A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Constellation Brands (STZ) . Shares have added about 11.9% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Constellation Brands due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.Constellation Brands' Q3 Earnings & Sales ...

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Brands, Inc. appears more attractive now compared to a year ago, with a significant drop in its price-to-earnings ratio from 20 times earnings to 13 times this year's earnings estimate [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Constellation Brands, Inc. operates in the beverage industry, selling beer, wine, and spirits. Its beer portfolio includes well-known brands such as Corona, Modelo, Pacifico, and Victoria [2]. - The company also has a diverse range of wine and spirits labels, including Robert Mondavi Winery, Kim Crawford, The Prisoner Wine Company, and SVEDKA [2]. Group 2: Financial Performance - The stock has experienced a decline of 2.8%, which has contributed to its current dividend yield, although the dividend was not raised [1]. - Despite a better-than-expected quarterly performance, there is skepticism about whether the worst is over for the company [1].

Core Insights - Constellation Brands, Inc. (STZ) reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 results with sales and earnings exceeding Zacks Consensus Estimates, despite year-over-year declines due to weak consumer demand trends [1][10] Financial Performance - Comparable earnings per share (EPS) for Q3 were $3.06, a 6% decline year over year, but above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.65. Reported EPS was $2.88 compared to $3.39 in the same quarter last year [1] - Net sales decreased by 10% year over year to $2.22 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.18 billion. Organic net sales fell by 2% year over year [2] - The beer business generated $2.01 billion in sales, down 1% year over year, with a 2.2% decline in shipment volumes, partially offset by favorable pricing. Depletions fell by 3% [4] - The wine and spirits segment saw a significant decline of 51% in sales to $213.1 million, driven by a 70.6% drop in shipment volumes due to divestitures and strategic pricing efforts [5] Margin Analysis - Comparable loss for the company was $46.9 million, compared to a loss of $9.2 million in the prior-year quarter, attributed to weak operating income across beer, wine, and spirits businesses [6] - Operating income for the beer segment decreased by 1% to $763.5 million, with an operating margin increase of 10 basis points to 38% [7] - The wine and spirits segment reported an operating income of $33.7 million, down 65% from the previous year, with an operating margin contraction to 15.8% [8] Financial Position - As of November 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents stood at $152.4 million, long-term debt at $10.3 billion, and total shareholders' equity at $7.7 billion. The company generated an operating cash flow of $2.1 billion and adjusted free cash flow of $1.5 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2026 [11] - The board announced a quarterly dividend of $1.02 per share, payable on November 13, 2026, with nearly $604 million returned to shareholders through share repurchases [12] Future Outlook - The company forecasts an operating cash flow of $2.5-$2.6 billion and adjusted free cash flow of $1.3-$1.4 billion for fiscal 2026, with capital expenditures of $1.2 billion primarily for Mexico beer operations [13] - Management projects a 4-6% decrease in enterprise organic net sales for fiscal 2026, with beer segment net sales expected to decline by 2-4% and wine and spirits segment net sales anticipated to drop by 17-20% [14] - Comparable EPS guidance is set at $11.30-$11.60 for fiscal 2026, with a reported EPS expectation of $9.72-$10.02 [16]

Financial Performance - The company updated its FY26 reported EPS outlook to $972-$1002 and affirmed a comparable EPS outlook of $1130-$1160[16] - The company affirmed FY26 targets for operating cash flow of $25 billion to $26 billion and free cash flow of $13 billion to $14 billion[16] - Enterprise Q3 FY26 reported net sales were $2223 billion, a 10% decrease year-over-year, while organic net sales also reached $2223 billion, reflecting a 2% decrease[21, 24] - Enterprise Q3 FY26 reported operating income was $692 million, a 13% decrease year-over-year, but comparable operating income was $739 million, remaining flat[21, 28] Segment Results - The Beer Business experienced a 1% decrease in net sales, reaching $20 billion in Q3 FY26[21] - The Wine and Spirits Business reported a 51% decrease in net sales to $213 million, with organic net sales down 7%[21] - The Wine and Spirits Business operating margin contracted significantly from 221% to 158%[17] Capital Allocation - The company maintained a net leverage ratio at the target of approximately 30X[17, 19] - The company executed $220 million in share repurchases in Q3, bringing the fiscal year-to-date total to $824 million[17, 19] - Capital expenditures in Q3 were $246 million, with a fiscal year-to-date total of $656 million, primarily focused on Beer brewing capacity additions[17, 19] Strategic Initiatives - The company achieved a net benefit through efficiency and cost optimization initiatives of over $40 million in Q3 FY26 and over $145 million fiscal year-to-date[20]

