- MNST Q1 Deep Dive: Broad-Based Growth Driven by Innovation and International Expansion
May 12, 2026
Energy drink company Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST) reported revenue ahead of Wall Street’s expectations in Q1 CY2026, with sales up 26.9% year on year to $2.35 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.57 per share was 8.3% above analysts’ consensus estimates.
Is now the time to buy MNST? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).
Monster (MNST) Q1 CY2026 Highlights:
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: $74.29 billion
StockStory’s Take
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.
Looking forward, Monster’s management emphasized a continued focus on innovation and international market penetration to sustain growth. Schlosberg indicated that ongoing product development—including the rollout of new brands like FLRT and Storm—will address evolving consumer preferences and expand usage occasions. While management acknowledged modest cost pressures from tariffs and aluminum prices, they remain confident in their ability to offset these with pricing actions and operational efficiency. As Schlosberg stated, “We believe our portfolio of existing, recently launched and planned energy drink offerings is well positioned to participate in the growing global energy drink category.”
Key Insights from Management’s Remarks
Management attributed first quarter outperformance to a combination of new product launches, strong international execution, and resilient core brands, while also highlighting targeted pricing actions to address cost pressures.
Innovation pipeline delivers: New product introductions, including Monster Ultra Punk Punch, Juice Monster Voodoo Grape, and the nationwide launch of Lando Norris Zero Sugar, expanded consumer reach and supported category growth. Management stressed that innovation not only drives incremental sales but also strengthens the core brand. International expansion accelerates: Sales outside the U.S. rose sharply, with EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Latin America all posting double-digit growth. EMEA saw Monster grow at more than twice the rate of the broader energy drink category, aided by trade marketing, cooler placements, and new affordable brands targeting emerging markets. Multipacks and club channel growth: The company identified strong gains from multipack formats, especially larger-sized packs in the club channel, which contributed to higher household consumption rates and supported both volume and revenue growth. Pricing actions offset costs: While modest increases in aluminum and freight costs weighed on gross margins, management noted that pricing initiatives implemented in late 2025 helped sustain profitability. Monitoring of tariff and material cost trends remains a priority, with management signaling a willingness to take further pricing measures if needed. Focus on underpenetrated segments: Strategic initiatives targeted the female energy category with the launch of FLRT and a relaunch of the wellness-oriented Storm brand, along with renewed marketing efforts for underperforming brands such as Bang and NOS.
Story Continues
Drivers of Future Performance
Monster’s outlook is driven by ongoing innovation, international market penetration, and disciplined pricing strategy, amid modest cost headwinds from tariffs and input prices.
Sustained innovation rollout: Management sees a steady cadence of new product launches—such as FLRT, Storm, and seasonal limited editions—expanding the addressable market and creating new consumption occasions. Success in innovation is expected to reinforce the core brand and maintain category momentum. Geographic diversification: The company anticipates continued outperformance in international regions, particularly EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, where both category growth and market share gains have been robust. Affordable offerings like Predator and Fury are positioned to unlock further demand in emerging markets. Mitigating input cost pressures: While management expects ongoing modest increases in aluminum and freight costs—driven by tariffs and supply chain dynamics—they plan to leverage pricing power and operational efficiencies. The company’s ability to balance these factors will be key to protecting margins.
Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters
In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will be tracking (1) the pace and consumer adoption of Monster’s newest product launches like FLRT and Storm, (2) the company’s ability to maintain or grow market share in international regions, particularly EMEA and Asia Pacific, and (3) how effectively Monster manages gross margin amid ongoing input cost pressures. Continued execution on strategic marketing partnerships and innovation will also serve as important indicators of future performance.
Monster currently trades at $87.22, up from $76.26 just before the earnings. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).
