BUZZ - Brokerage opinion: Pepsi's growth strategy in the US still needs adjustment

On October 9, Moderna (MRNA.O) shares rose by about 12% to $220 on Friday, after reaching their highest point since January 2022, as the company was added to the Nasdaq 100 Index (.NDX). Bank of America raised its price target for the stock from $170 to $200. On Thursday, the stock closed at $197. Bank of America analysts maintained a neutral rating and noted that the price target was raised due to a slight reduction in expectations for U.S. COVID-related revenues, offset by anticipated growth in influenza sales by 2027. This also factored in an increase in the expected price for intismeran, as well as projected sales growth for the drug in the coming years; intismeran is a cancer vaccine co-developed with Merck (MRK.N). However, they pointed out that much of intismeran's value has already been reflected in the share price ahead of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) conference and upcoming data releases. Since the third-quarter earnings report will only be announced after the presentation at the ESMO conference on October 24, Bank of America noted that the significance of the Q3 results is relatively low. Nevertheless, BofA still expects the company to achieve its guidance of up to 10% revenue growth for 2026, with year-end cash holdings reaching $4.7 billion to $5.2 billion. The bank also stated its forecast for third-quarter preventive vaccine revenue is $812 million, below market consensus, and its total revenue estimate of $848 million is likewise below consensus. Since August 18, Moderna's stock price has been on a strong uptrend, following encouraging late-stage clinical data on intismeran, which encouraged investors to buy the stock. Moderna was included in the Nasdaq 100 Index (link), replacing Warner Bros. Discovery, which is set to merge with Paramount Global. Year-to-date, Moderna shares are up about 650%, marking the largest annual gain in its history, making it the top performer in the S&P 500 Index (.SPX) year-to-date. In contrast, the S&P 500 Healthcare Index (.SPXHC) is up only 10.3% so far in 2026. (For the convenience of non-English speakers, Reuters provides automated translation of its reports into several other languages. As automated translation may contain errors or lack required context, Reuters does not guarantee the accuracy of automated translated texts, and these are provided solely for the reader's convenience. Reuters assumes no responsibility for any damage or losses caused by the use of automated translation functionality.)

01:37 PM EDT, 10/09/2026 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with latest market prices and developments.) US benchmark equity indexes were higher intraday as investors evaluated a survey on consumer sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.8% at 51,628.8 after midday Friday, while the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 rose 0.6% each to 27,352.4 and 7,809.5, respectively. Barring communication services, all sectors were in the green, led by real estate. US consumer sentiment fell in October as the one- and five-year inflation expectations reached their highest levels since May, preliminary results of a University of Michigan survey showed Friday. "While year-ahead expectations for personal finances and business conditions crept up slightly, buying conditions for durables plummeted amid high prices and borrowing costs," Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu said. "Frustration over cost-of-living continues to mount, as consumers across the political spectrum believe that the trajectory of the economy has weakened since the beginning of the year." Markets are currently pricing in a nearly 81% probability that the Federal Reserve will keep its benchmark rate steady later this month, with the remaining odds in favor of a second consecutive 25-basis-point hike, as the central bank looks to tame inflation, according to the CME FedWatch tool. West Texas Intermediate crude was down 0.4% at $91.17 a barrel intraday, while Brent lost 0.5% to $103.81. The 10-year US Treasury yield was up 1.5 basis points at 5.25%, while the two-year rate increased 3.9 basis points to 4.8%. In company news, SpaceX (SPCX) shares were up 0.5%. The rocket and satellite company said late Thursday it agreed to acquire a nationwide low-band spectrum portfolio from investment firm Grain Management as it seeks to establish Starlink Mobile as a major US mobile carrier. T-Mobile US (TMUS) shares sank 13% intraday Friday, the worst performer on the S&P 500, followed by AT&T (T) and Verizon Communications (VZ), which fell 10% and 9.8%, respectively.

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