">non-clinical patient services</a>.
By automating routine inquiries through AI-powered chat and phone agents, the hospital system aims to reduce staff workload while improving 24/7 access to key information.
Patients will soon be able to use self-service tools to handle appointment scheduling, insurance verification, and navigation support.
Andrew Chang, Chief Marketing Officer of UChicago Medicine, emphasized the platform&#8217;s potential to help staff focus on complex needs by offloading repetitive tasks to intelligent digital agents.
Salesforce&#8217;s latest developments highlight a broader trend of merging human expertise with autonomous systems to meet evolving operational demands across industries.
According to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>, CRM stock has gained over 9% in the past year. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IGV#BATS">IGV</a>).
Price Action: CRM shares are trading higher by 1.11% to $266.34 premarket at last check Tuesday.
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</ul>
Photo by Erman Gunes via Shutterstock

General

PepsiCo Taps Salesforce To Deploy Agentforce For AI-Driven Growth

Agentforce will enhance field operations and redefine the standard for customer engagement at PepsiCo
PURCHASE, N.Y. and SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --&nbsp;PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) today announced plans to deploy <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4455395-1&amp;h=3752747609&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.salesforce.com%2Fagentforce%2F&amp;a=Agentforce">Agentforce</a> — the digital labor platform from Salesforce (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>) for bringing trusted, autonomous AI agents into the flow of work. Through this expanded collaboration with Salesforce, the world's #1 AI CRM, PepsiCo will leverage AI agents to manage key functions, enhancing customer support and operational efficiency, while empowering sales teams to focus on strategic growth and deeper engagement with retailers. PepsiCo is one of the first major food and beverage companies to deploy Agentforce at scale, marking an important step in PepsiCo's AI roadmap.

PepsiCo Plans To Deploy Agentforce, Digital Labor Platform, From Salesforce For Bringing Autonomous AI Agents Into Flow Of Work

PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) reportedly confirmed plans to discontinue manufacturing operations at its Frito-Lay facility in Rancho Cucamonga in Southern California on Wednesday, bringing an end to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43488561/pepsico-responds-to-health-driven-demand-with-lays-cheetos-and-doritos-brand-owner-frito-lay-overhaul" rel="noreferrer noopener">more than 50 years of production at the site</a>.
The decision was shared in a company statement <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/06/11/frito-lay-plant-closing-rancho-cucamonga/84149067007/" rel="noreferrer noopener">emailed</a> to USA TODAY on June 11, and while the factory's production lines will be halted, the site's warehousing, distribution, transportation, and fleet services will remain operational, USA TODAY reports.
Frito-Lay North America's operating profit in the last reported <a target="_blank" href="https://investors.pepsico.com/docs/default-source/investors/q4-2024/q4-2024-earnings-release_tgzvps60bh39qrbu.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">quarter</a> (Q4) dropped 11% due to higher restructuring costs, lower organic volume, and increased strategic initiative expenses.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/06/45891826/coke-monster-still-sizzle-amid-strong-demand-and-tailwinds-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coke, Monster Still Sizzle Amid Strong Demand And Tailwinds: Analyst</a>
In the statement, PepsiCo Foods U.S. expressed gratitude for the local workforce and community support over five decades.
It also emphasized its commitment to aiding impacted employees during the transition, including compensation and benefits packages, the report reads. The exact number of employees affected has not been released.
As of June 11, the Rancho Cucamonga facility does not appear in California's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) database, which mandates advance notice for mass layoffs or plant closures.
Local reports suggest some workers were terminated without being offered roles in other departments.
The plant has drawn public attention in the past as the former workplace of Richard Montañez, who claimed to have invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos. However, both Frito-Lay and PepsiCo have publicly challenged that narrative.
Frito-Lay, a division of PepsiCo, operates more than 30 manufacturing plants across the U.S., many of which are equipped with advanced processing systems.
Meanwhile, the beverage giant said it&nbsp;will issue its second-quarter 2025 (ending&nbsp;June 14) financial results and other <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/06/n45833936/pepsico-announces-timing-and-availability-of-second-quarter-2025-financial-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">related information on&nbsp;Thursday, July 17, 2025</a>.
The analyst consensus estimate for earnings per share stands at $2.05, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">revenues estimated at $22.28 billion</a>.
Price Action: PEP shares are trading higher by 0.08% to $130.00&nbsp;at last check Thursday.
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Image by monticello via Shutterstock

