Hyderabad, Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Mordor Intelligence, the global chocolate market is valued at USD 119.62 billion in 2026, is projected to reach USD 152.45 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.97% during the forecast period. Growth in the chocolate sector is increasingly driven by value-led strategies rather than volume growth, as premium positioning, ethical sourcing, and evolving consumption occasions reshape the chocolate market forecast.  Chocolate Market Trends and Growth In ...

Players in the Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry remain under pressure as inflation continues to drive higher costs across labor, transportation and raw materials. Rising ingredient prices, shipping expenses and packaging costs are compressing margins, while elevated spending on marketing, promotions and day-to-day operations is weighing on profitability. Adding to these challenges, tariffs pose a further risk to the U.S. beverage alcohol market by increasing prices for imported brands, softening consumer ...

Key Takeaways Coca-Cola has been prioritizing volume growth despite softer demand across its key markets.Premiumization and strategic pricing are central to Coca-Cola's long-term margin expansion.KO leverages product innovation, supply-chain optimization and bottler collaboration to support growth.The Coca-Cola Company (KO) has been witnessing lower volumes across its key markets, reflecting persistent consumer strain and weaker category trends. Despite this, the company is focused on delivering balanced to ...

Core Insights - Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is experiencing strong revenue growth driven by consistent consumer demand, effective pricing strategies, and premiumization across its diverse brand portfolio [1][7] - The company is focusing on expanding its premium and super-premium beer offerings, with brands like Corona performing well internationally [2][5] - AB InBev is enhancing growth through its Beyond Beer portfolio and digital transformation, entering new beverage categories and scaling digital platforms for better customer engagement [3][4] Revenue and Growth Strategies - The premiumization strategy is a significant growth opportunity, with investments in a diverse portfolio of global and specialty premium brands [5] - In Q3 2025, Corona achieved a 6.3% revenue increase outside its home market, with double-digit growth in 33 markets [5] - Digital platforms, including B2B tools, are contributing approximately 70% to revenues, with the omnichannel ecosystem generating $325 million in Q3 2025 [4][7] Market Position and Competitiveness - AB InBev is well-positioned for growth, competing with companies like The Boston Beer Company, Constellation Brands, and Brown-Forman [6] - The company's disciplined revenue management and sustained investments in brand building and operational efficiency are strengthening its leadership in the global beverage industry [1][7]

Key Points Constellation Brands owns some well-known brands in the beer, wine, and spirits space, keeping it well positioned. This stock’s prolonged weakness has also made it relatively undervalued, while also pumping up its dividend yield. It was attractive enough for the world’s most famous investor to purchase a stake even as it was still falling. 10 stocks we like better than Constellation Brands › It's been a tough couple of years for Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) shareholders. Despite a ...

Company Overview - Chilco River Holdings, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Mr. Cliff's Premium Spirits, Inc., marking its entry into the bourbon and American whiskey sector [1][2] - The acquisition is part of Chilco River's long-term growth strategy to build a diversified portfolio of premium alcohol brands [2][3] Strategic Importance - This acquisition strengthens Chilco River's portfolio and positions the company to leverage sustained consumer demand for high-quality American whiskey [3][5] - Management views the bourbon category as a compelling opportunity for scalable growth, strong brand loyalty, and attractive margins driven by premiumization trends [3][5] Product Details - Mr. Cliff's Premium Bourbon is crafted using a family recipe and traditional techniques, featuring a flavor profile of rich corn sweetness, subtle smoke, raw honey, and warm spice [4][9] - The brand emphasizes authenticity and craftsmanship, appealing to premium spirits consumers and on-premise buyers [4][9] Market Dynamics - The bourbon and American whiskey market shows strong long-term demand, driven by premiumization and evolving consumer preferences [5] - Premium and super-premium bourbon expressions have outperformed broader spirits categories, highlighting the strategic value of differentiated bourbon brands [5] Distribution and Growth Plans - Chilco River is in final negotiations with regional distributors and retailers to accelerate distribution and expand brand awareness for Mr. Cliff's Premium Bourbon [6][8] - The company aims to pursue additional growth opportunities across new markets following the acquisition [6][8]

Key Takeaways Brown-Forman is driving growth by prioritizing premium brands to reinforce pricing power and margins.Jack Daniel's anchors the portfolio, while RTD innovation and new brands boost premium positioning.BF.B saw double-digit emerging-market sales growth, aided by Jack Daniel's volumes and consumer demand.Brown-Forman Corporation’s (BF.B) progress is being driven by the strength of its core brands and a strategic shift toward premium and higher-value offerings. By focusing on well-established, glo ...

