Companies and Brands

Monster Trips Over the Bottom Line

Monster Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ: MNST) reported its first-quarter financial results after the markets closed Thursday. The company had $0.62 in earnings per share (EPS) on $710.2 million in revenue, compared to Thomson Reuters consensus estimates of $0.68 in EPS on $601.20 million in revenue. The first quarter from the previous year had $0.55 in EPS on $536.13 million in revenue.

The company did not give guidance for the coming quarter or the full year. There are consensus estimates of $0.96 in EPS on $803.06 million in revenue for the second quarter. The full year has consensus estimates of $3.36 in EPS on $2.90 billion in revenue.

Profitability was negatively impacted by $206 million of termination obligations as a result of distributor terminations.

Revenue was positively impacted by $39.8 million of acceleration of deferred revenue associated with the terminated distributors initial buyout contributions.

In August 2014, Monster and Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) entered into definitive agreements for a long-term strategic partnership to accelerate growth for both companies in the global energy drink category. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2015.

ALSO READ: The Least Healthy County in Each State

Rodney C. Sacks, chairman and chief executive officer, said:

We are pleased to report another quarter of sales growth, however the strength of the U.S. dollar somewhat impacted our international revenues. During the quarter, we launched Monster Energy(R) Ultra Citron(TM) and Monster Rehab(R) Peach Tea + Energy, which have been well received by our consumers.

As previously mentioned, The Coca-Cola Company transaction presents a unique opportunity for us. We anticipate that this relationship will provide us with complementary product offerings in many countries as well as access to new geographies, and access to new channels, including vending and specialty accounts. To date we have transitioned approximately 84 percent of our targeted distribution rights in the United States to The Coca-Cola Company and its distribution network, which was accomplished with minimal disruption in the retail trade. We expect to transition an additional 5 percent of the targeted volume during this month.

Shares of Monster closed Thursday up 2.1% at $143.49. After release of the financial results, shares were down 3.8% at $138.00 in after-hours trading. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $148.60 and a 52-week trading range of $63.00 to $144.69.

Cash Back Credit Cards Have Never Been This Good

Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers. A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges. See our top picks for the best credit cards today. You won’t want to miss some of these offers.

 

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.