MNST

US consumer staple companies likely faced another "tricky" quarter, with earnings growth seen impact

Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Monster Beverage (MNST), which belongs to the Zacks Beverages - Soft drinks industry, could be a great candidate to consider. This energy drink maker has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 6.76%. For the most recent quarter, Monster Beverage was expected to post earnings of $0.53 per share, but it reported $0.58 per share instead, representing a surprise of 9.43%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $0.49 per share, while it actually produced $0.51 per share, a surprise of 4.08%. For Monster Beverage, estimates have been trending higher, thanks in part to this earnings surprise history. And when you look at the stock's positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction), it's a great indicator of a future earnings beat, especially when combined with its solid Zacks Rank. Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Monster Beverage has an Earnings ESP of +0.45% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner. Investors should note, however, that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss, but a negative value does reduce the predictive power of this metric. Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be...

PepsiCo management spent its latest earnings call defending its big bet on North American growth, and the answers revealed exactly where the strategy is under pressure. After significantly underperforming the market over the last year, PepsiCo (PEP) stock is facing a critical test. The company has spent heavily on an “affordability” strategy to reignite volume growth in its core North American market, but the latest results were softer than hoped. On its latest call, analysts repeatedly circled one central question: is the expensive playbook failing, and is a painful “earnings reset” required to fix it? The most pointed challenge was the simplest: if the affordability push is working, why was volume in the key North America Foods (PFNA) division flat this quarter? This gets to the heart of the investment case, questioning the return on a very deliberate strategic shift. Management’s response was to immediately zoom out from North America to the global picture. The CEO highlighted that global volumes grew 3% in foods and 2% in beverages, calling it the “fastest growth in volume since 2022.” In the U.S., the defense was that the strategy successfully got the entire salty snacks category back to volume growth, and that PepsiCo is now gaining volume share. That is a meaningful achievement, but it reframes the goal. The answer was less specific on why PepsiCo’s own volumes didn’t pop, attributing the softness to an American consumer who is in worse shape “than what we had anticipated,” largely due to high gas prices. With the payback on spending looking weak, the next logical fear is that the company might need to spend even more, forcing an “earnings reset.” One analyst put that question to management directly, voicing the market’s biggest concern. A reset would imply the current plan is not only underperforming but is also underfunded, threatening future profits. The CEO’s answer was an unambiguous rejection of the idea. “We don't think we need any sort of reset,” he stated, anchoring the denial in a single claim: “record productivity in the first half of the year.” The company believes it can fund its growth initiatives by taking costs out of the business, not by lowering its earnings guidance. Management reaffirmed its full-year guidance, signaling confidence that it can navigate the consumer weakness without sacrificing the bottom line. Management’s story is...

Let’s dig into the relative performance of Monster (NASDAQ:MNST) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q1 beverages, alcohol, and tobacco earnings season. These companies' performance is influenced by brand strength, marketing strategies, and shifts in consumer preferences. Changing consumption patterns are particularly relevant and can be seen in the rise of cannabis, craft beer, and vaping or the steady decline of soda and cigarettes. Companies that spend on innovation to meet consumers where they are with regards to trends can reap huge demand benefits while those who ignore trends can see stagnant volumes. Finally, with the advent of the social media, the cost of starting a brand from scratch is much lower, meaning that new entrants can chip away at the market shares of established players. The 13 beverages, alcohol, and tobacco stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 4.9% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 3% below. In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 4.5% on average since the latest earnings results. Founded in 2002 as a natural soda and juice company, Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST) is a pioneer of the energy drink category, and its Monster Energy brand targets a young, active demographic. Monster reported revenues of $2.35 billion, up 26.9% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 9.3%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates. Hilton H. Schlosberg, Chief Executive Officer, said, “The global energy drink category continues to demonstrate solid growth, driven by increased consumer demand. We delivered a strong start to the year, with net sales increasing 26.9 percent, operating income increasing 28.1 percent and net income per diluted share increasing 27.6 percent for the 2026 first quarter. Net sales crossed the $2.0 billion threshold for the first time in the Company’s history for a fiscal first quarter. Interestingly, the stock is up 20.4% since reporting and currently trades at $91.44. Read why we think that Monster is one of the best beverages, alcohol, and tobacco stocks, our full report is free. Founded in 2004 followed by a 2021 IPO, The Vita Coco Company (NASDAQ:COCO) offers coconut water products that are a natural way to quench thirst. Vita Co...