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- Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) Beat Earnings, And Analysts Have Been Reviewing Their Forecasts
May 12, 2026
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.NasdaqGS:MNST Earnings and Revenue Growth May 12th 2026
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 that forecasts expect a continuation of Monster Beverage'shistorical trends, as the 11% annualised revenue growth to the end of 2026 is roughly in line with the 10% annual growth over the past five years. Compare this with the broader industry, which analyst estimates (in aggregate) suggest will see revenues grow 4.2% annually. So although Monster Beverage is expected to maintain its revenue growth rate, it's definitely expected to grow faster than the wider industry.
Story Continues
The Bottom Line
The most obvious conclusion is that there's been no major change in the business' prospects in recent times, with the analysts holding their earnings forecasts steady, in line with previous estimates. Pleasantly, they also upgraded their revenue estimates, and their forecasts suggest the business is expected to grow faster than the wider industry. There was no real change to the consensus price target, suggesting that the intrinsic value of the business has not undergone any major changes with the latest estimates.
With that in mind, we wouldn't be too quick to come to a conclusion on Monster Beverage. Long-term earnings power is much more important than next year's profits. We have estimates - from multiple Monster Beverage analysts - going out to 2028, and you can see them free on our platform here.
Another thing to consider is whether management and directors have been buying or selling stock recently. We provide an overview of all open market stock trades for the last twelve months on our platform, here.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content?Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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- Monster Beverage (MNST) Releases Q1 2026 Financial Results
May 12, 2026
Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) is one of the Best Stocks Under $100 to Invest In Now. On May 7, the company released its Q1 2026 financial results, and net sales rose 26.9% to $2.35 billion compared to $1.85 billion in the same period of the last year. Notably, there was a favorable impact of $89.3 million on the net sales because of the net changes in foreign currency exchange rates.Monster Beverage (MNST) Releases Q1 2026 Financial Results
Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST)’s gross margin was 55.0% in Q1 2026 as compared to 56.5% in Q1 2025. The fall was mainly because of geographical sales mix, higher aluminum can costs, and elevated freight-in costs, partially mitigated by the pricing actions.
The global energy drink category has been demonstrating strong growth because of higher consumer demand. Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) remains focused on the growth of its existing core offerings and the continued rollout of product innovations. Its operating income for Q1 2026 rose 28.1% to $730.0 million from $569.7 million in Q1 2025.
While we acknowledge the potential of MNST 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: 10 Best FMCG Stocks to Invest In According to Analysts and 11 Best Long-Term Tech Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.
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- Coca-Cola's Energy Drink Expansion: Growth Catalyst Ahead?
May 12, 2026
The Coca-Cola Company KO appears to be strengthening its position in the fast-growing energy drinks market through constant innovation, distribution scale and strategic partnerships aimed at capturing rising global demand for energy beverages. Accordingly, KO’s energy strategy mainly revolves around premium and functional beverages, focused on products with added benefits.
The company continues to expand its presence by significant innovations across energy brands, new flavor launches and healthier product offerings tailored to evolving consumer preferences. Coca-Cola is also leveraging its partnership with Monster Beverage MNST to strengthen its foothold in the global energy drinks space while using its vast distribution network to accelerate market penetration across both the developed and emerging regions.
Coca-Cola is becoming increasingly customer-centric by leveraging its four I’s, including insights, innovation, intimacy and integrated execution, to better connect with evolving consumer preferences. The company highlighted that consumers are increasingly seeking functional and premium beverages tailored to specific occasions, including products with energy, hydration and low- or zero-sugar benefits.
In a bid to capture the higher drinking occasions, the company has relaunched Coca-Cola Zero Zero, having zero sugar, zero caffeine and zero calories with a refreshed visual identity, expanded availability and targeted activations. Coca-Cola Zero Zero had a robust trial, positive repeat rates and contributed to the trademark Coca-Cola growing volumes. The company has been benefiting from sturdy partnerships and category expansion opportunities.
The growing beverage innovation, including crafted beverage offerings and flavored beverage platforms, is creating incremental consumption occasions. In addition, the company continues to pursue balanced growth through a combination of affordability initiatives, disciplined pricing and continuous product innovation. Coca-Cola’s broader strategy around premiumization, digital engagement and consumer-centric execution could support sustained momentum in energy and functional beverages, positioning it for long-term growth.
