Monster surges on energy drink buzz, while Celsius sinks on distribution concerns
Shares of Monster Beverage climbed 5% after the bell on Thursday, and held most of those gains into early trading on Friday, following strong Q3 results.
The energy drink giant topped market expectations, with quarterly sales up 17% year over year to $2.2 billion and adjusted net profits growing 41% to $524.5 million — 11% ahead of Wall Street’s estimates. In the report, Monster highlighted its zero-sugar line and new product launches, with a stack of novel flavors already released this year, as bright spots.
During a call with analysts, Chief Executive Hilton Schlosberg said that the global energy drink category “remains healthy with robust growth,” The Wall Street Journal reported, adding that demand for more affordable caffeinated drinks is rising as coffee has become “really expensive.”
Meanwhile, rival beverage business Celsius saw shares fall as much as 23% on its Q3 results yesterday — despite beating expectations, with revenue jumping 173% — largely due to concerns about a change in the company’s distribution channel, as its newly acquired Alani Nu brand joins the PepsiCo distribution network.
Still, in the energy drink game, no one comes close to Red Bull. Though Monster accrued a massive $7.5 billion worth of sales last year, this still pales in comparison to the €11.2 billion (~$12.9 billion) Red Bull managed in 2024.
After seeing revenue more than double the year prior, Celsius’ sales plateaued in 2024. But it still held up better than the much-hyped, influencer-backed Prime Energy — which erased most of the $1.2 billion sales it notched in 2023, per company filings.
Still, in the energy drink game, no one comes close to Red Bull. Though Monster accrued a massive $7.5 billion worth of sales last year, this still pales in comparison to the €11.2 billion (~$12.9 billion) Red Bull managed in 2024.
After seeing revenue more than double the year prior, Celsius’ sales plateaued in 2024. But it still held up better than the much-hyped, influencer-backed Prime Energy — which erased most of the $1.2 billion sales it notched in 2023, per company filings.
