11 Blue Chip Stocks to Invest in at 52-Week Lows

3. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)

Stock Price as of March 25: $145.54

52-week Low: $141.51

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69

PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is engaged in the manufacturing, marketing, distributing, and selling of various beverages and convenient foods. UBS analyst Peter Grom reaffirmed a “Buy” rating on the company’s stock with the price objective of $175.0. The analyst’s statement came after the company’s announcement that it has agreed to acquire Poppi, which is a prebiotic soda brand. Notably, this initiative forms part of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)’s strategy to improve the carbonated soft drink (CSD) portfolio with a brand that remains in line with the increased consumer demand for healthier options. UBS expects that the catalysts for the company’s stock performance would be closely associated with the trends in North America, mainly within the salty snacks segment.

PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)’s emphasis on productivity initiatives and cost savings offers a strong opportunity for improvement in profitability and operational efficiency. Such initiatives can drive increased margins and might potentially offset some of the challenges witnessed in the domestic market. Through the implementation of efficient processes and leveraging economies of scale, PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) can reduce the cost base, resulting in more competitive pricing or higher investment in marketing and product innovation.