- Stock Market Today, May 8: Ambev Gained 13% This Week on Strong Earnings
May 8, 2026
Ambev(NYSE:ABEV), a Latin American beverage producer, edged up 0.30% on Friday to finish at $3.29, extending the week’s gains. It reported better-than-expected earnings early in the week, and investors are watching how beer demand and an expanded product range can shape its earnings power.
Trading volume reached 72.4 million shares, coming in 193% above its three-month average of 24.7 million shares. Ambev IPO'd in 1997 and has grown 631% since going public.
How the markets moved today
The S&P 500(SNPINDEX:^GSPC) advanced 0.76% to finish Friday at 7,393, while the Nasdaq Composite(NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) gained 1.71% to close at 26,247. Among beverage and beer industry peers, Anheuser-Busch InBev(NYSE:BUD) closed up 1.03% at $79.89, while Diageo(NYSE:DEO) gained 1.04% to end at $84.30 as investors assessed recent volume trends.
What this means for investors
Ambev soared by more than 13% this week after strong quarterly results on Tuesday beat expectations. Growth in beer revenues from Central America and the Caribbean offset weaker figures from Brazil and South America. Its no-alcohol beers are also gaining traction in Brazil, which could help it meet changing consumer habits.
The upcoming World Cup will drive further demand and give Ambev an opportunity to build on its Q1 momentum. Following the results, Barclays reiterated its “Hold” rating on the stock, but increased its price target from $2.50 to $3.50.
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Stock Market Today, May 8: Ambev Gained 13% This Week on Strong Earnings was originally published by The Motley Fool
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- Stock Market Today, May 8: Ambev Gained 13% This Week on Strong Earnings
May 8, 2026 · fool.com
Expand NYSE: ABEV Ambev Today's Change (0.30%) $0.01 Current Price $3.29 Key Data Points Market Cap $51B Day's Range $3.26 - $3.35 52wk Range $2.10 - $3.45 Volume 74M Avg Vol 25M Gross Margin 47.97% Dividend Yield 4.43% Ambev (ABEV +0.30%), a Latin American beverage producer, edged up 0.30% on Friday to finish at $3.29, extending the week's gains. It reported better-than-expected earnings early in the week, and investors are watching how beer demand and an expanded product range can shape its earnings power.
- Post Holdings Q2 Earnings Surpass Estimates, Sales Increase Y/Y
May 8, 2026
Post Holdings, Inc. POST delivered second-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with both the top and bottom lines showing year-over-year growth. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while the bottom line surpassed.
POST’s Q2 Key Performance Metrics
POST’s adjusted earnings per share increased 37.6% to $1.94 from $1.41 in the prior-year period and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.64.
Post Holdings, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS SurprisePost Holdings, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Post Holdings, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Post Holdings, Inc. Quote
Net sales increased 4.7% year over year to $2,042.9 million from $1,952.1 million in the prior-year period. The increase included a contribution of $152.3 million in net sales from acquisitions during the current-year period. The figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,062 million.
Post Holdings’ Margin & Cost Performance
Gross profit increased 13.2% year over year to $617.6 million from $545.8 million in the prior-year period. Gross margin also expanded to 30.2% from 28% in the prior-year period.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 3.6% year over year to $326.2 million. However, SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales improved slightly to 16% from 16.1%, reflecting relatively stable expense leverage during the quarter.
Operating profit climbed 16.3% year over year to $211.9 million from $182.2 million in the prior-year period. Fiscal second-quarter operating profit included a $28.3 million loss on amounts held for sale related to Crystal Farms Dairy Company, which was treated as an adjustment for non-GAAP measures.
Post Holdings’ Segmental Performance
Post Consumer Brands’ net sales increased 5.8% year over year to $1,044.9 million. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $1,059 million. Net sales included a $145 million contribution from 8th Avenue. Excluding 8th Avenue, volumes declined 10%, reflecting a 14.1% decline in pet food volumes and a 3.5% decline in cereal and granola volumes. Segment adjusted EBITDA declined 1.8% to $200.2 million, while beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $192 million.