KO’s Peers
PepsiCo, Inc. PEP is aggressively expanding its presence in the energy drinks market through innovation, strategic partnerships and portfolio diversification. PEP is seeing growth in Pepsi Zero Sugar and certain flavored varieties, continued momentum in functional hydration with Gatorade Zero Sugar and Gatorlyte, and distribution progress for energy through the Alani Nu partnership. PepsiCo’s energy strategy focuses heavily on zero-sugar offerings, functional ingredients and lifestyle-oriented branding aimed at fitness enthusiasts and convenience-channel shoppers.
Monster Beverage drives volumes through product innovation and portfolio expansion, launching new flavors and zero-sugar options. MNST continues to uphold its value leadership in the global energy drinks category, supported by sustained brand equity, strategic innovation and disciplined pricing. Monster Beverage’s balanced approach to product mix and promotional investments has helped it defend market share and deliver consistent growth, even amid the competitive and inflationary pressures.
Story Continues
KO’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Shares of Coca-Cola have gained 10.6% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 12%.Zacks Investment Research
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From a valuation standpoint, KO trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 23.54X compared with the industry’s average of 19.07X.Zacks Investment Research
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KO’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) implies year-over-year growth of 8.7% and 6.9%, respectively. The estimates for the aforesaid years have moved north in the past 30 days.Zacks Investment Research
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Coca-Cola stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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CocaCola Company (The) (KO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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- Monster Beverage (MNST) International Revenue Performance Explored
May 12, 2026
Have you evaluated the performance of Monster Beverage's (MNST) international operations for the quarter ending March 2026? Given the extensive global presence of this energy drink maker, analyzing the patterns in international revenues is crucial for understanding its financial strength and potential for growth.
The global economy today is deeply interlinked, making a company's engagement with international markets a critical factor in determining its financial success and growth path. It has become essential for investors to comprehend how much a company relies on these foreign markets, as this understanding reveals the firm's potential for consistent earnings, its capacity to harness different economic cycles, and its overall growth prospects.
Presence in international markets can act as a hedge against domestic economic downturns and provide access to faster-growing economies. However, this diversification also brings complexities due to currency fluctuations, geopolitical risks and differing market dynamics.
Upon examining MNST's recent quarterly performance, we noticed several interesting patterns in the revenue generated from its international segments, which are commonly analyzed and observed by Wall Street experts.
The company's total revenue for the quarter amounted to $2.35 billion, marking an increase of 26.9% from the year-ago quarter. We will next turn our attention to dissecting MNST's international revenue to get a clearer picture of how significant its operations are outside its main base.
Unveiling Trends in MNST's International Revenues
EMEA generated $586.22 million in revenues for the company in the last quarter, constituting 24.9% of the total. This represented a surprise of +21.95% compared to the $480.72 million projected by Wall Street analysts. Comparatively, in the previous quarter, EMEA accounted for $472.16 million (22.2%), and in the year-ago quarter, it contributed $384.58 million (20.7%) to the total revenue.
During the quarter, Asia Pacific contributed $201.89 million in revenue, making up 8.6% of the total revenue. When compared to the consensus estimate of $180.65 million, this meant a surprise of +11.76%. Looking back, Asia Pacific contributed $147.83 million, or 6.9%, in the previous quarter, and $144.52 million, or 7.8%, in the same quarter of the previous year.
Of the total revenue, $218.52 million came from Latin America and Caribbean during the last fiscal quarter, accounting for 9.3%. This represented a surprise of +14.19% as analysts had expected the region to contribute $191.37 million to the total revenue. In comparison, the region contributed $212.78 million, or 10%, and $160.82 million, or 8.7%, to total revenue in the previous and year-ago quarters, respectively.
Story Continues
Revenue Forecasts for the International Markets
Wall Street analysts expect Monster Beverage to report $2.37 billion in total revenue for the current fiscal quarter, indicating an increase of 12.5% from the year-ago quarter. EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean are expected to contribute 24.1% (translating to $572.95 million), 7.7% ($182.71 million), and 7.8% ($184.81 million) to the total revenue, respectively.