Core Insights - The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is focusing on premiumization as a growth strategy to enhance revenues, expand margins, and counteract sluggish volume growth [1][4] - The strategy involves diversifying consumer choices through brand innovation and a range of pricing options, from affordable to premium beverages [1][9] - Health-oriented products like Fairlife, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and Diet Coke are part of this strategy, aiming to attract consumers seeking value-added options [2][9] Company Strategy - Coca-Cola's premiumization strategy is evident in its product innovations and marketing efforts, despite facing soft volumes in key markets due to consumer strain [2][3] - The company aims for balanced top-line growth by combining affordable and aspirational offerings, focusing on innovation and marketing to maintain global leadership [3][4] - Management expects pricing normalization as inflation eases, while continuing to leverage affordability and premiumization based on market conditions [4] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper are also emphasizing premiumization in their growth strategies, aligning with consumer preferences for healthier and higher-value products [5][6][7] - PepsiCo is transforming its portfolio with successful premium offerings and strategic acquisitions, while Keurig is elevating its product range to capture higher-value consumers [6][7] Financial Performance - Coca-Cola shares have increased by 0.5% over the past six months, compared to the industry's growth of 3% [8] - The company is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 21.78X, higher than the industry average of 18.19X [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KO's earnings per share (EPS) indicates year-over-year growth of 3.5% for 2025 and 8% for 2026, with stable estimates over the past 30 days [11]

Core Insights - Delta Air Lines has experienced a notable increase in technical strength following its fourth-quarter earnings report, with its momentum ranking rising from the 50th to the 73rd percentile week-over-week [1][2]. Technical Strength - Despite a slight decline in share price post-earnings, Delta's technical indicators have improved relative to its peers, with the momentum score increasing from 50.73 to 73.36, indicating stronger price movement patterns and volatility [2]. - The stock maintains positive ratings across short, medium, and long-term trends, suggesting sustained upward pressure over recent months and the past year [3]. Premiumization Strategy - Delta's "premiumization" strategy is a key driver of its positive outlook, with revenue from premium products increasing by 9% year-over-year, while main-cabin ticket revenue fell by 7% [4]. - High-margin, diversified revenue streams now constitute 60% of Delta's total revenue, supporting a Value ranking of 64.80, which compares market price to fundamental assets and earnings [4]. Financial Performance - Delta reported adjusted earnings of $1.55 per share, surpassing Wall Street estimates of $1.53 [5]. - For 2026, Delta forecasts earnings per share (EPS) between $6.50 and $7.50, exceeding the consensus estimate of $7.22, driven by accelerating top-line growth and strong consumer demand [5]. Stock Performance - Delta's shares have increased by 1.98% in 2026 thus far, with a notable rise of 25.68% over the last six months and a 3.06% increase over the past year [6].

Core Insights - The beverage landscape is evolving, with Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) and The Boston Beer Company (Boston Beer) as key competitors in the alcoholic beverage market, each adapting to changing consumer preferences [1][2] Group 1: AB InBev (BUD) - BUD dominates the brewing industry through an extensive sourcing and distribution network, focusing on premiumization, digital transformation, and brand equity investment [2] - Premiumization is a central growth strategy for BUD, with strong performances from premium and super-premium brands, despite flat growth in the above-core portfolio due to challenges in China [4][9] - BUD's digital platforms, including BEES and Zé Delivery, are crucial for customer engagement, generating $13.3 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV), with a year-over-year increase of 11% [5][6] - The company’s global operating model allows it to adapt to local market dynamics, with megabrand revenues increasing by 3% year over year, driven by strong consumer demand [7] - BUD is expanding its portfolio beyond traditional beer, targeting a year-over-year EBITDA growth of 4-8% in 2025 [8][9] - BUD's sales are projected to decrease by 1.3% in 2025, but earnings per share (EPS) are expected to grow by 3.1% [14] Group 2: Boston Beer (SAM) - Boston Beer has a strong craft heritage and is diversifying its portfolio to include hard seltzers, ciders, and flavored malt beverages, but faces challenges in the competitive craft beer market [10][12] - The Samuel Adams brand, while iconic, is struggling with competition and changing consumer preferences, prompting Boston Beer to focus on revitalization and cost-efficiency [11] - Boston Beer is experiencing a slowdown in the hard seltzer category, with management forecasting a negative impact from tariffs of $9-$13 million in 2025 [13] - Sales for Boston Beer are expected to decline by 2.4% in 2025, with a modest EPS growth of 0.7% [14] Group 3: Performance and Valuation Comparison - Over the past year, BUD has outperformed with a total return of 43.2%, compared to the industry growth of 10.8% and Boston Beer’s decline of 14.4% [17] - BUD trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 16.56X, slightly above the industry average, while Boston Beer trades at a higher multiple of 18.95X [19][20] - BUD's valuation reflects strong momentum in high-growth brands, while Boston Beer faces uncertainty due to ongoing challenges in the craft beer segment [21][25] Conclusion - AB InBev is positioned as a more compelling investment opportunity due to its strong stock performance, attractive valuation, and clear growth strategy, while Boston Beer presents a longer-term opportunity amid its diversification efforts [25][26][27]