Large Cap

PepsiCo To Halt Frito-Lay Production In Rancho Cucamonga After 50 Years: Report

While heavyweights like Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>), and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) have compounded investor wealth over the years, this particular beverage company has outperformed all of the others over the last 30 years.
What Happened: No, it&#8217;s not Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>) or PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>), but it is Monster Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MNST#NASDAQ">MNST</a>), which has advanced 444,867% since 1995, outperforming all the other S&amp;P 500 stocks over the last 30 years.
According to data highlighted by Charlie Bilello, the chief marketing strategist at Creative Planning, Monster Beverage has provided a 32.6% annualized return over the last 30 years since Aug. 18, 1995.
The data shows that if an investor had bought positions worth $10,000 in the beverage company, they would have a total of $44,496,814 today.
The exchange-traded fund tracking the S&amp;P 500 index, SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), rose 1,868% in the same period, providing a 10.4% annualized return. Thus growing a $10,000 investment into $196,840 over the 30 years.
The top five S&amp;P 500 performers apart from MNST, according to Bilello&#8217;s list, include Nvidia, Amazon, Axon Enterprises Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXON#NASDAQ">AXON</a>), and Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>)
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Here are the top 30 stocks in the S&amp;P 500 over the past 30 years. You&#39;ll never guess #1&#8230; <a href="https://t.co/T6FjclGgaH">pic.twitter.com/T6FjclGgaH</a>
&mdash; Charlie Bilello (@charliebilello) <a href="https://twitter.com/charliebilello/status/1929175008544268709?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/45716143/trump-administration-set-to-ease-big-bank-rules-in-major-rollback-since-2008-crisis-here-are-the">Trump Administration Set To Ease Big Bank Rules In Major Rollback Since 2008 Crisis: Here Are The Stocks And ETFs Investors Could Consider</a>
Why It Matters: Shares of Monster Beverage have risen by 22.25% on a year-to-date basis, whereas it has gained 23.24% over the last year.
The technical indicators painted a strong picture for the stock. It closed at $63.95 apiece on Friday, which was above its short and long-term simple daily moving averages.
The relative strength index of 67.46 was closer to the overbought conditions but still in the neutral zone. A positive MACD line of 1.33 suggested that its 12-day exponential moving average was above its 26-day EMA, indicating a bullish momentum.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02064010/monster-tech-chart-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-934938" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02064010/monster-tech-chart-1024x576.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02064010/monster-tech-chart-300x169.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02064010/monster-tech-chart-768x432.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02064010/monster-tech-chart-1536x864.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02064010/monster-tech-chart.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that Monster had a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long term. Its momentum ranking was solid, however, its value ranking was poor at the 17.56th percentile. The details of other metrics are<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"> available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="148" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02063916/monster-edge-1024x148.png" alt="" class="wp-image-934935" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02063916/monster-edge-1024x148.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02063916/monster-edge-300x43.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02063916/monster-edge-768x111.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02063916/monster-edge.png 1212w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MNST/analyst-ratings">Benzinga tracks 26 analysts</a> with an average price target of $64.24 for the stock, reflecting a "hold" rating. Estimates range widely from $48 to $120. Recent ratings from Roth MKM, CICC, and UBS average at $61.33, suggesting a potential 3.99% downside.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MNST/analyst-ratings"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="399" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02063942/monster-ANR-1024x399.png" alt="" class="wp-image-934936" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02063942/monster-ANR-1024x399.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02063942/monster-ANR-300x117.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02063942/monster-ANR-768x299.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02063942/monster-ANR.png 1408w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, fell in premarket on Monday. The SPY was down 0.50% at $586.45, while the QQQ declined 0.63% to $586.45, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
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Photo courtesy: kiraziku2u / Shutterstock.com

AAPL

AXON

COST

MNST

NVDA

You'd Be A Millionaire If You Invested $10,000 In This Stock In 1995: Here Is S&P 500's Top Performing Stock Over The Last 30 Years