Analysts expect the company to report a total annual revenue of $9.33 billion for the full year, marking an increase of 12.5% compared to last year. The expected revenue contributions from EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean are projected to be 23.5% ($2.19 billion), 7.9% ($735.9 million) and 9% ($836.21 million) of the total revenue, in that order.
The Bottom Line
The dependency of Monster Beverage on global markets for its revenues presents a mix of potential gains and hazards. Thus, monitoring the trends in its overseas revenues can be a key indicator for predicting the firm's future performance.
In a world where international interdependencies and geopolitical conflicts are ever-increasing, Wall Street analysts closely monitor these trends for companies having international presence to adjust their earnings forecasts. Of course, there are several other factors, including a company's standing within its home borders, that influence analysts' earnings forecasts.
We at Zacks strongly focus on the dynamic earnings forecast of companies, given that empirical studies have demonstrated its potent impact on the immediate price movement of stocks. Invariably, there's a positive relationship -- upward earnings predictions often result in an increase in stock prices.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool - the Zacks Rank - harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions and serves as an effective indicator of a stock's near-term price performance.
At the moment, Monster Beverage has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), signifying that its performance may align with the overall market trend in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Exploring Recent Trends in Stock Price
Over the past month, the stock has seen an increase of 15% in its value, whereas the Zacks S&P 500 composite has posted an increase of 8.8%. The Zacks Consumer Staples sector, Monster Beverage's industry group, has ascended 1.2% over the identical span. In the past three months, there's been an increase of 6.1% in the company's stock price, against a rise of 7.1% in the S&P 500 index. The broader sector has declined by 6.4% during this interval.
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- Monster Beverage (MNST) International Revenue Performance Explored
May 12, 2026 · zacks.com
Examine Monster Beverage's (MNST) international revenue patterns and their implications on Wall Street's forecasts and the prospective trajectory of the stock.
- Is MNST Overvalued? DCF Says Worth $44
May 12, 2026 · gurufocus.com
On May 12, 2026, we delve into the DCF analysis for Monster Beverage Corp (MNST), a company that has shown impressive price performance over the past year. The
- Will PepsiCo Foods North America Drive a 2026 Turnaround?
May 11, 2026
PepsiCo, Inc. PEP is making strategic moves to position its PepsiCo Foods North America (PFNA) segment as a key driver of a turnaround in 2026, supported by improving volume trends, deep consumer engagement, accelerating innovation and disciplined productivity initiatives. The company has taken several strategic steps, including lowering snack prices, simplifying operations, reducing product complexity and introducing healthier snack innovations to revive consumer demand and improve volumes.
Encouragingly, the company’s PFNA segment posted a clearer volume signal in first-quarter 2026, with 2% organic volume growth and 1% organic revenue growth as affordability investments and innovation reached the market. Management highlighted volume growth in large snack brands, broader distribution of products positioned around simpler ingredient cues and continued build-out of its permissible portfolio, including Siete and certain better-for-you snack lines.
The company highlighted that it is refreshing and restaging additional brands, including Tostitos and Quaker, with updated visuals and simpler ingredients where applicable. This combination of pricing architecture, brand activity and portfolio mix supports management’s view that PFNA performance can improve through 2026. Our model predicts revenues for the PFNA segment to improve 2% year over year in the second quarter and 2.2% in 2026.
Hence, the company’s efforts have started showing encouraging signs, with snack volumes returning to growth after a prolonged slowdown. In addition, restructuring initiatives and supply-chain optimization are expected to support operational efficiency and long-term profitability. In a nutshell, PEP’s PFNA has the potential to drive a meaningful turnaround in 2026, provided it successfully balances affordability, innovation and margin discipline.
PEP’s Peers: How are They Doing?