Celsius Holdings, Inc. CELH posted headline growth in the first quarter of 2026, but the story is no longer just about one brand. The company is now operating a broader U.S. ready-to-drink energy platform with CELSIUS, Alani Nu and Rockstar.That shift changes how investors should read both growth and profitability. It also puts more weight on execution across a multi-brand portfolio. Celsius reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of $782.6 million, up 138% year over year. The scale jump reflects a much larger portfolio after the 2025 additions of Alani Nu and Rockstar in the United States and Canada.For investors, that matters because the growth rate is now heavily influenced by mix. Consolidated results capture a combination of acquired revenue, integration progress, and the trajectory of the legacy CELSIUS brand. Reading the quarter requires separating “bigger” from “better,” especially as the company works through resets and post-deal execution. Celsius now operates three distinct U.S. energy brands with different consumer targets, price points and occasions. That breadth can diversify demand and increase relevance with retailers that want coverage across multiple segments.The expanded platform also runs through PepsiCo, Inc. PEP in the United States and Canada. Under amended distribution agreements and a “captaincy” arrangement, PepsiCo coordinates sales, placement and promotional priorities across the portfolio. The coordination can improve shelf access and in-store execution, but it also raises the standard for operational discipline because three brands need to win simultaneously.Mix cuts both ways. Alani Nu and Rockstar broaden reach, yet they also bring different margin profiles and cost structures that can muddy near-term comparisons versus the legacy CELSIUS business. Celsius exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $549.2 million as of March 31, 2026, up from $398.9 million at year-end 2025. That liquidity gives management room to invest behind distribution gains, innovation, and integration, while still returning capital.During the quarter, Celsius repurchased about 700,000 shares for $24.1 million at a weighted average price of $35.39 per share. The company had $236.1 million remaining under its $300 million repurchase authorization at quarter-end, and buybacks continued into the second quarter.In practical terms, the program signals a...

Monster Beverage Corporation recently reported its best-ever quarter, with Q1 2026 net sales rising to US$2.35 billion on the back of especially strong international growth, and it also authorized a fresh US$500 million share repurchase on top of about US$400 million remaining from a prior program. Together with ongoing benefits from its Coca-Cola distribution partnership and an asset-light business model, these moves highlight Monster’s focus on expanding globally while returning substantial cash to shareholders. We’ll now examine how Monster’s record quarterly performance and expanded share repurchase authorization influence the company’s broader investment narrative. We've uncovered the 9 dividend fortresses yielding 5%+ that don't just survive market storms, but thrive in them. To own Monster Beverage today, you really have to believe its brand, global distribution tie-up with Coca-Cola and asset-light model can keep translating into healthy sales and profit growth, even as the company leans harder into overseas markets. The record Q1 2026 results and nearly US$900 million of buyback firepower reinforce that story and help explain the strong share price performance, but they also leave less room for disappointment when expectations are this high. Mark Hall’s planned board exit in August 2026 looks more like governance housekeeping than a thesis-changing event, so it probably does not alter the key near term catalysts: continued international expansion, margin resilience and the pace of repurchases. The bigger swing factors remain competition, pricing power and whether investors keep accepting a rich earnings multiple. Yet one key risk could matter more than the latest record quarter suggests. Monster Beverage's shares are on the way up, but they could be overextended by 12%. Uncover the fair value now. Five Simply Wall St Community fair value views span roughly US$62 to US$89 per share, with one at the top of that range. Set those against Monster’s premium earnings multiple and the execution risks around rapid international growth, and you can quickly see why different investors might reach very different conclusions and why it can pay to consider several viewpoints. Explore 5 other fair value estimates on Monster Beverage - why the stock might be worth as much as $89.46! Don't just follow the ticker - dig into the data and build a conviction that's trul...