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has championed &#8220;medical freedom&#8221; while simultaneously limiting access to COVID-19 vaccines and restricting food stamp purchases, creating what public health experts call a dichotomy in his approach to healthcare policy.
What Happened: Kennedy announced last week that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would remove COVID-19 vaccines from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45661031/robert-f-kennedy-jr-says-cdc-drops-covid-vaccine-for-healthy-pregnant-women-children">recommended </a>immunization schedules for healthy children and pregnant women.
The decision bypassed traditional advisory committee processes and shifted coverage from routine recommendations to shared clinical decision-making between doctors and patients.
&#8220;Regarding the vaccines, HHS is restoring the doctor-patient relationship,&#8221; HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in a <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/rfk-jr-promoted-freedom-choice-limiting-vaccines-food/story?id=122526364">statement</a> to ABC News. &#8220;We are encouraging those groups to consult with their health care provider to help them make an informed decision.&#8221;
Kennedy has also pushed to ban Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients from purchasing candy and soda with food stamps. Ten state governors have submitted waivers to the Agriculture Department requesting permission for such restrictions, according to Kennedy&#8217;s statements at a Make America Healthy Again event in May.
The Food and Drug Administration began <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45399804/robert-kennedy-jr-cheers-fda-plan-to-ban-fluoride-supplements-for-children-calls-move-long-overdue">removing fluoride supplements for children </a>from the market, earning Kennedy&#8217;s praise as &#8220;long overdue.&#8221; The agency cited a lack of FDA approval and evidence that these products alter gut microbiomes.
Kennedy&#8217;s broader MAHA initiative has influenced restaurant chains to eliminate seed oils. Biglari Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BH#NYSE">BH</a>) subsidiary Steak &#8216;n Shake switched to beef tallow for French fries, while Sweetgreen Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SG#NYSE">SG</a>), Bloomin&#8217; Brands Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLMN#NASDAQ">BLMN</a>), and Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QSR#NYSE">QSR</a>) have initiated similar transitions.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45809455/tesla-stock-climbed-nearly-5-in-friday-pre-market-whats-going-on">Tesla Stock Climbed Nearly 5% In Friday Pre-Market: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
Why It Matters: Critics argue Kennedy&#8217;s policies contradict his &#8220;medical freedom&#8221; messaging by limiting choices. Removing COVID vaccines from CDC schedules restricts access while claiming to promote freedom.
&#8220;If you restrict access, you necessarily restrict choice,&#8221; Dr. Matthew Ferrari of Pennsylvania State University told ABC News. Public health experts warn Kennedy&#8217;s approach individualizes community health decisions. &#8220;We&#8217;re losing a lot of that underpinning, which has led to a lot of the gains in public health,&#8221; Dr. Craig Spencer of Brown University told ABC News.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image Via Shutterstock

Health Care

BLMN

MRNA

NVAX

RFK Jr. Champions 'Medical Freedom' While Curtailing Access, Say Public Health Experts

The Aluminium Association of Canada (AAC) has condemned the U.S. government's move to impose a 50% tariff on Canadian <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/aluminum" rel="noreferrer noopener">aluminum</a>, calling it a protectionist misfire that risks destabilizing North America's integrated manufacturing base and driving higher inflation across key sectors.
"A 50% tariff on Canadian aluminum will suppress demand across the continent — whether the metal is produced in Canada or the U.S.," Jean Simard, AAC's president and CEO, <a target="_blank" href="https://aluminium.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/AAC_PRESS-RELEASE_US-Tariffs_50_June-3-2025_FINAL.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> in a press release.
"It will impact workers on both sides of the border and disrupt key sectors including defense, construction, and automotive," he stated.
The tariff, enacted last Wednesday following an executive order from President Donald Trump, effectively prices Canadian exports out of the U.S. market at $1,349.50 per metric ton. Simard warned that the move may force Canadian producers to reorient trade toward the European Union and away from their most critical industrial partner.
Food packaging is among the industries most exposed to these tariffs, as large companies such as Campbell Soup (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPB#NASDAQ">CPB</a>) and Coca-Cola (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>) heavily rely on aluminum for their products.
The domestic Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) also responded to Trump's decision, pointing out how aluminum and tinplate steel tariffs would hurt American families.
"Doubling the steel tariff will further increase the cost of canned goods at the grocery store," CMI president Robert Budway <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cancentral.com/can-manufacturers-institute-opposes-president-trumps-doubling-of-steel-tariffs/" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> on May 30. "These metal tariffs put our nation's food security at risk."
Nine domestic mill production lines have closed since the original 2018 tariffs on tin mill steel, leaving only three operational facilities. Thus, the domestic industry relies on roughly 80% of tin mill steel imports and a significant portion of aluminum.
Canada annually ships 2.7 million metric tons of aluminum to the U.S., much of which is transformed into beverage cans, canned food containers, and consumer packaging.
That raw material supports over 700,000 American manufacturing jobs, while Canada's aluminum sector directly employs 9,500 workers. Combined, the binational aluminum value chain contributes more than $228 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
Thanks to its abundant hydropower, Canada produces low-carbon aluminum at a cost and emissions profile that is far below that of many of its global competitors. That energy benefit is enormous — equivalent to 40 million megawatt-hours per year, or the annual output of four Hoover Dams.
Simrad noted that the Canadian industry supports the U.S. goal of increasing domestic aluminum production capacity from 50% to 80% of national demand, but added that tariffs undermine the investment certainty needed to build that capacity.
"Even if U.S. output doubles, it will still be a net importer," he said.
Instead, the AAC and CMI urge the U.S. to target the real threat: subsidized overcapacity from China. Canada already leads the world in aluminum traceability and anti-dumping enforcement. "Canadian aluminum is not — and will not be — a backdoor for unfair trade," Simard stated. "Undermining a trusted partner only weakens the foundation we both stand on."
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Photo via Shutterstock

