Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.Even though momentum is a popular stock characte ...

Core Insights - Celsius Holdings, Inc. (CELH) and Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) represent two distinct approaches within the energy drink category, with CELH focusing on high growth and health-oriented products, while MNST is a mature leader with a broad portfolio and strong profitability [1][2][3] Group 1: Celsius Holdings (CELH) - CELH is experiencing significant revenue growth in 2025, driven by market share gains and portfolio expansion, with a market capitalization of approximately $11.5 billion [1] - The CELSIUS brand is one of the fastest-growing energy drinks in the U.S., benefiting from improved shelf placement and distribution through PepsiCo [4] - The integration of Alani Nu into PepsiCo's distribution system is expected to enhance visibility and distribution starting in early 2026 [5] - Innovation through new flavors and limited-time offerings is crucial for CELH's growth, appealing to younger consumers [6] - CELH's gross margin remained above 50% in Q3 2025, supported by operational efficiencies and a better revenue mix [7] - Near-term results may be volatile due to integration costs and other transitional challenges, but consumer trends remain positive [8] Group 2: Monster Beverage (MNST) - MNST is a dominant player in the energy drink market, with a strong brand portfolio and global distribution, leading to higher revenues and profitability [2][9] - The company continues to see solid growth driven by its core Monster Energy brand and international market expansion [10] - Innovation is key for MNST, with new flavor launches and brand extensions aimed at capturing consumer preferences and defending market share [11] - MNST benefits from a strong global footprint and strategic partnership with Coca-Cola, enhancing its distribution capabilities [12] - The company maintains healthy operating margins and cash flow, supported by disciplined cost control and pricing strategies [13] - MNST is viewed as a high-quality, cash-generative leader in the energy drink space, with a focus on long-term value creation [14] Group 3: Comparative Analysis - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates CELH's sales and EPS are expected to grow by 79.7% and 78.6% year-over-year, respectively, while MNST's growth is projected at 9.7% for sales and 22.8% for EPS [15][16] - Over the past year, CELH shares have increased by 61.6%, compared to a 47% rise for MNST [18] - CELH's forward P/E ratio of 29.82 suggests it is trading at a discount relative to its growth, while MNST's forward P/E of 34.55 indicates a premium valuation due to its established market position [19] - Both companies are well-positioned for long-term growth in the energy drink category, with CELH appealing to growth-oriented investors and MNST suited for those seeking stability [22]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a cautious optimism for the apparel industry in 2026, highlighting potential recovery driven by middle-income consumer growth and stimulus policies [5] Core Insights - The retail industry in 2026 will focus on delivery speed, value, and the introduction of agency commerce, with successful companies expanding market share through alternative revenue sources like memberships and media [3][4] - The consumer environment in the U.S. is expected to improve, benefiting discretionary spending, particularly in high-growth sectors like energy drinks, nicotine, and beauty products [6] - The food packaging and retail sectors will see improved profit margins due to falling commodity prices, although competition from private labels is intensifying [7] - Key investment themes include the performance of middle-income consumers, with a projected 2.5% increase in real income for the third and fourth income quintiles in 2026 [2] Retail Industry Summary - Four key themes for the retail industry in 2026: delivery speed, value, agency commerce, and the expansion of alternative revenue sources [3] - Companies like Dick's Sporting Goods, Monster, Philip Morris, and Estee Lauder are highlighted as top investment picks [3][14] Apparel Industry Summary - The apparel industry is expected to recover due to consumer demand for wardrobe updates and supportive policies for middle-income groups [5][11] - Factors influencing profitability include pricing management, demand elasticity, and tariff impacts [5] Nicotine Products Summary - Nicotine products have outperformed the market for two consecutive years, driven by consumer pressure and value-oriented behavior [6] Food Packaging and Retail Summary - The decline in commodity prices is expected to enhance profit margins, while competition from private labels poses risks [7] - Companies like Albertsons, Kroger, and Sprouts are positioned to benefit, along with protein companies like Tyson Foods and Hormel [7] Consumer Staples Summary - Recommended stocks in the consumer staples sector include Philip Morris and Monster, both showing strong growth potential [8] - Attention is drawn to companies like Pepsi, Elf, and Celsius, which may be undervalued due to excessive short-selling sentiment [8] Investment Opportunities Summary - Notable investment opportunities include Dick's Sporting Goods, Monster, Philip Morris, Estee Lauder, Ross Stores, and Marriott, all expected to benefit from favorable consumer trends [14]

Morgan Stanley sets a price target of $87 for NASDAQ:MNST, indicating a potential increase of about 12.03%.The Investment Committee highlights Monster Beverage as a top pick, suggesting strong confidence in the company's future performance.MNST's stock price shows positive momentum, with a 1.84% increase, reflecting active investor interest and market presence.Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) is a leading player in the energy drink market, known for its popular Monster Energy brand. The company co ...

