TLDR
- MNST hit a 52-week high of $88.85, currently trading around $89.38, up 36% over the past year
- Q1 2026 EPS of $0.58 beat the $0.53 estimate; revenue of $2.32 billion beat expectations by roughly $160 million
- Board authorized a new $500 million share buyback program
- Wells Fargo raised its price target to $97; Citigroup and Argus both set targets at $100
- 10 analysts revised earnings upwards; consensus rating is “Moderate Buy” with a target of $88.89
Monster Beverage (MNST) stock hit a 52-week high of $88.85 on Tuesday, currently trading at $89.38. That puts the stock up 36% over the past 12 months, with a market cap of around $86 billion.
Monster Beverage Corporation, MNST
The rally comes on the back of a strong Q1 2026 earnings report. MNST posted EPS of $0.58, beating the $0.53 consensus estimate. Revenue came in at $2.32 billion, up 22.6% year-over-year and well ahead of the $2.16 billion analysts had expected.
That kind of beat tends to get Wall Street’s attention ā and it did.
Analysts Raise Targets
Wells Fargo lifted its price target from $87 to $97 and kept an “overweight” rating. Citigroup and Argus both have $100 targets with “buy” ratings. Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded the stock from “neutral” to “buy,” raising its target to $90.
Of 21 analysts covering the stock, 14 have a “Buy” rating and seven have “Hold.” The consensus price target sits at $88.89, which the stock has already cleared.
Ten analysts have revised earnings estimates upward ahead of the next reporting period.
The company’s gross profit margins stand at 55%, with revenue growth of 18% over the trailing period. Return on equity is 26.86% and net margin is 23.11%.
Buyback and Institutional Interest
Monster’s board approved a new $500 million share repurchase program on May 15th. That’s on top of roughly $400 million still available from a prior program.
Institutional investors have been active. Williamson Legacy Group opened a new position worth about $1.14 million in Q4. Several other firms increased their stakes, including Physician Wealth Advisors, which grew its position by over 500%. Institutional ownership now stands at 72.36%.
Evercore noted that Monster continues to close its price gap with Red Bull in the energy drink market, holding a 31% volume share year-to-date.
On the insider side, the picture is more mixed. Director Mark J. Hall sold 54,000 shares on May 14th at $85.81, cutting his position by 15.29%. Insider Emelie Tirre also sold 10,000 shares the same day at $85.74. Insiders have sold a combined 159,700 shares worth over $13.7 million in the past three months.
The stock’s 50-day moving average is $78.00 and its 200-day moving average is $77.62, both well below the current price.
The 12-month low was $58.09, meaning the stock has gained roughly 54% from its floor.
Analysts forecast full-year EPS of $2.31 for the current fiscal year.
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