Stifel analyst Mark Swartzberg upgraded bourbon bottler Beam Inc. and beermakers Constellation Brands Inc., and Molson Coors Brewing Co. to "Buy," from "Hold." Constellation Brands, based in Victor, N.Y., is set to benefit from adding production for U.S. sales of Corona and other beers now made by Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo.
"You want to be in sectors that sell to the people who benefit from wage inflation: consumers," said John Lomax, head of emerging equity strategy at HSBC. Russian supermarket chain Magnit saw profits jump 28 percent in the first quarter and its shares have returned 190 percent since April 2010, according to Morgan Stanley.
Among the stock activity stories for Tuesday, May 14, from AP Business News:. _ Shares of SolarCity Corp., which leases and installs solar energy systems for homes and businesses, fell after it posted a bigger-than-expected first-quarter loss.
NEW YORK-- Monster Beverage shares are gaining some traction less than a week after the energy drink maker reported disappointing first-quarter results and a slowdown in sales.
Among the stock activity stories for Thursday, May 9, from AP Business News:. _ Barnes& Noble Inc.' s shares surged after a blog reported that Microsoft is considering buying its Nook e-book and e-book reader business outright.
May 9- A small-batch vodka made in Austin, Texas, has found its way onto one of the world's biggest airlines. Tito's Handmade Vodka, created by geologist and geophysicist Bert "Tito" Beveridge, is now the exclusive vodka supplier to United Airlines, the companies are set to announce on Friday.
NEW YORK-- Shares of Monster Beverage fell Thursday after the energy drink maker reported disappointing first-quarter results and a slowdown in sales.
DALLAS-- Dean Foods' net income skyrocketed in the first quarter on the sale of its massive Morningstar division. The Dallas food and beverage company surprised Wall Street even when the sale of Morningstar is excluded and shares rose in early trading. For the three months ended March 31, Dean Foods Co. earned $492.6 million, or $2.63 per share.
LONDON/ HANOI, May 9- Some local dealers are using a tax dodge to buy up much of the coffee in Vietnam, the world's top producer of the robusta variety used for instant coffee, slashing the market share of international traders.
*First-quarter profit $0.37/ share vs $0.41 year ago. May 8- Energy drinks maker Monster Beverage Corp's sales missed analysts' estimates as the industry took a hit from concerns over the health risks of such drinks, sending its shares down 16 percent after the bell. FDA is investigating reports of five deaths that may be associated with Monster's energy drink.
CORONA, Calif.-- Monster Beverage Corp.' s first-quarter net income fell 17 percent despite stronger sales, as the energy drink maker was weighed down unfavorable currency rates, legal expenses and costs tied to distribution agreements.
*First-quarter profit $0.37/ share vs $0.41 year ago. May 8- Monster Beverage Corp reported a 17 percent fall in quarterly profit due to higher operating expenses and costs related to distributor terminations and foreign currency transactions.
May 8- Energy drink maker Monster Beverage Corp reported a 17 percent fall in quarterly profit as it was hurt by costs related to distributor terminations and foreign currency transactions. The company, formerly known as Hansen Natural, earned $63.5 million, or 37 cents per share, in the first-quarter, down from $76.1 million, or 41 cents per share, a year earlier.