The Coca-Cola Company KO operates a highly diversified global non-alcoholic beverage portfolio across carbonated soft drinks, hydration, energy, juices, dairy, coffee, tea and functional beverages. KO’s strategy centers on brand-led growth, premiumization, zero-sugar innovation and expansion in faster-growing categories. Coca-Cola is prioritizing strong innovations, focused on transformative product development, expanded portfolios and robust consumer engagement.
Monster Beverage Corporation MNST continues to benefit from constant growth in the global energy drink market, backed by strong demand across convenience stores and other key retail channels. MNST continues to innovate with new flavors and health-oriented products while optimizing its supply chain and implementing strategic pricing actions. Monster Beverage continues to benefit from the expansion of the energy drinks market and product launches, reinforcing its category strength.
Story Continues
PEP’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Shares of PepsiCo have gained 7.1% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 11.6%.Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, PEP trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.53X compared with the industry’s average of 19.07X.Zacks Investment Research
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PEP’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) implies a year-over-year rise of 6% and 6.2%, respectively. The estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved north in the past 30 days.Zacks Investment Research
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PepsiCo stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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CocaCola Company (The) (KO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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- Beat the Market the Zacks Way: Nabors Industries, MYR Group, Alphabet in Focus
May 11, 2026
The U.S. stock market navigated a volatile week with overall strong momentum as investors balanced geopolitical risks, economic data and upbeat corporate earnings. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite hit record highs, gaining 4.70% and 2.75%, respectively, for the week, marking their sixth consecutive weekly advance, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average also followed the major indexes with a 1.36% increase. Markets swung throughout the week as tensions in the Middle East initially pushed oil prices above $106 per barrel before easing ceasefire hopes and U.S.-Iran negotiations pulled crude back below $95. However, benchmark indexes rebounded as ceasefire hopes grew and tech earnings fueled AI momentum.
Consumer sentiment dropped to 48.2 in May, the weakest since June 2022. However, economic indicators signaled resilience despite cooling consumer sentiment. The U.S. economy added 115,000 jobs in April, far above expectations of 48,000, while unemployment held steady at 4.3%. Wage growth remained moderate, with average hourly earnings rising 0.2% monthly and 3.6% annually. Overall, the economy showed steady growth, supported by hiring, spending, and corporate earnings, despite lingering geopolitical uncertainty.
Regardless of market conditions, we, here at Zacks, provide investors with unbiased guidance on how to beat the market.
As usual, Zacks Research guided investors over the past three months with its time-tested methodologies. Given the prevailing market uncertainty, you may want to look at our feats to prepare better for your next action.
Here are some of our key achievements:
Nabors Industries and Nordic American Tankers Following Zacks Rank Upgrade
Shares of Nabors Industries Ltd. NBR have gained 25% (versus the S&P 500’s 6.4% increase) since it was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) on February 26.
Another stock, Nordic American Tankers Limited NAT, which was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 on February 27, has returned 9.6% (versus the S&P 500’s 7% increase) since then.
Zacks Rank, our short-term rating system, has earnings estimate revisions at its core. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
An equal-weight portfolio of Zacks Rank # 1 stocks outperformed the equal-weight S&P 500 index by 7.7 percentage points in the year-to-date 2026 period (through March 3, 2026); The Zacks Rank #1 stocks returned +6.57% through March 3, while the equal-weight S&P 500 index lost -1.14% of its value.
In 2025, this hypothetical equal-weight portfolio returned +17.81% vs. +10.85% for the index, while performance comparison was +22.4% vs. +13.7% in 2024. Over the preceding 10-year period (2016 through 2025), this portfolio of qual-weight Zacks Rank #1 stocks outperformed the equal-weight S&P 500 index by more than 7 percentage points (+18.55% vs. +11.65%).
Story Continues
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here >>>
Check Nabors Industries’ historical EPS and Sales here>>>
Check Nordic American Tankers’ historical EPS and Sales here>>>Zacks Investment Research
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Zacks Recommendation Upgrades MYR and BrightSpring Health Services
Shares of MYR Group Inc. MYRG and BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. BTSG have advanced 60% and 31.9% (versus the S&P 500’s 7.5% increase), respectively, since their Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform on March 3.