Group 1: Financial Results - Constellation Brands, Inc. reported its third quarter fiscal 2026 financial results on January 7, 2026 [1] - A conference call to discuss the financial results and outlook will be hosted by the CEO and CFO on January 8, 2026 [1] Group 2: Company Overview - Constellation Brands is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy [2] - The company's mission is to build brands that people love, focusing on elevating human connections and anticipating market trends [2] Group 3: Product Portfolio - The company offers a high-end, imported beer portfolio including Corona Extra, Modelo Especial, and other brands like Pacifico and Victoria [3] - Its wine brands include The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Kim Crawford, and others [3] - The craft spirits brands feature Casa Noble Tequila and High West Whiskey [3] Group 4: Sustainability and ESG Strategy - As an agriculture-based company, Constellation Brands emphasizes sustainable and responsible operations [4] - The company's ESG strategy focuses on environmental stewardship, community investment, and promoting responsible beverage alcohol consumption [4]

Group 1: Fund Performance - Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund's Investor Class fund ARTQX returned 0.97%, Advisor Class fund APDQX posted a return of 0.98%, and Institutional Class fund APHQX returned 0.97% in Q3 2025, compared to a 6.18% return for the Russell Midcap Value Index [1] - The equity markets continued to rally in Q3 2025, driven by strong corporate earnings, rising AI capital expenditures, and expectations for economic support from US fiscal policy and lower interest rates [1] Group 2: Constellation Brands, Inc. Overview - Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) produces and distributes beer, wine, and spirits, with a market capitalization of $24.573 billion as of January 2, 2026 [2] - The stock's one-month return was -0.58%, and it lost 36.68% of its value over the last 52 weeks [2] Group 3: Constellation Brands, Inc. Performance Analysis - Constellation Brands was the weakest performer outside of health care, with growth slowing significantly over the past year [3] - The company is USMCA compliant, but faces demand headwinds in its core Hispanic consumer market due to elevated inflation and recent immigration raids affecting social activity [3] - The US beer market is stagnating, with younger demographics shifting away from alcohol, yet Constellation Brands has maintained a loyal customer base and gained market share over the past 20 years, particularly with its Modelo Especial brand [3] - The company is focusing on growing its smaller brands, Pacifico and Victoria, while enhancing product offerings for its established brands [3] - Constellation Brands' valuation is compelling at 12X next year's forecast earnings compared to its five-year average of 18X, indicating potential for recovery as company-specific headwinds dissipate [3]

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Brands, Inc. is expected to report a decline in earnings for the fiscal third quarter of 2026, reflecting ongoing challenges in consumer demand and margin pressures [2][5]. Financial Performance - Analysts anticipate a profit of $2.66 per share for the upcoming quarter, which represents an 18.2% decrease from $3.25 per share in the same quarter last year [2]. - For the full fiscal year, the expected EPS is $11.50, down 16.6% from $13.78 in fiscal 2025, but projected to rise by 8.3% to $12.45 in fiscal 2027 [3]. Stock Performance - STZ stock has underperformed significantly, with a 40.1% decline over the past 52 weeks, contrasting with the S&P 500 Index's 11.1% gains [4]. - The stock also underperformed compared to the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund, which saw a 2.2% loss during the same period [4]. Market Sentiment - Analysts maintain a "Moderate Buy" rating for STZ, with 10 out of 24 analysts recommending a "Strong Buy" and an average price target of $169.18, indicating a potential upside of 21.1% from current levels [7]. - The company expresses cautious optimism regarding future growth despite the volatility in consumer demand and mixed market results [5].

