PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., made a $420 million contribution to its...

PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., made a $420 million contribution to its $2.5 billion pension plan, according to Richard Detwiler, spokesman. Mr. Detwiler said the contribution was made because the firm had accumulated extra cash as a result of its merger with Quaker. In a third-quarter earnings conference call last week, Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo CFO, said the contribution was an effective use of cash, considering the lower interest rates and lower equity prices.