Can Keurig Dr Pepper Outrun PepsiCo in the Next Rally?

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Downside
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Market
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Trefis
PEP: PepsiCo logo
PEP
PepsiCo

PepsiCo surged 17% during the past Month. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer Keurig Dr Pepper gives you more. Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs PepsiCo (PEP) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in KDP

  • KDP’s quarterly revenue growth was 10.7%, vs. PEP’s 5.6%.
  • In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 6.8%, ahead of PEP’s 2.3%.
  • KDP leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 21.5% and 3-year average of 21.8%.

These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how PEP’s fundamentals stack up against those of KDP on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.

Trefis: PEP Stock Insights

Valuation & Performance Overview

  PEP KDP Preferred
     
Valuation      
P/EBIT Ratio 17.0 11.6 KDP
     
Revenue Growth      
Last Quarter 5.6% 10.7% KDP
Last 12 Months 2.3% 6.8% KDP
Last 3 Year Average 2.9% 5.9% KDP
     
Operating Margins      
Last 12 Months 14.4% 21.5% KDP
Last 3 Year Average 14.2% 21.8% KDP
     
Momentum      
Last 3 Year Return 5.4% -10.4% PEP

Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: PEP Revenue Comparison | KDP Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: PEP Operating Income Comparison | KDP Operating Income Comparison

Relevant Articles
  1. Stronger Bet Than PepsiCo Stock: KDP Delivers More
  2. Why COKE Could Outperform PepsiCo Stock
  3. COKE Looks Smarter Buy Than PepsiCo Stock
  4. Stronger Bet Than PepsiCo Stock: COKE Delivers More
  5. PepsiCo Stock To $111?
  6. Ten-Year Tally: PepsiCo Stock Delivers $73 Bil Gain

See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell KDP Stock and Buy or Sell PEP Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.

Historical Market Performance

  2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Total [1] Avg Best
Returns
PEP Return 21% 7% -3% -8% -2% 15% 30%    
KDP Return 17% -1% -4% -1% -10% 6% 5%    
S&P 500 Return 27% -19% 24% 23% 16% 1% 84%   <===
Monthly Win Rates [3]
PEP Win Rate 58% 50% 58% 33% 50% 100%   58%  
KDP Win Rate 50% 42% 42% 50% 58% 50%   49%  
S&P 500 Win Rate 75% 42% 67% 75% 67% 50%   62% <===
Max Drawdowns [4]
PEP Max Drawdown -13% -11% -11% -8% -15% -5%   -10%  
KDP Max Drawdown -4% -6% -20% -13% -19% -4%   -11%  
S&P 500 Max Drawdown -1% -25% -1% -2% -15% -1%   -7% <===

[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] 2026 data is for the year up to 2/23/2026 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year

No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read KDP Dip Buyer Analyses to see how the stock has fallen and recovered in the past.

Still not sure about PEP or KDP? Consider portfolio approach.

Portfolios Are The Smarter Way To Invest

Individual stocks are unpredictable. A smart portfolio helps you invest, limits downside shocks, and provides upside exposure.

Why settle for average market returns? The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio invests in a diverse group of 30 stocks that have collectively delivered stronger upside with reduced volatility compared to the broader indices. Discover the methodology behind these smoother, higher returns by checking the HQ Portfolio performance data.