ZVIA vs PEP

For growth investors, Zevia PBC (ZVIA) is the stronger pick with 4.

0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 3% for PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP). PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) offers the better valuation at 26. 0x trailing P/E (18. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Zevia PBC (ZVIA) a "Buy" — based on 8 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

Over the past 5 years, PepsiCo, Inc.

(PEP) delivered a total return of +24. 4%, compared to -91. 5% for Zevia PBC (ZVIA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PEP returned +89. 5% versus ZVIA's -91. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), PepsiCo, Inc.

(PEP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 03β versus Zevia PBC's 1. 26β — meaning ZVIA is approximately 3863% more volatile than PEP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Zevia PBC (ZVIA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 2% for PepsiCo, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Zevia PBC (ZVIA) is pulling ahead at 4.

0% versus 2. 3% for PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Zevia PBC grew EPS 55. 9% year-over-year, compared to -13. 7% for PepsiCo, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PEP leads at 2. 8% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

PepsiCo, Inc.

(PEP) is the more profitable company, earning 8. 8% net margin versus -6. 3% for Zevia PBC — meaning it keeps 8. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PEP leads at 12. 2% versus -6. 0% for ZVIA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PEP leads at 54. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ZVIA: 244.

8% to $4. 00.

In this comparison, PEP (3.

6% yield) pays a dividend. ZVIA does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, PepsiCo, Inc.

(PEP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 03), 3. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PEP: +89. 5%, ZVIA: -91. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the null sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: ZVIA is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PEP is a large-cap income-oriented stock. PEP pays a dividend while ZVIA does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.