US spirits major Sazerac has bought local craft distiller Western Son Vodka and Distillery for an undisclosed sum. Based in Pilot Point, Texas, Western Son produces a range of flavoured vodkas as well as a gin under its namesake brand. The deal sees Sazerac acquire the entire company, including its employees, production capabilities, assets and brands, Sazerac confirmed to Just Drinks. The group could not confirm at this stage how many staff would be joining Sazerac. "We are excited to bring Western So ...

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Brands faces significant near-term challenges, leading to a nearly 30% drop in stock price over the past year, raising questions about its ability to recover in the next 12 months [1] Group 1: Challenges Faced - The company is experiencing a decline in alcohol consumption among younger millennials and Gen Z, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the alcohol market [2] - Constellation is heavily impacted by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Mexican imports, which could reduce its earnings per share (EPS) by $3 to $3.75 in fiscal 2026, equating to a 22% to 27% decrease from an EPS of $13.78 in fiscal 2025 [4] - Wine sales, previously thought to be more resilient, have also declined, with a 9% drop in fiscal 2024 and an additional 7% decline in fiscal 2025 [5] - The near-term outlook for the company is bleak, with expectations of flat organic sales and a projected EPS decline of 8% to 11% if tariffs remain in place [6] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - To stabilize its business, Constellation plans to divest cheaper wine brands and focus on premium offerings, while also targeting younger consumers with nonalcoholic and lighter alcoholic beverages [7][8] - The company intends to invest approximately $2 billion in its Mexican production facilities through fiscal 2028 to enhance brewing capacity, alongside restructuring efforts aimed at achieving over $200 million in annual savings [8] Group 3: Future Projections - If the company's strategies are successful, it anticipates organic sales growth of 2% to 4% in fiscal 2027 and 2028, with EPS growth projected in the mid-single to low double digits for fiscal 2027 and low to mid-single digits for fiscal 2028 [9] - The stock is currently valued at 14 times forward earnings, with a forward yield of 2.2%, and a new $4 billion buyback plan has been authorized [10] - Should the company meet analysts' expectations and maintain its current valuation, the stock could rise about 4% to $193 per share over the next year, indicating a potential bottoming out despite near-term challenges [11] - A reduction in tariffs could lead to a quicker recovery in stock valuation, potentially resulting in gains exceeding 4% over the next 12 months [12]