Foodservice segment net sales increased 3.2% year over year to $627.4 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $633 million. Net sales of Foodservice included a $6.5 million contribution from PPI. Excluding PPI, volumes increased 6.7%, driven by improved customer service levels and higher production in protein-based shakes. Segment adjusted EBITDA increased 47.9% to $142 million, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $135 million.
Story Continues
Net sales in the Refrigerated Retail segment increased 4.8% year over year to $235.3 million, supported by a 5.6% increase in volumes. This beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $229 million. Growth was primarily driven by higher side-dish product volumes following the introduction of private-label offerings and the shift of Easter demand into the quarter. Segment adjusted EBITDA rose 17.6% to $40.8 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $43 million.
Weetabix net sales increased 3.3% year over year to $136.1 million, supported by a foreign currency exchange rate tailwind of approximately 680 basis points. The figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $141 million. Volumes declined 2.6%, primarily due to product discontinuations and weakness in private-label products, partially offset by growth in protein-based shakes. Segment adjusted EBITDA rose 6.6% to $32.3 million, but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $34 million.
Post Capital Allocation & Financial Position.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Post Holdings repurchased 3.3 million shares for $331 million at an average price of $99.85 per share. During the first six months of fiscal 2026, the company repurchased 7 million shares for $709.9 million at an average price of $100.76. Following the quarter through May 5, 2026, POST repurchased an additional 1.1 million shares for $111.9 million. Management also approved a new $600 million share repurchase authorization effective May 9, 2026.
The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $269.4 million and long-term debt of $7,629.1 million.
What to Expect From Post Holdings in the Future?
Post Holdings maintained its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance range of $1,550 million to $1,580 million while incorporating new cost pressures and uncertainty related to the conflict in the Middle East.
The company expects adjusted EBITDA performance in the remaining two quarters to slightly favor the fourth quarter, driven by seasonality within PCB cereal. Foodservice results are expected to align with the previously indicated $500 million annual run rate.
The company also maintained its full-year capital expenditure projection of $350 million to $390 million, with lower spending anticipated in the second half of the fiscal year.
This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company’s shares have gained 4% in the year-to-date period against the industry’s decline of 1.8%.Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other Stocks to Consider
Some ohter top-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
The Chef’s Warehouse, Inc. CHEF distributes specialty food and center-of-the-plate products in the United States, the Middle East, and Canada. CHEF currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CHEF’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 8.3 and 24.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 28.9%, on average.
Darling Ingredients Inc. DAR develops, produces, and sells sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients in North America, Europe, China, South America, and internationally. DAR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DAR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 7.1% and 567.7%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 16.1%, on average.
Ambev S.A. ABEV engages in the production, distribution, and sale of beer, draft beer, soft drinks, malt and food, and other beverages. ABEV currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ABEV’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 17.4% and 11.1%, respectively.
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Post Holdings, Inc. (POST) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Ambev S.A. (ABEV) : Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
Zacks Investment Research
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- ABEV vs. SAM: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?
May 7, 2026
Investors interested in stocks from the Beverages - Alcohol sector have probably already heard of Ambev (ABEV) and Boston Beer (SAM). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.
The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits.
Currently, Ambev has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Boston Beer has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell). Investors should feel comfortable knowing that ABEV likely has seen a stronger improvement to its earnings outlook than SAM has recently. But this is just one piece of the puzzle for value investors.
Value investors analyze a variety of traditional, tried-and-true metrics to help find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.
The Value category of the Style Scores system identifies undervalued companies by looking at a number of key metrics. These include the long-favored P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that help us determine a company's fair value.
ABEV currently has a forward P/E ratio of 17.59, while SAM has a forward P/E of 21.11. We also note that ABEV has a PEG ratio of 2.40. This popular figure is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also considers a company's expected EPS growth rate. SAM currently has a PEG ratio of 2.66.
Another notable valuation metric for ABEV is its P/B ratio of 3.13. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, SAM has a P/B of 3.16.
