It looks like Pepsico (NYSE: PEP) has a superhero coming to its aid.
The company's stock has been quite volatile recently, dipping 7% this past February before rallying back throughout March. But Pepsi's stock rose 0.5% on Monday after the company-owned Mountain Dew announced a partnership with the upcoming film The Dark Knight Rises.
According to MarketWatch, Mountain Dew will distribute a limited-edition mixed-berry flavor inspired by the film. The company will also provide exclusive content to viewers through a digital experience before opening day.
The partnership could draw thousands of Dark Knight fans to the soda company. The latest installment, The Dark Knight (2008), broke box-office records with a $158.4 million opening weekend and raked in more than a billion dollars worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.
Mountain Dew senior marketing manager Zach Harris states that "Mountain Dew is always looking for partnerships that are meaningful to our consumers and that we can customize to increase value for our fans."
The new Mountain Dew Dark Berry will be available for eight weeks, starting in mid-June.
Business section: investing ideas
With the partnership fully announced, Pepsi will have marketing leverage against competitors leading into the summer months. Mountain Dew could expect to see gratifying sales results from this partnership as hype for the upcoming film progresses.
Below is a list of competing beverage companies. Will the partnership give Pepsi better sales than its rivals?
List sorted by market cap and sourced by Finviz. (Click here to access free, interactive tools to analyze these ideas.)
1. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) distributes and markets nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. With a market cap of $174.92 billion, it most recently closed at $77.47.
2. Pepsico engages in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of foods, snacks, and beverages worldwide. It has a market cap of $104.47 billion and a most recent closing price of $66.80.
3. Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) manufactures and distributes nonalcoholic beverages in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Its market cap is $8.67 billion, with a most recent closing price of $40.95.
Interactive Chart: Press play to compare changes in analyst ratings over the last two years for the stocks mentioned above. Analyst ratings sourced from Zacks Investment Research.