Monster Beverage (MNST) just earned another vote of confidence from Wall Street, and the reasoning behind it tells investors more than the new price tag does. Morgan Stanley lifted its target on the energy drink giant and kept its bullish rating in place. The size of the increase is small. The argument supporting it is the part worth reading. The bank's view is simple. Monster's profits held up through a record first quarter, and its margins look set to start expanding again in 2027 after a soft 2026. Morgan Stanley analyst Dara Mohsenian raised the firm's price target on Monster Beverage (MNST) to $103 from $100 and reiterated an overweight rating, according to TipRanks. Overweight is Wall Street's shorthand for a stock the analyst expects to beat the average return of the companies the team covers. More Beverage Stocks: Warren Buffett earns a 20% yield-on-cost with Coca-Cola stock Morgan Stanley resets Coca-Cola stock price target after earnings How much to invest in Coca-Cola stock for $1,000 in annual dividends The move followed Monster's first-quarter 2026 results, reported on May 7, when net sales rose 26.9% to $2.35 billion and topped $2 billion for the first time in a fiscal first quarter. International demand did the heavy lifting, climbing 44.9% to about 45% of the total, a company record. It was also the second bump in a month, after Morgan Stanley moved to $100 from $96 in early May, Yahoo Finance reported, with RBC and other firms raising targets after the print. Net sales up 26.9% to $2.35 billion, a fiscal first-quarter record International net sales up 44.9%, about 45% of the total Operating income up 28.1% to $730 million Diluted earnings per share up 27.6% to $0.58 Source: Monster Beverage first-quarter 2026 results Monster's gross margin, the share of sales left after production costs, slipped to 55% from 56.5% a year earlier, according to its earnings call transcript on Investing.com. Most of that reflected geography rather than weakening fundamentals. International markets carry lower margins than the U.S., so when overseas sales grow faster, they pull the reported margin down even as they add profit dollars. Related: Morgan Stanley resets Microsoft stock price target Morgan Stanley estimated that stripping out this mix shift left underlying margins roughly flat to slightly higher. The bank also flagged a quieter positive. Monster's expo...

The stock market rose to fresh highs Thursday on a reported interim U.S.-Iran deal. Dell soared overnight on earnings.

The excitement of investing in a company that can reverse its fortunes is a big draw for some speculators, so even companies that have no revenue, no profit, and a record of falling short, can manage to find investors. Unfortunately, these high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up. If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST). Even if this company is fairly valued by the market, investors would agree that generating consistent profits will continue to provide Monster Beverage with the means to add long-term value to shareholders. Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit. Generally, companies experiencing growth in earnings per share (EPS) should see similar trends in share price. Therefore, there are plenty of investors who like to buy shares in companies that are growing EPS. Impressively, Monster Beverage has grown EPS by 19% per year, compound, in the last three years. If the company can sustain that sort of growth, we'd expect shareholders to come away satisfied. One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. Monster Beverage shareholders can take confidence from the fact that EBIT margins are up from 28% to 31%, and revenue is growing. Both of which are great metrics to check off for potential growth. You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart. Check out our latest analysis for Monster Beverage In investing, as in life, the future matters more than the past. So why not check out this free interactive visualization of Monster Beverage's forecast profits? Owing to the size of Monster Beverage, we wouldn't expect insiders to hold a significant proportion of the company. But thanks to their investment in the company, it's pleasing to see that there are still incentives to align their actions with the shareholders. Indeed, they have a considerable amount of wealth invested in...

Monster delivered strong first quarter results, outperforming Wall Street’s expectations on both revenue and non-GAAP earnings metrics. The company’s double-digit sales growth was driven by robust performance in all geographic regions, with management highlighting new product innovations and expanded distribution as key contributors. CEO Hilton Schlosberg credited the launch of offerings such as Monster Ultra Punk Punch, Juice Monster Voodoo Grape, and a strengthened Zero Sugar portfolio for fueling demand, while also pointing to increased household penetration of energy drinks worldwide. Is now the time to buy MNST? Find out in our full research report (it’s free). Revenue: $2.35 billion vs analyst estimates of $2.15 billion (26.9% year-on-year growth, 9.3% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.57 vs analyst estimates of $0.53 (8.3% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $758.4 million vs analyst estimates of $682.6 million (32.2% margin, 11.1% beat) Operating Margin: 30.8%, in line with the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $84.04 billion While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention. Christopher Carey (Wells Fargo Securities) asked about managing input cost inflation, specifically aluminum and freight, and the likelihood of further price increases. CEO Hilton Schlosberg explained that modest aluminum headwinds affected margins, but recent pricing actions and ongoing evaluation of market dynamics could support additional pricing if needed. Dara Mohsenian (Morgan Stanley) questioned the performance of recent innovations and the future product pipeline. Schlosberg and Americas CEO Rob Gehring highlighted the success of staggered innovation launches and their impact on core brand strength, with upcoming launches set to address new consumer segments. Michael Lavery (Piper Sandler) inquired about international category trends and share gains. Schlosberg emphasized that international growth is driven by increased household penetration, mainstream acceptance, and affordable value offerings, mirroring trends seen in the U.S. Bonnie Herzog (Goldman Sachs) sought clarification on out-of-orbit production due to demand spikes. Schlosberg confi...