These metrics, and several others, help ABEV earn a Value grade of B, while SAM has been given a Value grade of C.
ABEV has seen stronger estimate revision activity and sports more attractive valuation metrics than SAM, so it seems like value investors will conclude that ABEV is the superior option right now.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Ambev S.A. (ABEV) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (SAM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
Zacks Investment Research
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- ABEV vs. SAM: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?
May 7, 2026 · zacks.com
Investors interested in stocks from the Beverages - Alcohol sector have probably already heard of Ambev (ABEV) and Boston Beer (SAM). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now?
- Ambev May Be Overestimated And Overvalued In 2026
May 6, 2026 · seekingalpha.com
Ambev is rated a 'Hold' due to valuation concerns and parent company risks, despite recent share price outperformance. ABEV trades near 19x P/E, reflecting optimism on premiumization and market dominance, but lacks volume growth and faces margin pressure. Parent AB InBev's control introduces risks of cash extraction, fee hikes, and limited autonomy, especially given AB InBev's high debt load.
- Ambev: The Rally Makes Sense, But The Easy Money Is Gone
May 6, 2026 · seekingalpha.com
Ambev S.A. has sharply rebounded on improved Brazilian macro, BRL strength, and renewed EM equity appetite, supported by strong FY25 and 1Q26 results. ABEV outperformed the declining Brazilian beer industry in Q1, with Brazil Beer volumes up 1.2% and premium segment growth exceeding 20%. Cash flow generation reached a decade-high in Q1, enabling robust shareholder returns with a 5–6% yield, well above minimum payout requirements.
- Ambev SA (ABEV) Climbs to 5-Year High on Strong Q1
May 6, 2026
Ambev SA (NYSE:ABEV) is one of the 10 Stocks Turning Heads With Double-Digit Gains.
Ambev soared to a nearly five-year high on Tuesday, as investors cheered its strong earnings performance in the first quarter of the year.
At intra-day trading, the stock climbed to a record high of $3.42 before trimming gains to end the session just up by 16.21 percent at $3.37 apiece.Ambev
Ambev SA brands. Photo by Marcelo Chagas on Pexels
In an updated report on the same day, Ambev SA (NYSE:ABEV) said that it was able to grow its net income attributable to shareholders in the first three months of the year by 2 percent to R$3.768 billion from R$3.693 billion in the same period last year, despite revenues ending flat at R$22.46 billion.
In a statement, Ambev SA (NYSE:ABEV) Chief Executive Officer Carlos Lisboa said that the company made a solid start to 2026, “with consistent execution of our growth strategy driving positive beer volumes, double-digit Normalized EBITDA growth and margin expansion.”
Consolidated beer volumes grew by low single digits, supported by the continued strengthening of its brands, mega platform activations, and disciplined commercial execution, which helped grow market share across several markets.
Headquartered in Brazil, Ambev SA (NYSE:ABEV) is one of the largest brewery companies in the Southern Hemisphere, which also manufactures soft drinks, energy drinks, juices, teas, and mineral water, among others.
While we acknowledge the potential of ABEV as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy.
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- Ambev Q1 Earnings Call Highlights
May 5, 2026
Ambev logo
Key Points
Ambev reported a “solid start” to 2026 with total volumes broadly flat and beer volumes back to low-single-digit growth, net revenue up high-single-digits, and normalized EBITDA rising 10.1% with 60 basis points of margin expansion. In Brazil the company gained market share despite industry softness, driven by a mix shift toward premium and no‑alcohol products (premium volumes +20%+, Corona Cero +70%+), helping Brazil beer NR/hl rise 8.3% from carryover, revenue management and mix. Ambev generated stronger operating cash flow (BRL 3.2bn), is continuing buybacks and new interest‑on‑capital payments, but faces cost pressure (Brazil beer cash COGS/hl +14.6%) with guidance for a 4.5–7.5% COGS increase in 2026, and expects World Cup and expanded digital channels (BEES, Zé Delivery) to support demand. Interested in Ambev S.A.? Here are five stocks we like better.