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Brands, Inc. will report its financial results for the third quarter ended November 30, 2025, on January 7, 2026, with a conference call scheduled for January 8, 2026, to discuss the results and future outlook [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Reporting - The financial results will be posted on the company's investor relations website after the U.S. markets close on January 7, 2026 [1]. - A live conference call will take place on January 8, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. ET, featuring discussions led by the President and CEO, Bill Newlands, and the Executive Vice President and CFO, Garth Hankinson [1][2]. - Access to the conference call will be available via a dedicated phone line and a listen-only webcast on the investor relations website [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - Constellation Brands is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits, with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy [3]. - The company aims to build beloved brands and is recognized as one of the fastest-growing large consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies in the U.S. retail sector [3]. - The product portfolio includes high-end imported beers like Corona Extra and Modelo Especial, a variety of wines, and craft spirits such as Casa Noble Tequila and High West Whiskey [4]. Group 3: Sustainability and ESG Strategy - The company emphasizes sustainable and responsible operations as an agriculture-based entity, integrating its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy into its business model [5]. - Constellation Brands focuses on environmental stewardship, community investment, and promoting responsible alcohol consumption as part of its long-term business strategy [5].

Core Insights - Constellation Brands, Inc. (STZ) is a significant player in the U.S. beverage-alcohol market, with a market capitalization of $25.1 billion, producing and distributing well-known brands like Corona and Modelo [1][2] Company Overview - Founded in 1945 and headquartered in New York, STZ holds exclusive U.S. rights to several iconic beer brands, reinforcing its strong brand equity and market position [1] - As a large-cap stock, STZ's market cap exceeding $10 billion highlights its influence and dominance in the beverages-brewers industry [2] Stock Performance - STZ has experienced a significant decline, down 43.8% from its 52-week high of $245.31, and has underperformed the S&P 500 Index, which surged 6.5% over the past three months [3][4] - Over the past 52 weeks, STZ shares have fallen 42%, compared to a 12.9% decline in the S&P 500, and year-to-date, STZ is down 37.6% versus the S&P 500's 16.1% drop [4] Recent Financial Results - On October 6, STZ reported fiscal second-quarter results with net sales of $2.5 billion, a 15% year-over-year decline, but slightly above analyst expectations [5] - Adjusted EPS fell 16% to $3.63, beating the consensus estimate of $3.37, yet investor sentiment remained cautious, leading to a 2.5% drop in shares on the announcement day [5] Competitive Landscape - STZ has significantly lagged behind its competitor Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD), which saw a 13.9% increase over the past 52 weeks and a 23.1% gain year-to-date [6]

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Brands has experienced a decline in share price by approximately 7.8% since its last earnings report, raising questions about the potential for continued negative trends or a possible breakout before the next earnings release [1] Financial Performance - The company reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with both sales and earnings surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate despite year-over-year declines due to weak consumer demand [2] - Comparable earnings per share (EPS) were $3.63, down 16% year over year, but exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.37. Reported EPS was $2.65, compared to a loss of $6.59 in the same quarter last year [3] - Net sales decreased by 15% year over year to $2.48 billion, slightly above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.46 billion. Organic net sales fell by 8% year over year [3] Segment Performance - Sales in the beer segment fell 7% year over year to $2.35 billion, driven by an 8.7% decline in shipment volumes due to socioeconomic headwinds and distributor inventory rebalancing. Depletions decreased by 2.7%, with notable declines in Modelo Especial, Corona Extra, and Modelo Chelada brands, partially offset by growth in Pacifico and Victoria [4] - The wine and spirits segment saw a significant decline of 65% year over year in sales, dropping to $136 million, primarily due to a 76.4% decrease in shipment volumes linked to divestitures and changes in distributor obligations. However, depletions in this segment grew nearly 2% [5] Margin Analysis - Comparable operating income for the company was $886.2 million, down from $1,019.1 million in the prior-year quarter, attributed to weak performance across beer, wine, and spirits businesses [6] - The beer segment's operating income fell 12% year over year to $951.6 million, with an operating margin contraction of 200 basis points to 40.6%, influenced by higher costs of goods sold (COGS) and increased marketing expenses [7] - The wine and spirits segment reported an operating loss of $19.8 million, a significant decline from an operating income of $70.5 million in the previous year, with margins affected by divestitures and changes in distributor contractual obligations [8]