While the Zacks Rank is our short-term rating system that is most effective over the one- to three-month holding horizon, the Zacks Recommendation aims to predict performance over the next 6 to 12 months. However, just like the Zacks Rank, the foundation for the Zacks Recommendation is trends in earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Recommendation classifies stocks into three groups — Outperform, Neutral and Underperform. While these recommendations are determined quantitatively, our analysts have the flexibility to override them for the 1100+ stocks they closely follow based on their better judgment of factors such as valuation, industry conditions and management effectiveness than the quantitative model.
Zacks Focus List Stocks Virtu Financial, Alphabet Shoot Up
Shares of Virtu Financial, Inc. VIRT, which belongs to the Zacks Focus List, have gained 35.3% over the past 12 weeks. The stock was added to the FocusList on July 31, 2023. Another Focus-List holding, Alphabet Inc. GOOGL, which was added to the portfolio on May 19, 2025, has returned 28.9% over the past 12 weeks. The S&P 500 has advanced 6.6% over this period.
The 50-stock Focus List portfolio returned +6.65% in 2026 (through February 28) vs. +0.68% for the S&P 500 index and +7.06% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The portfolio returned +22.1% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned +18.41% in 2024 vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. The portfolio had returned +29.54% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +13.61% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. In 2022, the portfolio returned -15.2% vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
Through February 28, 2026, the portfolio’s rolling returns on a one-year, three-year, five-year, 10-year basis, and since 2004 have been +29.35% (vs. +17% for the S&P 500 index), +23.13% (vs. +21.81%), +14.15% (vs. +14.19%), +16.79% (vs. +15.50%) and +12.38% vs. (+10.66%), respectively.
Unlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Focus List, Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. Gain full access now >>
Zacks ECAP Stocks FactSet Research Systems and Monster Beverage Make Significant Gains
FactSet Research Systems Inc. FDS, a component of our Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), has jumped 15.4% over the past 12 weeks. Monster Beverage Corporation MNST has followed FactSet Research Systems with 6.8% returns.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), which consists of 30 concentrated, ultra-defensive, long-term Buy-and-Hold stocks, returned -2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2025 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +2.7% gain (SPY ETF). For 2025 as a whole, the portfolio returned -1.67% vs. +17.9% gain for the S&P 500 index.
For the year 2024, the portfolio returned +16.26% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index (SPY ETF). In 2023, the portfolio returned +12.17% vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index. The portfolio returned -4.7% in 2022 vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
With little to no turnover and annual rebalance periodicity, ECAP seeks to minimize capital loss by holding shares of companies whose earnings streams exhibit a proven 20+ year track record of surviving recessionary periods with minimal impact on aggregate earnings growth relative to the overall S&P 500.
The ECAP and many other model portfolios are available as part of Zacks Advisor Tools, a cloud-based solution to access Zacks award-winning stock, mutual fund and ETF research. Click here to schedule a demo.
Zacks ECDP Stocks Starbucks and Intercontinental Exchange Outperform Peers
Starbucks Corporation SBUX, which is part of our Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP), has returned 5.9% over the past 12 weeks. Another ECDP stock, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. ICE, has also climbed 2.5% over the same time frame. Of course, the inclination of investors toward quality dividend stocks to secure an income stream amid heightened market volatility contributed to this performance.
Check Starbucks' dividend history here>>>
Check Intercontinental Exchange‘s dividend history here>>>
With an extremely low beta and a history of minimum earnings variability over the last 20+ years, this 25-stock portfolio helps to significantly mitigate risk.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) returned -2.1% in 2025 Q4 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +2.7% gain and the Dividend Aristocrats ETF’s (NOBL) +1.6% return. For 2025, the portfolio returned -0.6% vs. +6.8% gain for the Dividend Aristocrat ETF.
For the full year of 2024, the portfolio returned +6.95% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index and +6.72% for NOBL.
The portfolio returned -0.9% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +8.11% for NOBL. The portfolio returned -2.3% in 2022 vs. -17.96% for the S&P 500 index and -8.34% for NOBL.