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Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) executives pointed to a “solid start” to 2026, highlighting a return to beer volume growth, high single-digit net revenue expansion, and double-digit normalized EBITDA growth despite continued cost headwinds. Speaking on the company’s first-quarter earnings call, CEO Carlos Lisboa said the quarter showed how the company’s strategy is strengthening across its footprint, while CFO Guilherme Fleury emphasized cash generation and disciplined capital allocation, including continued shareholder returns.
Quarterly performance: flat total volumes, beer back to growth
Lisboa said total volumes were “broadly flat against the toughest comparison base of the year,” while beer volumes returned to growth, up low single-digit. He added that net revenue grew high single-digit, supported by net revenue per hectoliter (NR/hl) growth.
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“Even with continued cost pressure, we delivered double digits, EBITDA growth with margin expansion of 60 basis points, while net income grew by a low single digit,” Lisboa said, also pointing to “solid operational cash flow generation” and “continued discipline in returning cash to shareholders.”
Fleury provided the financial details, reporting normalized EBITDA of BRL 7.6 billion, with 60 basis points of margin expansion. He said normalized EBITDA grew 10.1%, while normalized net income rose 0.3% to BRL 3.8 billion, translating to normalized EPS of BRL 0.24, up 0.5% year over year. Net financial expenses totaled BRL 1 billion, around BRL 200 million higher than the prior year, “mainly driven by higher carry costs on derivative instruments,” he said.
Story Continues
Brazil beer: industry softness, but Ambev cites share gains and mix shift
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In Brazil, Lisboa said the beer industry declined mid-single digit year over year in the quarter, though it improved sequentially versus the fourth quarter of 2025. He attributed the industry softness primarily to cyclical factors affecting consumption occasions, particularly weather, rather than structural demand issues.
Within that backdrop, Lisboa said Ambev’s Brazil beer volumes grew 1.2% and the company entered 2026 “from a stronger commercial position,” supported by continued market share progression. He said premium volumes rose more than 20%, led by Stella Artois, Corona, and Original. Balanced choices grew over 70%, with Stella Pure Gold and Michelob ULTRA more than doubling. No-alcohol beer grew low teens, with Corona Cero up more than 70% and Skol Zero Zero gaining traction, reaching double digits of the no-alcohol segment mix by quarter-end, according to Lisboa.
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He also said the company’s “core plus value” portfolio declined low single digit but performed ahead of the total industry decline and gained market share versus last year, based on the company’s estimates. Beyond Beer grew “in the 20s,” led by Beats, Brutal Fruit, and Flying Fish, which Lisboa described as the newest member of the portfolio.
Ambev’s Brazil beer NR/hl increased 8.3% in the quarter. Responding to analyst questions, Lisboa attributed the NR/hl performance to three components:
Carryover from the company’s 2025 revenue management agenda, which he described as an “easier comp” given limited carryover from 2024 into 2025. Revenue management actions implemented into 2026. Mix, as above-core continued to grow, contributing to NR/hl.
Lisboa said the company aims to keep pricing “broadly in line with inflation over time” while capturing positive mix. On the tax front, he added there was “nothing that was important to highlight during the quarter.”
On digital and route-to-market, Lisboa said BEES Marketplace had about 75% of Ambev’s customer base buying through the platform, helping gross merchandise value (GMV) double, supported by continued third-party expansion. He said Zé Delivery represented a mid-single-digit share of Brazil beer volumes, with GMV up high single digit in the quarter, including 16 million orders delivered to 5 million monthly active users.
Other business units: Brazil NAB margin expansion; mixed volume trends abroad
In Brazil non-alcoholic beverages (NAB), Lisboa said volumes declined 3.9% amid a tough comparison base and less favorable prior-year pricing relativity, though he noted relativity and market share improved sequentially. He said the company’s non-sugar portfolio grew mid-teens, led by Guaraná Zero, Pepsi Black, and H2OH!. Despite the volume decline, Lisboa said disciplined execution supported P&L performance, with top-line growth of 1.8% and EBITDA up 16.4%, alongside 400 basis points of margin expansion.
