Rumor has it that Tiger Woods has started to brush up on his game a bit and some of golf's greats believe that he will be playing in the Masters. If, and when, he returns, Tiger will be a little lighter in the sponsorship arena, what with AT&T (T), Accenture (ACN), and PepsiCo's (PEP) Gatorade all having ended their sponsorship deals with Tiger.

Fear not though, Tiger is making enough money that he can actually turn down sponsors. Reportedly, an Irish bookie -- Paddy Power (awesome name) -- has made a $75 million offer to sponsor Tiger over the next five years.

Continue reading JockStocks: Tiger Has a New Sponsorship Offer, Should He Accept?

JockStocks: Tiger Has a New Sponsorship Offer, Should He Accept? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pepsico Inc.'s (PEP) shares have pulled back recently, after shooting through $60 resistance. But I'm nevertheless reiterating my buy rating for the company's shares, first recommended on March 13, 2009, at a price of $48.62. Here's why:

Pepsi's strong presence in international markets remains the key. True, North American revenue growth will be low-single-digits in 2010, after the recession's flattish 2009, but investors should remain focused on the long-term and large pictures. Namely, Pepsi emerging market growth opportunities (it has a presence in more than 200 countries) and its rebrand in health and sports drinks.

Continue reading Pepsi: Pull-Back Is Buy Opportunity

Pepsi: Pull-Back Is Buy Opportunity originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So, it isn't bad enough that Tiger Woods ruined his marriage and soiled his squeaky-clean reputation. Apparently he cost his corporate sponsors $12 billion in stock value as well. According to a study conducted by UC Davis economics professors Victor Stango and Christopher Knittel, Tiger lost his sponsors a "collective $5 to $12 billion." This loss outpaces "several decades' worth of Tiger Woods' personal endorsement income."

The study examined the stock market returns during the 13 trading days after Tiger's car crash, a period concluding a week after Tiger's announcement of an indefinite leave of absent. The two economics professors then compared the returns for Tiger's sponsors during this 13-day period to those of the total stock market and each of the companies' closest competitor. Returns for the four years prior to the car accident were also taken into account in order to establish the stocks' historic performance.

Continue reading Study: Tiger Woods Scandal Cost His Sponsors up to $12 Billion

Study: Tiger Woods Scandal Cost His Sponsors up to $12 Billion originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I really thought that last week was the last time I was going to address Tiger Woods ... I guess I was wrong. Reports are surfacing (in UK's The Sun) that Elin has told Tiger that he needs to quit golf. Well, well, well, if (and that is a big if) this is true, we may find out exactly how much of a family man Tiger is.

The coverage that this whole mess has received is more than Michael Jackson, and it doesn't look like it is going to stop any time soon. Of course, the fact that Tiger couldn't keep the driver in the bag is the reason that the whole situation has gone to H-E-double hockey sticks in a handbasket; so he has to live with the consequences. He wants privacy, but that just ain't going to happen Tiger, especially not during the Internet age.

Continue reading JockStocks: Will Tiger quit golf?

JockStocks: Will Tiger quit golf? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Gatorade discontinues Tiger Woods line

Gatorade discontinues Tiger Woods line originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Tiger Woods drama has ballooned since I last looked at the situation. Of course, I focused a tad more on the situation for Tiger's sponsors. I want to continue that look, but I want to look at why Tiger's sponsors will stand by him, why we are so fascinated by the situation, and the difference between Tiger and Michael Phelps (a.k.a. Aquaman).

First things first, this will not impact Tiger's relationship with any of his sponsors. No matter what you think happened or why the situation happened, Tiger was cited for a traffic violation and will pay the fine with money out of his change jar. Was his act immoral? Yes. Was the act inexcusable? Yes. Is the act something he will be reminded of publicly (and privately) on a near daily basis? Yes. Should his sponsors jump ship and run? No.

Continue reading JockStocks: Tiger will be okay ... trust me

JockStocks: Tiger will be okay ... trust me originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Pepsi remains the choice of a new generation

Pepsi remains the choice of a new generation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The war between Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) is becoming as fierce as the fight between the two monsters in the classic Japanese flick War of the Gargantuas (don't tell me you don't remember that one!).

This time, the conflict is over the duo's respective sports drinks. According to Bloomberg, PepsiCo believes that Coke has been promoting its Powerade beverage by issuing false claims against PepsiCo's Gatorade.

Continue reading PepsiCo and Coca-Cola in litigation over sports drinks -- Gatorade vs. Powerade

PepsiCo and Coca-Cola in litigation over sports drinks -- Gatorade vs. Powerade originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tiger Woods has been a staple on money lists for over a decade now, so I doubt anyone is unaware of the magnitude of his income. This past year, though, has been a great one even by his standards.

He had an outstanding year on the golf course, with seven tour victories, including a PGA championship and the overall Tour Championship. Along the way, he led the tour with winnings of over $10 million.

This was only the beginning of his cash flow, though. Endorsement money well exceeded his on-course winnings. In addition to his standing affiliations with Nike (NYSE: NKE), General Motors (NYSE: GM) and others, Procter & Gamble's (NYSE: PG) Gillette signed him to a new deal for $10-20 million as part of its "Gillette Champions" campaign. In the fall, PepsiCo's (NYSE: PEP) Gatorade agreed to pay him up to $100 million to license a Tiger Woods brand of sports drink, due out next spring. He also moved forward on his newest venture, golf course design, announcing plans for his first U.S. design, The Cliffs at High Carolina.

Tiger continues to dominate his sport and keep his image positive. Young, vastly talented, and a shrewd businessman, in 2007 he not only drove the green, he raked it in, too.

Be sure to check out more Money Winners of 2007.

Money Winners of 2007: Tiger Woods rakes in the green originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pepsi (PEP) beats Wall Street expectations originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PepsiCo's (NYSE: PEP) Gatorade brand has been struggling (WSJ subscription required) of late with competition from alternatives including Coca Cola's (NYSE: KO) Vitamin Water, a lower calorie, perhaps more-nutritious beverage. With the added pressure of aggressive pricing from Powerade, sales of Gatorade were down 2% in the last quarter, a sharp drop from the 29% increase in the prior year's quarter.

While PepsiCo expects Gatorade to rebound somewhat, its best days are probably behind it. People are realizing they just don't need that many calories in a drink, and Vitamin Water tastes just as good anyway.

The future of the Gatorade brand may very well rest squarely on the shoulders of G2, the company's soon-to-be launched lower-calorie alternative sports drink. Given the strength of the Gatorade brand, I like the company's chances with G2, and Coke may need to start worrying.

Can PepsiCo's (PEP) Gatorade rebound? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PepsiCo (PEP) bets on G2, a low-calorie Gatorade originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here's a good idea: PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) will be introducing a new, lower-calorie, lower-sugar version of Gatorade for people who aren't breaking a sweat while they drink: office athletes. The announcement comes as the growth of Gatorade sales has been slowing, perhaps as a result of the rising popularity of Vitamin Water, owned by rival Coca Cola (NYSE: KO). .

I wonder what would happen if Gatorade put vitamins in this new Gatorade in an effort to take on Vitamin Water. The strength of the Gatorade brand might give it a shot. While Vitamin Water is the leader in its market, I think it may be too new to have an unassailable competitive advantage.

If Pepsi can put together something to compete with it, Coke's $4 billion acquisition might not look so smart in retrospect.

PepsiCo plans a lower-calorie Gatorade originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Coca-Cola having issues with Wal-Mart requests

Coca-Cola having issues with Wal-Mart requests originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Jun 2006 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.