Government

Commodities

Politics

ABEV

Coca-Cola European Partners plc Ordinary Shares

CCEP

Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. De C.V.

HEINY

US Aluminum Tariffs Risk Supply Chain And Food Security, Industry Insiders Warn

<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-made-tough-requests-vietnam-trade-talks-sources-say-2025-06-03/" title="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-made-tough-requests-vietnam-trade-talks-sources-say-2025-06-03/">https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-made-tough-requests-vietnam-trade-talks-sources-say-2025-06-03/</a>

Macro Economic Events

Global

Economics

INTC

Reported Earlier: 'U.S. Made 'Tough' Requests To Vietnam In Trade Talks, Sources Say' - Reuters News

Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>) management continued to place its bets on the multitrillion-dollar opportunity arising from the digital labor revolution during its first-quarter earnings call on Wednesday.
What Happened: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff says that the &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43999577/salesforce-aims-beyond-crm-bets-big-on-digital-labor-revolution-as-ceo-predicts-up-to-12-trillion-market">digital labor revolution</a>&#8221; is a transformative shift in the way work is done, driven by the rise of AI-powered digital workers or agents. 
After talking about it in its fourth quarter earnings call, Benioff stated during the recent fourth quarter call that &#8220;We are now just very well positioned to take advantage of this multitrillion-dollar opportunity in AI and enterprise software and digital labor&#8221;
CNBC&#8217;s Jim Cramer appreciated Salesforce even as it closed lower on Thursday. He was concerned about the market disliking the stock despite &#8220;exciting things they are doing.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Not sure to trust this futures burst.. I wouldn&#39;t come in on top of it.. let&#39;s put it that way .. Still marveling at how CRM has gotten so disliked versus the exciting things they are doing&#8230;
&mdash; Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcramer/status/1927905955020231012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
Salesforce is actively embracing digital labor internally and offering it as a core product to customers, primarily through its Agentforce platform.
Internally, Salesforce is using &#8220;digital labor&#8221; for customer support, sales operations, and things like making notes for meetings and summarizing Slack channels.
Salesforce is also enabling its customers to adopt digital labor in various ways:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Finnair is automating its customer service using Agentforce to manage 12 million passengers.</li>
<li>Falabella is deploying Agentforce on WhatsApp to handle order inquiries.</li>
<li>OpenTable is deploying Agentforce across restaurants, employees, and consumers.</li>
<li>PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) is building an &#8220;agentic layer&#8221; around its vast operations using Salesforce&#8217;s Data Cloud and multiple clouds.</li>
<li>Grupo Global boosted its retention rate by 22% and drove revenue upgrades, cross-selling, and converted non-subscribers with Agentforce.</li>
<li>Engie is assisting 83% of its users with Agentforce.</li>
<li>Takeda will use Life Sciences Cloud with Agentforce and Data Cloud to unify data and deploy agents across medical, commercial, and patient care operations.</li>
</ul>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/05/45611941/quantum-computing-stocks-in-focus-pure-play-vs-large-caps-heres-a-look-at-the-valuations">Quantum Computing Stocks In Focus: Pure Play Vs. Large Caps &#8211; Here&#8217;s A Look At The Valuations</a>
Why It Matters: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45657851/salesforce-q1-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-raised-guidance-momentum-in-agentic-ai-shares-surge">Salesforce&#8217;s first-quarter</a> revenue of $9.83 billion beat the consensus estimate of $9.75 billion. Its adjusted earnings of $2.58 per share also beat analyst estimates of $2.55 per share. 
Second quarter revenue outlook ranges from $10.11 billion to $10.16 billion versus estimates of $10.01 billion. The company anticipates second-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.80 to $1.82 per share versus estimates of $1.71 per share.
It also increased the fiscal-year 2026 revenue guidance to a range of $41 billion to $41.3 billion, versus estimates of $40.83 billion.
CRM stock closed 0.42% lower on Wednesday. It was 16.52% lower on a year-to-date basis and 1.62% higher over a year.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that CRM had a stronger price trend over the short term but a weaker trend over the medium and long term. Its momentum ranking was moderate, and its value ranking was poor at the 8.02th percentile. The details of other metrics are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="150" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/29023618/CRM-EDGE-1024x150.png" alt="" class="wp-image-930900" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/29023618/CRM-EDGE-1024x150.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/29023618/CRM-EDGE-300x44.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/29023618/CRM-EDGE-768x112.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/29023618/CRM-EDGE.png 1210w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, fell on Wednesday. The SPY was down 0.58% to $587.73, while the QQQ declined 0.44% to $518.91, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Read Next:
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Photo courtesy: NYCStock / Shutterstock.com

