Kweichow Moutai Co. delivered its worst six-month growth in sales or profit in years as China’s top distiller struggles with weak consumer demand for premium beverages https://t.co/kzLCefNBRz ...

Core Insights - American Rebel Light Beer successfully activated its brand at the 2025 Knoxville Nationals, enhancing brand awareness and consumer connection among a large audience of over 25,000 fans [1][2][11] - The partnership with Jason Meyers Racing showcased the brand's commitment to excellence and resonated well with the Sprint Car community, driving positive feedback and visibility [4][6][8] Brand Activation and Performance - American Rebel Light Beer made its official Sprint Car debut at the Knoxville Nationals, achieving significant retail success and becoming a top seller at the Dingus Lounge during the event [2][11] - The beer's performance on the track was mirrored by its retail success, with a strong presence in stores like Hy-Vee and Casey's, leading to trial and repeat purchases [11][14] Strategic Partnerships - The collaboration with Jason Meyers Racing, a two-time World of Outlaws champion, reinforced the brand's image and connected with a loyal fan base [4][5][6] - The partnership was described as phenomenal, with positive comments on the car design and branding, indicating strong community engagement [6][8] Consumer Engagement - American Rebel Light Beer engaged thousands of new customers through on-site sampling and fan activations during the Knoxville Nationals [11][14] - The brand's messaging aligns with the values of its target audience, emphasizing patriotism, loyalty, and a competitive spirit [7][8] Product Details - American Rebel Light Beer is marketed as a healthier option, with approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcohol content per 12 oz serving, appealing to consumers seeking a balanced lifestyle [16] - The beer is crafted without added supplements and is free from corn, rice, or sweeteners typically found in mass-produced beers, enhancing its appeal to health-conscious consumers [16]

NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tilray Brands, Inc. ("Tilray") (NASDAQ: TLRY and TSX: TLRY) is building on the momentum of its hemp-derived Delta-9 THC (HDD9) beverage portfolio with new 10mg format extensions from its brands: Fizzy Jane's and Happy Flower. Fizzy Jane's, the sparkling seltzer line that debuted this spring in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, is now available in a 10mg HDD9 THC format, enhancing the buzz while keeping the same crisp, fruit-forward refreshment fans love ...

Core Viewpoint - PepsiCo's valuation has significantly decreased from 31.5x TTM P/E to 18.5x, making it an attractive investment opportunity [1] Financial Performance - The investment philosophy emphasizes the importance of financial performance, particularly return on invested capital (ROIC) [1] - Investments are classified based on ROIC: - Long-term/Indefinite: ROIC greater than 9% and capable of growing intrinsic value - Medium-term: ROIC between 6% and 9% and able to maintain intrinsic value - Value Traps: ROIC less than 6% and unable to meet their cost of capital [1] Valuation - The company aims to buy value opportunities at a 30% discount to intrinsic value, targeting over 9% return on equity (ROE) adjusted for the equity value per share at purchase [1] - The analysis incorporates a subjective estimation of growth based on retained earnings and return on equity over the past decade [1]

Core Viewpoint - The performance disparity between Coca-Cola and PepsiCo stocks highlights their fundamental differences, with Coca-Cola's stock rising 10% since mid-May 2024, while PepsiCo's stock has declined by 20% during the same period [1][2]. Company Comparison - Coca-Cola operates solely in the beverage market, with brands like Gold Peak tea, Minute Maid juices, Dasani water, and Costa coffee, while PepsiCo also includes snack products through its ownership of Frito-Lay and Quaker Oats [4]. - Coca-Cola has divested from bottling operations to focus on marketing, relying on third-party bottlers, whereas PepsiCo manages its own bottling and snack production, exposing it to higher operational costs [5][6]. Financial Performance - PepsiCo's North American food business experienced a 2% year-over-year decline in the second quarter, with a 13% drop on a constant-currency operating basis, reflecting ongoing challenges since late 2023 [7]. - PepsiCo's trailing-12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 18, which is considered low compared to Coca-Cola's P/E ratio of over 23 for 2025, indicating potential undervaluation [9]. - PepsiCo's projected dividend yield is 4%, significantly higher than Coca-Cola's 2.9%, with a strong history of annual dividend growth [10]. Strategic Initiatives - PepsiCo is addressing its challenges by acquiring brands like Siete Foods and Sabra to enhance its product offerings and responding to consumer trends towards healthier options [13]. - The company is investing in technology to improve supply chain efficiency, including AI-powered warehouse robotics and partnerships for AI customer service solutions [14]. Market Sentiment - Despite recent struggles, PepsiCo shares have increased by 12% from their June low, indicating a potential shift in investor sentiment towards the company's turnaround efforts [17]. - The ongoing improvements in product relevance and cost management suggest that PepsiCo's stock may experience a rapid valuation increase as investor confidence grows [16][18].