莫森尼安进一步指出，随着与可口可乐(KO.US)体系协同效应的持续深化，怪兽饮料在国际市场拓展方 面被寄予厚望。"怪兽饮料能够借此触及全球最为强大且成熟的非酒精即饮饮料分销网络;而对于装瓶商 而言，它们将收获一个具备高增长、高利润特质，且能为自身产品组合增添新亮点的优质品牌。" 智通财经APP获悉，摩根士丹利重申，对即将步入新年的怪兽饮料(MNST.US)仍持看涨观点。该行强 调，近期美国和西欧地区的零售扫描数据不仅持续展现出强劲态势，而且表现优于市场预期，这与整体 消费包装品行业当前的低迷状况形成了鲜明对比。此外，相较于同行业其他公司，怪兽饮料在产品定价 方面呈现出稳健的趋势。对此，大摩不仅上调了对给予"增持"评级的怪兽饮料2026年营收及每股收益的 预期，还将其目标价从81美元提升至87美元。 该行分析师达拉·莫森尼安指出："至关重要的是，在我们看来，怪兽饮料正迈入一个全新的发展阶段。 这一阶段相较于以往以创业文化为主导的时期，更具数据分析能力。公司不仅配备了更为先进的技术与 分析工具，还拥有实力更为雄厚的管理层团队。并且，在能量品类长期保持强劲增长的大背景下，其战 略方向也愈发清晰明确。" 怪兽饮料股价 ...

Core Insights - Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) has attracted investor attention due to significant insider selling, raising questions about management sentiment and valuation [1][2] - Chief Commercial Officer Emelie Tirre sold 30,000 shares at an average price of approximately $73.31, generating around $2.2 million, while retaining nearly 64,000 shares [1] - This sale is the largest insider transaction in the past year, and the lack of recent insider purchases has led to speculation about executives' outlook on the stock [2] Institutional Activity - Institutional activity around Monster Beverage has been inconsistent, with some large holders reducing their positions while others, including central bank-linked institutions, have increased their exposure [3] - This divergence indicates a lack of consensus among sophisticated investors regarding the stock's near-term direction [3] Performance Comparison - Over the past year, MNST's share price has increased by 48.2%, outperforming its Zacks peer group's average rise of 47.6% [4] - Comparatively, peers Coca-Cola FEMSA (KOF) and Primo Brands Corporation (PRMB) have experienced price changes of 17.3% and -46.7%, respectively [4] Business Fundamentals - Despite concerns surrounding insider trading, Monster Beverage's business fundamentals remain strong, characterized by consistent revenue growth, robust margins, and a well-recognized brand portfolio [5] - The recent insider selling adds a layer of caution for shareholders as they evaluate valuation and market conditions moving forward [5]

Investors interested in Consumer Staples stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Estee Lauder (EL) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.Estee Lauder is a member of the Consumer Staples sector. This group includes 185 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #16. The Zac ...

Economic Outlook - Increasing discussions about a potential recession in 2026 as the economy shows signs of slowing after a prolonged expansion [1] - Current U.S. economy described as stable but uneven, with household spending focusing more on essentials rather than discretionary items [2] - Businesses facing margin pressure due to higher costs and selective consumer behavior, raising the risk of slower growth heading into 2026 [2] Consumer-Staple Sector - In uncertain or low-growth periods, investors tend to shift from cyclical sectors to consumer-staple stocks, which have steady demand and predictable cash flows [3] - Consumer-staple companies sell essential products that consumers continue to purchase regardless of economic conditions, benefiting from strong brands and effective cost management [4] Investment Opportunities - Three consumer-staple stocks identified as strong investment opportunities: Estee Lauder (EL), Turning Point Brands (TPB), and Monster Beverage (MNST) [5] - All three companies have gained over 35% in the past year and hold a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating favorable earnings trends and strong fundamentals [5] Estee Lauder (EL) - Estee Lauder shows early recovery signs with a focus on innovation and efficiency, supported by its Beauty Reimagined strategy [9][10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EL's EPS suggests growth of 41.7% and nearly 36% for the current and next fiscal years, respectively [11] Turning Point Brands (TPB) - TPB has experienced significant growth of 87.3% over the past year, combining stable cash flows from legacy brands with growth from modern oral nicotine products [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPB's EPS indicates growth of 50.6% and 7.1% for the current and next fiscal years, respectively [14] Monster Beverage (MNST) - MNST has gained 46.2% in the past year, benefiting from a growing global energy drink market and strong brand loyalty [15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MNST's EPS suggests growth of 22.2% and 13.2% for the current and next fiscal years, respectively [17] Conclusion - If economic growth slows in 2026, consumer-staple stocks like EL, TPB, and MNST may provide relative stability due to their essential products and strong brand positioning [18]

On CNBC's “Halftime Report Final Trades,” Malcolm Ethridge, managing partner at Capital Area Planning Group, named The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) as his final trade.According to recent reports, Goldman Sachs agreed on Dec. 1 to acquire Innovator Capital Management for approximately $2.0 billion. The company expects to pay the amount in cash and equity. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.Stephanie Link, chief inv ...

Final trade. What do you got. >> Goldman Sachs.>> All right. ...