Salesforce Declares 'Multitrillion Dollar Opportunity' With Digital Labor Revolution: Jim Cramer Says CRM Is Doing 'Exciting Things'

On May 7, the Ninth Circuit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/ftc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">affirmed the decision</a> of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, FTC versus Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), denying the Commission&#8217;s application for a preliminary injunction to block Microsoft&#8217;s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Inc.  
The Commission has now determined that the public interest is best served by dismissing the administrative litigation <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/2210077-microsoftactivision-blizzard-matter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in this case</a>.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45541908/supermicro-eyes-texas-mississippi-for-ai-server-growth-as-microsoft-amazon-increase-spending" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Supermicro Eyes Texas, Mississippi For AI Server Growth As Microsoft, Amazon Increase Spending</a>
Microsoft sold the Xbox gaming console and offered a video game subscription service called Xbox Game Pass and a cloud-based video game streaming service. The agency alleged that the deal would enable Microsoft to suppress competitors to its Xbox gaming consoles and its rapidly growing subscription and cloud-gaming business. The Commission withdrew the matter from adjudication in July 2023 and returned it to adjudication on Sept. 26, 2023. 
Recently, the FTC also dropped a lawsuit against PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) for allegedly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45582935/ftc-scraps-pepsico-price-discrimination-case-in-3-0-vote-marking-major-shift-as-trump-era-leadership-reverses-biden-crackdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offering preferential pricing</a> to major retailers like Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>). The case marked broader Biden administration efforts to target price discrimination.
The FTC also paused cases against CVS Health Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), and UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) over pharmacy benefit manager practices, citing commissioner shortages after President Donald Trump&#8216;s personnel changes.
President Trump named FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42428224/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-mirror-stock-declines-ahead-of-crucial-inflation-data-release-top-analyst-says-buy-the-dip-predicts-275k-btc-target" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his choice</a> for FTC chair last December, replacing Lina Khan. This could potentially reshape the agency&#8217;s approach to tech regulation and antitrust enforcement.
Under Khan&#8217;s leadership, the federal firm has aggressively targeted tech giants, including&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>),&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and&nbsp;Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>).
Price Action: MSFT stock is down 1.06% at $450.31 at last check Friday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45565087/cramer-backs-marvell-again-as-ai-deals-with-amazon-microsoft-fuel-stock-surge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cramer Backs Marvell Again As AI Deals With Amazon, Microsoft Fuel Stock Surge</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Legal

Microsoft Clears Major Hurdle As FTC Ends Effort To Block Activision Merger

The Federal Trade Commission voted 3-0 on Thursday to dismiss a lawsuit against PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) that accused the beverage giant of offering preferential pricing to major retailers, marking a significant shift from former President Joe Biden-era corporate scrutiny under the President Donald Trump administration.
What Happened: The FTC dropped the case filed in January&#8217;s final days of the Biden administration, with NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/biden-era-pepsi-price-discrimination-suit-dropped-ftc-rcna208635">reporting</a> that Chair Andrew Ferguson criticized it as &#8220;a nakedly political effort to commit this administration to pursuing little more than a hunch that Pepsi had violated the law.&#8221; 
Ferguson, who dissented when the case was originally filed as a commissioner, now leads the agency after President Trump fired two Democratic commissioners in March.
The original lawsuit alleged PepsiCo violated the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-todayhttps://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-today">Robinson-Patman Act</a> by providing unfair pricing advantages to Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) through promotional payments and advertising allowances not extended to competing retailers. 
PepsiCo welcomed the decision, stating it &#8220;has always and will continue to provide all customers with fair, competitive, and non-discriminatory pricing.&#8221; 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45581873/top-amd-exec-bets-nearly-1-million-on-stocksignals-confidence-amid-buybacks-easing-tariffs-and-saudi-deal">Top AMD Exec Adds Nearly $1 Million Of The Chipmaker&#8217;s Stock: Signals Confidence Amid Buybacks, Easing Tariffs And Saudi Deal</a> Why It Matters: The case was part of broader Biden administration efforts targeting price discrimination, following a December action against Southern Glazer&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-todayhttps://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-today">wine and spirits distributor</a>.
The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44627279/ftc-pauses-lawsuit-against-cvs-cigna-unitedhealths-pbms-amid-commissioner-shortage?utm_source=chatgpt.com">FTC also paused separate cases</a> against CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), and UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) over pharmacy benefit manager practices, citing commissioner shortages after Trump&#8217;s personnel changes. 
Image Via Shutterstock 
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Regulations