In Argentina, Lisboa said the macro environment stabilized versus a year ago, with lower inflation and less FX volatility, but that improvement had not yet translated into a “meaningful recovery in consumption.” He said the beer industry remained soft and Ambev volumes declined low single digit, though sell-out market share rose year over year, supported by “mega brands equity.” Above-core grew high single digit, led by Stella Artois and Michelob ULTRA. Lisboa said the company is focused on disciplined revenue management while investing behind brands, adding that Quilmes and Michelob ULTRA will be key consumer connection platforms as the country builds momentum toward the FIFA World Cup.
In the Dominican Republic, Lisboa said total volumes grew high single digit amid an improving consumption environment and healthier category dynamics. Market share remained stable, and Presidente brand health reached all-time highs, he said.
In Canada, Lisboa said the beer industry fell mid-single digit, pressured by a weak consumer backdrop and unfavorable weather. Ambev maintained stable share in beer and gained share in beyond beer, he said. Despite a 2% volume decline, Lisboa reported EBITDA grew 6.7% with 160 basis points of margin expansion.
Costs, cash flow, and shareholder returns
Fleury said consolidated cash COGS per hectoliter (excluding marketplace) increased 9% in the quarter, with Brazil beer up 14.6%, reflecting FX and commodities pressure that he expects to “gradually ease starting in the second quarter.” Consolidated cash SG&A rose 4.8%, with efficiencies “mainly from distribution expenses” driven by operational leverage in Brazil beer. Consolidated sales and marketing grew 5.1%, and Fleury noted spending tends to follow the company’s mega platform events calendar, which this year includes the FIFA World Cup in the second quarter.
Cash flow from operating activities totaled BRL 3.2 billion, up BRL 2 billion year over year, driven primarily by improved working capital dynamics, including packaging raw material inventory management and improved payables, Fleury said. Cash used in investing activities totaled BRL 2.4 billion, reflecting, among other factors, a BRL 2 billion impact from the deconsolidation of assets previously reported as restricted cash in CAC, he added.
On capital returns, Fleury said the company continues executing its ongoing share buyback program announced in October. He also said the board approved the payment of BRL 1.2 billion related to the second tranche of interest on capital (IOC) declared in December 2025, and a new IOC declaration of BRL 700 million to be paid by December 2026.
Fleury said Ambev maintained its guidance for Brazil beer cash COGS per hectoliter (excluding marketplace) to increase 4.5% to 7.5% in 2026 and reiterated the company’s ambition to expand consolidated margin over time.
Outlook: “year of socialization” and World Cup tailwinds
Lisboa said 2026 is “shaping up to be the year of socialization,” citing an occasion-driven calendar that includes Carnival and the FIFA World Cup. He said the World Cup historically contributes about 0.3 to 0.4 percentage points to annual industry growth, with the impact typically concentrated in the second and third quarters.
He added that the company’s portfolio breadth and digital platforms are expected to play a larger role in activations than in prior cycles. Fleury said the company’s digital ecosystem is more developed versus previous World Cups, pointing to consumer engagement through Zé Delivery and customer engagement through BEES.
Closing the call, Lisboa reiterated confidence in beer as a “loved and versatile category” with room to grow and said the company’s three strategic pillars—portfolio/category leadership, digital ecosystem development, and financial discipline—are intended to operate as a reinforcing flywheel.
About Ambev (NYSE:ABEV)
Ambev (NYSE: ABEV) is a Brazilian-based beverage company that produces, distributes and markets a broad portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The company's core business centers on brewing and selling beer, alongside a range of soft drinks, bottled water, energy drinks and other malt-based beverages. Headquartered in São Paulo, Ambev operates an integrated value chain that covers manufacturing, packaging, logistics and commercial sales to retail, on-premise and institutional customers.
The company traces its origins to the 1999 merger of two historic Brazilian breweries, and later became part of the broader global brewing group through subsequent industry consolidations.
The article "Ambev Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
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- Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Rise Late Afternoon
May 5, 2026
Consumer stocks rose late Tuesday afternoon with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPD
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