PepsiCo Partnership Puts Celsius Holdings on Faster Growth Track

Core Insights - Celsius Holdings, Inc. has strengthened its position in the energy drink market through a strategic partnership with PepsiCo, becoming PepsiCo's U.S. energy lead and managing brands like Celsius, Alani Nu, and Rockstar Energy [1][3][7] - The partnership enhances Celsius' distribution capabilities, allowing for broader exposure and the acquisition of the Rockstar Energy brand, which expands its market presence [2][7] - Celsius' stock has seen a significant increase of 69.4% in the past month, contrasting with a 14.7% decline in the industry [6] Partnership Details - Under the new agreement, PepsiCo will distribute Celsius Holdings' products across the U.S. and Canada, while Celsius will manage the brands within its portfolio [1][2][3] - PepsiCo has increased its stake in Celsius Holdings to approximately 11%, indicating a stronger financial commitment [2][7] Market Positioning - The partnership aligns the commercial strategies of both companies, allowing Celsius to enhance execution, innovation, and brand growth [3] - Celsius aims to capture greater long-term value in the rapidly expanding energy drink category [3] Financial Performance - Celsius Holdings trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 43.49, significantly higher than the industry average of 15.77 [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects year-over-year earnings growth of 54.3% for 2025 and 28.6% for 2026 [9]