FTC Scraps PepsiCo Price Discrimination Case In 3-0 Vote, Marking Major Shift As Trump-Era Leadership Reverses Biden Crackdown

<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/05/ftc-dismisses-lawsuit-against-pepsico" title="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/05/ftc-dismisses-lawsuit-against-pepsico">https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/05/ftc-dismisses-lawsuit-against-pepsico</a>

Reported Earlier: 'FTC Dismisses Lawsuit Against PepsiCo'

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers and farming communities as his highly anticipated &#8220;Make America Healthy Again&#8221; report approaches Thursday&#8217;s release, with glyphosate pesticide regulations emerging as the primary flashpoint between public health advocates and agricultural interests.
What Happened: The MAHA Commission report, mandated by President Donald Trump within 100 days to analyze childhood disease factors, has sparked preemptive opposition from 79 Republican lawmakers representing farming states, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-kennedy-farmers-maha-trump-pesticides-5d5a83bde6b88290cf9c3536e74523be">according</a> to AP. Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley warned Wednesday that farmers have expressed concerns about being excluded from the report&#8217;s input process.
Kennedy addressed Senate Appropriations Committee concerns from Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, stating &#8220;there&#8217;s not a single word in them that should worry the American farmer&#8221; and promising not to &#8220;jeopardize that business model.&#8221; The commission, established by Trump&#8217;s February executive order, was tasked with examining prescription drugs, chemicals, and food ingredients affecting children.
The report comes alongside a proposed $500 million budget boost for Kennedy&#8217;s MAHA initiative, while simultaneously cutting infectious disease prevention, maternal health, and medical research programs. Kennedy supporters, including 360 MAHA advocates and former campaign staffers, have submitted pesticide studies pressing for chemical industry accountability.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45558200/advance-auto-parts-gears-up-for-q1-print-here-are-the-recent-forecast-changes-from-wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts">Advance Auto Parts Gears Up For Q1 Print; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts</a>
Why It Matters: The report&#8217;s potential glyphosate restrictions could significantly impact agricultural productivity and food company operations. Kennedy&#8217;s broader MAHA agenda has already influenced restaurant industry practices, with Biglari Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BH#NASDAQ">BH</a>) subsidiary Steak &#8216;n Shake switching from seed oils to beef tallow for French fries, earning Kennedy&#8217;s public praise for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/restaurants/25/03/44280041/rfk-jr-thanks-steak-n-shake-for-rfking-the-french-fries-restaurant-goes-all-in-on-make-america-healthy-again">&#8220;RFKing the French fries.&#8221;</a>
Other restaurant chains, including Sweetgreen Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SG#NYSE">SG</a>), Bloomin&#8217; Brands Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLMN#NASDAQ">BLMN</a>)-owned Outback Steakhouse, and Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QSR#NYSE">QSR</a>)-owned Popeyes, have initiated similar transitions. Kennedy has scheduled meetings with food giants PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) and General Mills Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44209953/rfk-jr-takes-on-food-giants-calls-meeting-with-pepsico-and-general-mills">address processed food concerns.</a>
The MAHA initiative&#8217;s budget proposal threatens the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/05/45522362/we-have-no-details-says-food-program-director-as-trumps-maha-boxes-threaten-730000-seniors-grocery-lifeline">$425 million Commodity Supplemental Food Program</a>, potentially affecting 730,000 seniors&#8217; grocery access through replacement &#8220;MAHA boxes.&#8221; Food program directors report logistical challenges and communication gaps, with Connecticut Foodshare experiencing 34 canceled federal shipments affecting over 600 food banks statewide.
The World Health Organization classifies glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, while farmers argue it remains essential for weed control without excessive soil tilling, creating a regulatory tension between public health priorities and agricultural economics.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image Via Shutterstock

RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' Report Stirs GOP, Farmers Over Glyphosate Concerns Ahead Of Release

PepsiCo's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NYSE">PEP</a>) short percent of float has risen 10.34% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 21.85 million shares sold short, which is 1.6% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.54 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>PepsiCo Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747857635_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for PepsiCo has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing PepsiCo's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, PepsiCo's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 7.85%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Peering Into PepsiCo's Recent Short Interest

Jim Cramer thinks that the bond market now offers a clearer risk-reward trade-off than so-called "safety" stocks, warning that rising 10-year Treasury yields and a political "wild card" in Washington make even dividend stalwarts feel shaky.
What Happened: The 10-year Treasury yield's jump to its highest level in more than a month has tightened the spread between bond payouts and blue-chip dividends, dulling the appeal of AbbVie (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>), Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), Procter &amp; Gamble (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>) and Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CL#NYSE">CL</a>), Cramer <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/14/jim-cramer-explains-why-its-hard-to-own-usual-safety-stocks-here.html">told</a> CNBC&#8217;s &#8216;Mad Money&#8217; viewers on Wednesday.
"In a very uncertain tape for what <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/44809259/3-safe-dividend-stocks-as-investors-seek-to-reset-diversification">used to be called</a> ‘safety stocks,' I'd rather just own a piece of paper like the 10-year Treasury, where, if worst comes to worst, at least I get my money back," Cramer said.
Cramer flagged Robert F. Kennedy Jr., newly installed as Health and Human Services secretary, as an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/42254495/trumps-hhs-pick-rfk-jr-has-a-long-history-of-challenging-global-health-policies">unpredictable force</a> who could clamp down on pharmaceutical pricing and food additives. "Investors don't know whether Kennedy will act in favor of the companies he's tasked with regulating," he cautioned.
See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45426516/chuck-schumer-says-trump-is-letting-cartel-members-into-the-us-asks-how-much-memecoin-did-they-pay">Chuck Schumer Says Trump Is &#8216;Letting Cartel Members&#8217; Into The US, Asks How Much &#8216;Memecoin&#8217; Did They Pay</a>
What To Know: That uncertainty compounds existing headaches. Johnson &amp; Johnson is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44586129/us-judge-rejects-another-johnson-johnson-attempt-to-use-bankruptcy-for-talc-cancer-claims">still wrestling</a> with talc-related lawsuits that have already cost billions in settlements and reserves, a cloud Wall Street <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44920880/expert-flags-never-before-observed-trio-falling-stocks-and-short-yields-bucking-rising-long-yields-nothing-is-normal-about-this">fears could grow</a> heavier if bond yields <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45399783/gordon-johnson-warns-of-potential-liberation-day-20-as-30-year-treasury-yields-approach-5-amid-dollar-weakness?utm_source=chatgpt.com">keep luring</a> income-seekers away. AbbVie's rich dividend likewise looks less generous when a risk-free Treasury pays nearly the same rate with zero headline risk.
Consumer staples aren't immune either, says Cramer. Procter &amp; Gamble and Colgate boast recession-proof brands, yet their 2–3% yields no longer tower over Treasuries, and Cramer said "the yields may simply not be high enough to justify the risk."
Snack titan PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) and cereal maker General Mills (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GIS#NYSE">GIS</a>) could also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/42144709/kennedys-war-on-food-dyes-could-be-coming-to-your-breakfast-table">come under fire</a> if Kennedy pushes to restrict artificial colors and other additives, Cramer warned, asking rhetorically whether kids would still eat Lucky Charms without its rainbow marshmallows.
Why It Matters: For now, Cramer said he is "tempted to buy General Mills" on weakness, but fears Washington's next pitch more than the stock's upside.
Cramer also told "Mad Money" viewers that recession worries can be a buying opportunity, saying high-quality retailers look cheap so long as you don't think the economy will "fall off a cliff." Despite earlier warning, the sector was in the trade-war "blast radius," he now does have a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45416455/jim-cramer-says-these-retail-stocks-rl-gap-can-survive-a-market-correction">couple of clear favorites</a> to scoop up on any dip.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings indicate Johnson &amp; Johnson has a Momentum in the 47th percentile and Growth in the 63rd, how do other &#8220;safety&#8221; stocks rank in terms of these metrics? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Check them out here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="442" height="282" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15010652/Screenshot-2025-05-15-at-14.06.33.png" alt="" class="wp-image-915950" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15010652/Screenshot-2025-05-15-at-14.06.33.png 442w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/15010652/Screenshot-2025-05-15-at-14.06.33-300x191.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px" /></figure>
Photo courtesy: katz / Shutterstock.com
Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/25/05/45427289/peter-schiff-warns-qatars-200-billion-boeing-deal-could-spike-us-inflation-interest-rates-says-treasury-sell-off-may-follow">Peter Schiff Warns Qatar&#8217;s $200 Billion Boeing Deal Could Spike US Inflation, Interest Rates — Says Treasury Sell-Off May Follow</a>

