A Forward Look, The Year Ahead - Research Report on PepsiCo, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Covidien plc, Medtronic, Inc. and Monster Beverage Corp

NEW YORK, March 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Investors Alliance announced new research reports highlighting PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP), The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), Covidien plc (NYSE: COV), Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) and Monster Beverage Corp (NASDAQ:MNST). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

PepsiCo, Inc. Research Report

Beating market estimates for the past year, Pepsi reported a 17% increase in the fourth quarter earnings of $1.66 billion or $1.06 per share, up from the same year-ago quarter earnings of $1.42 billion or 89 cents per share. The company also reported an organic revenue growth of 5% for the same quarter and the full year. With this strong quarter result, Pepsi has announced a new buyback plan of as much as $10 billion in stock to return cash to investors. This new repurchase program will begin in July 1, 2013 and will continue until June 30, 2013. Furthermore, Pepsi also reported an increase of 5.6% in the company's annualized dividend for the June 2013 payment, resulting from $2.15 to a price of $2.27 per share. Pepsi Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi said that the revenue growth reflects the company's "enviable portfolio of iconic brands." Nooyi further noted that the company would continue maintaining its hold in the global market. "Our recent brand-building initiatives and innovation across the portfolio, including Quaker Real Medleys, Gatorade Energy Chews, Pepsi Next and Doritos Locos Tacos, are translating into success in the marketplace... We're encouraged by the progress we're making and expect performance in the coming year to be consistent with our long-term targets." The Full Research Report on PepsiCo, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/e4cd_PEP]

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The Coca-Cola Company Research Report

Meanwhile, Coca Cola's fourth quarter net income was a reported 14% increase or $1.87 billion or 41 cents per share, up from the $1.66 billion of 36 cents per share last year. Despite not meeting the estimates, Coca-Cola projected a strong full-year global volume growth of 4%, while the full-year reported net revenue growth is 3%. The company also posted remarkable growths in its various global markets such as Thailand (+22%), India (+16%) and Russia (+8%) for the full year. Coke Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Muhtar Kent said, "We are pleased with our results we announced today. In a year marked by continued uncertainty in the global economy, we delivered solid volume, revenue and profit growth, and we realized further volume and value share gains in nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages." For the coming year, Kent recognizes the necessity of adapting to the shifts in the global economy. "We must continue investing in our business so that we get even better -better at collaborating, at innovating, at listening to consumers, customers and our bottling partners and most importantly, at executing with precision. All of us at Coca-Cola remain diligent about our results as we manage our business for continued sustainable long-term success," he added. The Full Research Report on The Coca-Cola Company - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/ed8f_KO]

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Covidien plc Research Report

Irish healthcare company Covidien PLC recently reported first quarter net sales of $3.06 billion, with a 5% growth compared to the same year-ago quarter net sales. Adjusted diluted earnings amounted to $1.10 per share. In the same vein, the Medical Devices segment of the company posted a remarkable sales growth of 8%. "We're off to a very good start in fiscal 2013, with first-quarter results exceeding our expectations," said Covidien Chairman, President and CEO José E. Almeida. The Market Devices unit of the company is expected to perform well and generate "above-market growth." The company has recently received the FDA approval for its generic CONCERTA® extended-release (ER) tablets, a prescription medication to stimulate the central nervous system. Covidien has also released the results of its studies validating the efficacy of its Solitaire™ FR Thrombectomy for Acute Revascularization (STAR) device. Solitaire FR is designed to aid patients of acute ischemic stroke by restoring blood flow and removing blood clots from the vessels. With over 800, 000 patients affected by acute ischemic stroke every year, Covidien aims to attend to the need of a solution for this widespread public health issue. "We remain confident that our robust pipeline of new products, sizable expansion opportunities in emerging markets and recent promising portfolio additions will enable us to meet the significant challenges of the global marketplace and to continue to deliver good operational growth," Almeida said at the conclusion of the quarterly report. The Full Research Report on Covidien plc - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/447a_COV]

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Medtronic, Inc. Research Report

US medical technology company Medtronic Inc.  posted a 4% revenue growth to $4 billion or 93 cents per share. International sales accounted for 46% of the company's revenue during the said quarter, for a total of $1.856 billion. Omar Ishrak, Medtronic Chairman and CEO also conveyed positive outlook brought about by the company's strong open for 2013 and the latest financial quarter. The company last week reported the result of a clinical study by The New England Journal of Medicine on the benefits of Medtronic's deep brain simulation therapy for Parkinson's disease patients. With an estimated 60,000 American diagnosed with Parkinson's disease every year, Covidien says that the study's result gives way to an expansion of beneficial medical management available for patients, as exemplified through the deep brain simulation. Medtronic also received the FDA clearance for its AIRvance™ Bone Screw System that is designed to allow surgeons to perform hyoid suspension procedure in treating obstructive sleep apnea. Through aggressive research and development outputs such as AIRvance, Medtronic is among the leaders in "transforming global healthcare by implementing our long-term strategies of economic value and globalization." Ishrak further said that the company remains "committed to delivering dependable growth in a changing healthcare environment as reflected in our third quarter performance. Several businesses and regions contributed to our steady growth this quarter, and we are focused on effectively managing headwinds and tailwinds to deliver balanced and consistent overall performance." The Full Research Medtronic, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/b91b_MDT]

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Monster Beverage Corp Research Report

As the maker of the Monster Energy®, one of the questioned energy drinks products, Monster released a statement contesting the agency report and calling it "highly misleading." The company explained that the DAWN report contains little to no information about the association between the hospital emergencies reported and the consumption of energy drinks. Monster also noted that Monster Energy drinks contain even less caffeine than regular coffeehouse-brewed coffee and that about 8 billion cans of the energy drinks have been sold and "safely consumed" in the U.S. and around the world. Currently having a bullish impression in the community, Monster is set out to roll more new products this year, along with expansion in the Asian and Central American  market. Addressing its adrenaline-pumped market, Monster continuously implements its brand recognition formula by sponsoring extreme sports events, rock concerts and tours, and affiliations with athletes and personalities. The Full Research Report on Monster Beverage Corp - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/31c1_MNST]

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SOURCE Investors-Alliance