Click here to access this portfolio on Zacks Advisor Tools.
Zacks Top 10 Stock Amkor Technology Delivers Solid Returns
Amkor Technology, Inc. AMKR, from the Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2026, has jumped 78.5% since the list was released on January 5, 2026, compared with the S&P 500 index’s 8% increase during this period.
The Top 10 portfolio retuned +10.5% in 2026 (through February 28) vs. +0.5% for the S&P 500 index and +6.3% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +22.6% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +62.98% in 2024, vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio had returned +25.15% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index.
Through the end of February 2026, the Top 10 portfolio has produced a cumulative return of +2,761.6% since 2012 vs. +564.8% for the S&P 500 index and +435% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio has produced an average annual return of +26.4% in the period 2012 through February 28, 2026, vs. +13% for the S&P 500 index and +11% for the equal-weight version of the index.
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
Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Nabors Industries Ltd. (NBR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) : Free Stock Analysis Report
MYR Group, Inc. (MYRG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Amkor Technology, Inc. (AMKR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Nordic American Tankers Limited (NAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL): ETF Research Reports
BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. (BTSG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
Zacks Investment Research
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- Monster Beverage (MNST) Is Up 11.9% After Record Q1 Results And Ongoing Buybacks - What's Changed
May 11, 2026
In early May 2026, Monster Beverage Corporation reported first-quarter 2026 results with net sales of US$2.35 billion and net income of US$569.49 million, both higher than a year earlier, alongside basic and diluted earnings per share of US$0.58. The company also completed a share repurchase of 1,353,991 shares for US$101.08 million, while international sales growth and energy drink demand drove record first-quarter revenues. We’ll now examine how Monster’s record international-driven quarter and ongoing buybacks affect the previously discussed investment narrative and risk balance.
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Monster Beverage Investment Narrative Recap
To own Monster, you need to believe its global energy drink engine, especially outside the US, can keep compounding while margins hold up despite rising costs. The latest quarter’s record US$2.35 billion in sales and stronger earnings support that view, but also sharpen the near term tension between rapid international growth as a key catalyst and ongoing input cost and margin pressure as the biggest risk. For now, the news reinforces rather than changes that balance.
The most relevant recent development is Monster’s completion of a roughly US$101.08 million buyback of 1,353,991 shares under its August 2024 authorization. Alongside robust Q1 results, this shows management continuing to return capital while the business scales internationally. For investors focused on catalysts, the combination of strong non US revenue growth and ongoing repurchases can be attractive, but it also heightens the importance of monitoring valuation and how future cost pressures affect per share earnings.
Yet beneath the strong quarter, the growing risk around margin pressure from international mix and rising input costs is something investors should be aware of...
Read the full narrative on Monster Beverage (it's free!)
Monster Beverage's narrative projects $10.9 billion revenue and $2.7 billion earnings by 2029. This requires 9.4% yearly revenue growth and about a $0.8 billion earnings increase from $1.9 billion today.
Uncover how Monster Beverage's forecasts yield a $85.38 fair value, in line with its current price.
Exploring Other PerspectivesMNST 1-Year Stock Price Chart
Some of the lowest estimate analysts were assuming roughly US$9.8 billion in 2028 revenue and US$2.4 billion in earnings, which is far more cautious than the consensus narrative. After a record quarter driven by international growth, you can see how opinions diverge around whether that expansion offsets risks like lower margin products abroad, so it is worth comparing these different views before deciding what you believe.
Story Continues
Explore 3 other fair value estimates on Monster Beverage - why the stock might be worth as much as $85.38!
The Verdict Is Yours
Don't just follow the ticker - dig into the data and build a conviction that's truly your own.
A great starting point for your Monster Beverage research is our analysis highlighting 2 key rewards that could impact your investment decision. Our free Monster Beverage research report provides a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual - the Snowflake - making it easy to evaluate Monster Beverage's overall financial health at a glance.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Companies discussed in this article include MNST.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
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