Make better investment decisions with Simply Wall St's easy, visual tools that give you a competitive edge. Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) is expanding further into energy drinks with new flavors and products that aim to offer lower sugar and functional benefits. The company is using premium offerings and partnerships, including its tie up with Monster Beverage, to reach consumers looking for alternatives to traditional soft drinks. This push highlights Coca-Cola’s focus on the fast changing energy and functional beverage category as competition and consumer interest continue to build. Coca-Cola’s energy drink push comes as the stock trades at $80.03, with the share price up 2.0% over the past week and 15.8% year to date. Over longer periods, the stock is up 19.4% over 1 year, 38.4% over 3 years, and 70.9% over 5 years. These figures may frame how you think about the company’s appetite for new product categories. For investors following NYSE:KO, the key question is how this energy and functional drink focus could influence the mix of future revenue and earnings quality. The outcome will likely depend on how well these new offerings resonate with health conscious consumers and how effectively Coca-Cola and Monster Beverage execute within an already crowded shelf space. Stay updated on the most important news stories for Coca-Cola by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Coca-Cola. We've flagged 2 risks for Coca-Cola. See which could impact your investment. Coca-Cola’s push into energy and functional drinks sits at the intersection of several forces that matter for long-term holders. On one side, health-focused trends, the growth of GLP-1 drugs and pressure on traditional “junk food” categories are forcing large beverage companies to rethink where future demand comes from. On the other side, competitors like PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper are also building out their own energy and performance portfolios. Coca-Cola’s response is to lean on its distribution scale, premium offerings and the Monster Beverage partnership to capture consumers who want lower-sugar, functional products rather than classic sodas. For you, the key issue is not whether a single launch succeeds, but whether energy and functional drinks can become a meaningful, higher-quality slice of the portfolio without diluting returns on capi...

A week ago, Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) came out with a strong set of first-quarter numbers that could potentially lead to a re-rate of the stock. It was overall a positive result, with revenues beating expectations by 8.8% to hit US$2.4b. Monster Beverage reported statutory earnings per share (EPS) US$0.58, which was a notable 10% above what the analysts had forecast. Following the result, the analysts have updated their earnings model, and it would be good to know whether they think there's been a strong change in the company's prospects, or if it's business as usual. We thought readers would find it interesting to see the analysts latest (statutory) post-earnings forecasts for next year. We've found 21 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. After the latest results, the 23 analysts covering Monster Beverage are now predicting revenues of US$9.49b in 2026. If met, this would reflect a satisfactory 7.9% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are predicted to rise 9.4% to US$2.27. In the lead-up to this report, the analysts had been modelling revenues of US$9.22b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$2.24 in 2026. So it looks like there's been no major change in sentiment following the latest results, although the analysts have made a small lift in to revenue forecasts. Check out our latest analysis for Monster Beverage It may not be a surprise to see thatthe analysts have reconfirmed their price target of US$88.25, implying that the uplift in revenue is not expected to greatly contribute to Monster Beverage's valuation in the near term. The consensus price target is just an average of individual analyst targets, so - it could be handy to see how wide the range of underlying estimates is. Currently, the most bullish analyst values Monster Beverage at US$102 per share, while the most bearish prices it at US$64.00. Analysts definitely have varying views on the business, but the spread of estimates is not wide enough in our view to suggest that extreme outcomes could await Monster Beverage shareholders. These estimates are interesting, but it can be useful to paint some more broad strokes when seeing how forecasts compare, both to the Monster Beverage's past performance and to peers in the same industry. We can infer from the latest estimates...