Monster Beverage (MNST) Tops Q4 EPS by 13c

Monster Beverage (NASDAQ: MNST) reported Q4 EPS of $0.72, $0.13 better than the analyst estimate of $0.59. Revenue for the quarter came in at $696.3 million versus the consensus estimate of $584.56 million.

Long-Term Strategic Partnership with The Coca-Cola Company

In August 2014, Monster Beverage and The Coca-Cola Company entered into definitive agreements for a long-term strategic partnership to accelerate growth for both companies in the global energy drink category. Under the agreements, The Coca-Cola Company will acquire an approximate 16.7 percent ownership interest in Monster (post issuance) and will transfer ownership of its worldwide energy business to Monster, which, in turn, will transfer its non-energy business to The Coca-Cola Company. Monster and The Coca-Cola Company will amend their current distribution coordination agreements to expand distribution with Coca-Cola bottlers into additional territories. Upon closing, The Coca-Cola Company will become Monster's preferred distribution partner globally, and Monster will become The Coca-Cola Company's exclusive energy play. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2015.

Rodney C. Sacks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are pleased to report another quarter and year of continuing sales growth, in both our domestic and international markets. In particular, we continued to achieve solid sales growth in Japan, which is becoming one of our largest international markets. In addition to launching Monster Energy® Unleaded, as well as Monster Energy® Ultra Sunrise™ in the United States during the second half of 2014, we are currently launching Monster Energy® Ultra Citron™ and Monster Rehab® Peach Tea + Energy. We believe that these products will play an important part in our business plan in 2015.

"The Coca-Cola transaction continues to present a unique opportunity for us. Our Company will be bolstered by The Coca-Cola Company's energy brands in a number of geographies, providing us with complementary product offerings in many countries, access to new geographies, as well as access to new channels, including vending and specialty accounts. We are making good progress in working through transitional issues and anticipate that the transaction will close during the second quarter of 2015," Sacks added.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Monster Beverage (MNST) click here.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Safe & Green (SGBX) Provides Update on Audit and Planned 10-K Filing
• Procter & Gamble (PG) revenue falls short of expectations, raises full-year earnings guidance
• Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) PT Raised to $435 at Piper Sandler