Core Insights - The acquisition of Alani Nu has significantly contributed to Celsius's recent financial performance, leading to a strong turnaround in the company's fortunes [2][3][9] Financial Performance - Celsius reported a remarkable 84% increase in overall sales, reaching $739.3 million, surpassing analyst expectations of $655.7 million [5] - North American sales surged by 87% to $714.5 million, primarily driven by the addition of Alani Nu [6] - The Celsius brand also saw a 9% revenue growth to $438.1 million, with unit sales increasing by 6% [4] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose by 68% to $0.47, exceeding the analyst consensus of $0.21 [7] Market Trends - Alani Nu's retail sales skyrocketed by 129%, with its market share nearly doubling to 6.3% [3] - Celsius's retail sales increased by 29%, with a sequential growth of 17.6% [5] - The company is witnessing a growing trend of female consumers in the energy drink market, similar to trends observed in North America [6] Future Outlook - The company anticipates some margin pressure in the latter half of 2025 due to rising input costs, particularly from aluminum tariffs [8] - Increased marketing efforts, including a national TV commercial during NFL games, are planned to enhance brand awareness [8] - The integration of Alani Nu into PepsiCo's distribution network is expected to expand its retail presence [9] Valuation Considerations - The stock currently trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of approximately 42.5 times 2026 analyst estimates, indicating a less attractive valuation compared to earlier in the year [11] - While there are positive growth opportunities with Alani Nu, the current valuation may be considered ahead of itself [12]

Core Viewpoint - Celsius Holdings Inc's stock has reached a new 52-week high following strong second-quarter financial results, prompting analysts to raise their price targets and express increased confidence in the company's growth potential [1][4]. Financial Performance - The company reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of 47 cents per share, significantly exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of 23 cents [2]. - Quarterly revenue increased by 84% year-over-year to $739.26 million, surpassing market expectations [2]. - Revenue from the newly acquired Alani Nu brand contributed $301.2 million, while the core Celsius brand achieved a 9% year-over-year revenue growth [3]. - Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled from the previous year to $210.3 million [3]. Analyst Sentiment - Following the earnings report, several firms, including Truist Securities, Maxim Group, Citigroup, and UBS, raised their price targets while maintaining Buy ratings [4]. - Truist increased its target from $55 to $65, and Morgan Stanley raised its target from $42 to $56 [4]. Stock Performance Metrics - Celsius Holdings has a Momentum score of 94.56, a Growth score of 86.64, and a Quality score of 86.88, indicating strong price momentum, robust business growth, and sound financial health [5]. - However, the Value score is low at 12.18, suggesting the stock is trading at a premium valuation compared to peers [6]. - As of the latest data, Celsius shares closed at $54, with a 52-week high of $54.49 and a low of $21.10 [6].

Core Insights - PepsiCo, Inc. is strategically positioned to capture a significant share in the expanding functional beverage market through health-conscious innovations, brand strength, and distribution reach [1][3] - The company is focusing on no-sugar colas, Gatorade, and functional hydration platforms like Propel, with plans to enter the liquid protein market in late 2025 and early 2026 [1][8] - PepsiCo's competitive advantage lies in integrating functionality into established beverage lines and leveraging partnerships to meet diverse consumer needs [2][6] Company Strategy - The company is investing in cleaner labels, affordability, and a broader portfolio transformation to enhance its market positioning [3] - PepsiCo's approach includes a combination of owned brands, joint ventures, and partnerships, which allows it to address various consumer demands effectively [2][6] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper are also making strategic moves in the functional beverage market, with Coca-Cola focusing on energy, hydration, and wellness categories [4][5] - Keurig Dr Pepper is expanding into enhanced hydration and wellness categories, benefiting from strategic partnerships to capture growth in the energy drink market [6] Financial Performance - PepsiCo's shares have decreased by approximately 4.5% year-to-date, while the industry has grown by 6% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.57X, slightly below the industry average of 18.03X [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a projected decline of 1.8% in 2025 earnings, with a subsequent growth of 5.2% in 2026 [10]

Technical Analysis - PepsiCo (PEP) has recently reached a key level of support and has overtaken the 200-day moving average, indicating a long-term bullish trend [1] - The 200-day simple moving average is a widely-used indicator that helps establish market trends, and PEP has gained 7.4% over the past four weeks [2] Earnings Estimates - Positive earnings estimate revisions for PEP strengthen the bullish case, with no estimates going lower in the past two months and 9 estimates being revised higher [3] - The consensus estimate for PEP has also increased, suggesting potential for further gains in the near future [3] Market Position - PEP is currently ranked a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating strong potential for the stock to move even higher [2]

Core Viewpoint - The performance of Celsius Holdings Inc. in international markets is crucial for assessing its financial resilience and growth prospects, especially given its significant global presence [1][2][3]. Group 1: Financial Performance - The total revenue for Celsius in the quarter ended June 2025 was $739.26 million, reflecting an increase of 83.9% compared to the same quarter last year [4]. - Revenue from Europe accounted for 2.5% of total revenue, amounting to $18.3 million, which was a decrease of 13.96% from the expected $21.27 million [5]. - Asia-Pacific contributed $4.38 million, or 0.6% of total revenue, exceeding the consensus estimate by 182.65% [6]. - Other International markets generated $2.12 million, representing 0.3% of total revenue, which was below the expected $2.61 million by 18.7% [7]. Group 2: Revenue Projections - Analysts project that Celsius will achieve revenues of $641.63 million for the ongoing fiscal quarter, an increase of 141.4% from the previous year, with contributions from Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Other International expected to be $20.71 million, $1.59 million, and $2.23 million, respectively [8]. - For the full year, total revenue is anticipated to reach $2.21 billion, up 62.8% from the previous year, with Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Other International expected to contribute $79.29 million, $8.83 million, and $9.34 million, respectively [9]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The reliance on international markets presents both opportunities and challenges for Celsius, necessitating close monitoring of international revenue trends to forecast future performance [10]. - The interconnectedness of global economies and the complexities of international operations, including currency fluctuations and geopolitical risks, are critical factors influencing the company's financial outcomes [3][10]. Group 4: Stock Performance - Over the past month, Celsius' stock price increased by 15.2%, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which rose by 2.7% [13]. - In the last three months, the stock price surged by 31.9%, while the S&P 500 index increased by 13.2% [13].