Tricom Global Restaurants Inc

* Tricon Global Restaurants Inc. said fourth-quarter earnings rose 40% to $122 million, or 78 cents a share. Revenue fell 8.6% to $2.3 billion because Tricon sold more restaurants to its franchisees. Sales at all restaurants, including those owned by franchisees, rose 6.9% to $6.87 billion. Tricon said last week it would beat the 66-cent average estimate of analysts polled by First Call/Thomson Financial.

* Tricon Global Restaurants Inc. said fourth-quarter earnings rose 40% to $122 million, or 78 cents a share. Revenue fell 8.6% to $2.3 billion because Tricon sold more restaurants to its franchisees. Sales at all restaurants, including those owned by franchisees, rose 6.9% to $6.87 billion. Tricon said last week it would beat the 66-cent average estimate of analysts polled by First Call/Thomson Financial.

PepsiCo Inc. shares have risen by 17% since the start of the year, driven by Wall Street predictions that the soft-drink and snack-food giant's first-quarter earnings will beat expectations. PepsiCo shares, $42.56 on Wednesday, were at $36.25 on Dec. 31. Some analysts are predicting that the stock will go as high as $52 in the coming year. Pepsi's stock surge is being driven by strong soft-drink sales and the introduction of new Frito-Lay snacks, such as the no-fat chips made with olestra.

PepsiCo Inc. shares have risen by 17% since the start of the year, driven by Wall Street predictions that the soft-drink and snack-food giant's first-quarter earnings will beat expectations. PepsiCo shares, $42.56 on Wednesday, were at $36.25 on Dec. 31. Some analysts are predicting that the stock will go as high as $52 in the coming year. Pepsi's stock surge is being driven by strong soft-drink sales and the introduction of new Frito-Lay snacks, such as the no-fat chips made with olestra.