PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo reported Thursday that its first-quarter profit held flat at $1.13 billion, or 71 cents a share, compared to $1.14 billion, or 71 cents a share in the same period last year.

The company reported adjusted earnings of 69 cents a share, down from 74 cents in the year-ago period. Revenue at the firm increased four percent, to $12.43 billion.

Analysts polled by FactSet Research expected PepsiCo to earn 66 cents a share, on revenue of $12.35 billion.

“Our first quarter results reflect the strength of our brands which allowed us to implement significant pricing actions,” PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi said.

The company confirmed its 2012 outlook and said it expects to return more than $6 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the year.

PepsiCo shares ticked up in pre-market trade after the results.