PEPSICO Inc, the world's second-largest soft-drink maker, said first-quarter profit rose 4.7 percent on international snack and food sales.

Net income grew to US$1.15 billion, or 70 cents a share, from US$1.1 billion, or 65 cents, a year earlier, New York-based PepsiCo said yesterday in a statement distributed by PR Newswire.

Sales jumped 13 percent to US$8.33 billion. PepsiCo reaffirmed its per-share earnings forecast of US$3.72 for 2008.

Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi has expanded PepsiCo's reach outside the United States, where soda sales are declining and rising costs for potatoes, corn and other commodities used for snacks have led to price increases in a competitive market.

Sales outside the United States made up 44 percent of revenue in 2007, up from 41 percent the previous year.

"North America industry trends have slowed over the last several months," Bill Pecoriello, an analyst at Morgan Stanley, said in an April 13 research note. "International sales continue to be the growth driver."

The average per-share profit estimate of 13 analysts in a Bloomberg News survey was 70 cents.

PepsiCo shares rose 9 cents to US$69.19 on Wednesday in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.

The stock has tumbled 8.8 percent this year while Coca-Cola Co, the world's largest soft-drink maker, has declined 1.7 percent.