ABBV

Jim Cramer Says Even 'Safety' Stocks Look Risky, Warns Of 'Wild Card' In Washington And Rising Treasury Yields As Reasons To Stay Away From Sure Bets

The latest round of the U.S.-China tariffs are "destructive" to American small businesses, investor and "Shark Tank" star <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43978834/kevin-oleary-says-government-needs-more-more-cutting-urges-slashing-and-hacking-to-fix-federal-spending">Kevin O'Leary</a> said on <a href="https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/cnc/date/2025-04-22/segment/04">CNN</a> on April 22.
His remarks come amid escalating trade tensions between the two countries. On April 9, the White House <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/modifying-reciprocal-tariff-rates-to-reflect-trading-partner-retaliation-and-alignment/">announced</a> a tariff hike on Chinese goods from 84% to 125%. The next day, China's Ministry of Commerce hit back with an 84% tariff on U.S. products.
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He said, "So, I&#8217;m very happy that some administration, this one particularly, is taking them on to resolve this problem once and for all. And [Chinese President Xi Jinping] needs the U.S. and the U.S. needs Xi. So, let&#8217;s get this thing resolved. I&#8217;m OK with the volatility." He also urged policymakers to "circle the wagons" with U.S. allies.&nbsp;
O'Leary described the current market swings as a necessary step toward addressing what he called decades of imbalanced trade practices. He also proposed a 400% blanket tariff, emphasizing that "only shock therapy forces change."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs, Tensions And The Toll</h2>
O'Leary's frustration stems from firsthand experience. "I'm an example of someone who's really been screwed by the Chinese in IP. theft," he said, emphasizing a need to focus on policy over personality.
Trending: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/tax-deferring-adv"> Tax deferring is their number one strategy</a>.
Household sentiment followed the headlines. The University of Michigan's <a href="https://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/">consumer sentiment index</a> showed its expectations index down 32% since January, while inflation expectations soared to 6.5%—the highest since 1981.&nbsp;
On April 22, the International Monetary Fund <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2025/04/22/the-global-economy-enters-a-new-era">slashed</a> its global trade-growth outlook to 1.7%, blaming what it called &#8220;the most intense bilateral tariff standoff of the century.&#8221;&nbsp;
Markets echoed the anxiety. Bloomberg estimated a<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-09/goldman-sachs-sees-65-chance-of-us-recession-in-next-12-months"> 45% chance</a> of a U.S. recession within the next 12 months, largely attributed to a &#8220;tariff-induced demand shock.&#8221;&nbsp;
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Corporate earnings also hinted at trouble: PepsiCo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) warned in its<a href="https://investors.pepsico.com/docs/default-source/investors/q1-2025/q1-2025-earnings-release_qrwd2bctzikuphl4.pdf"> Q1 earnings report</a> that rising supply-chain costs could keep core EPS flat for 2025, while Procter &amp; Gamble (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>) announced a<a href="https://us.pg.com/newsroom/news-releases/PG-Announces-Fiscal-Year-2025-Third-Quarter-Results"> 2% revenue dip</a> tied to tariffs and freight surcharges.
Beijing <a href="https://english.mofcom.gov.cn/News/PressConference/art/2025/art_3f539956ed274e34b61d9b4df5634677.html">moved to soften some</a> blowback by exempting certain U.S. medical devices from its 125% tariff.
Cargo statistics tell the same story. Analysts at <a href="https://www.apolloacademy.com/trade-between-china-and-the-us-collapsing/">Apollo Global Management</a> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APO#NYSE">APO</a>) warned that container bookings from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44281204/jack-ma-xi-jinping-and-the-53b-ai-bet-alibabas-comeback-signals-a-new-era-for-chinese-big-tech">China</a> to U.S. ports have plunged to pandemic-era lows, potentially triggering &#8220;COVID-like shortages" within a few weeks.
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