Monster Beverage Corp.

Top-line growth / performance (strong quarter, broad-based): Net sales were $2.54B in 2Q 2026, up 20.2% YoY (from $2.11B). Monster Energy drinks segment grew 21.6% to $2.36B. Growth was double-digit in all geographies and management highlighted share gains, including the Monster brand in the U.S. (Nielsen value market share +70 bps in 2Q). This was also the first time net sales crossed $2.5B in a single quarter.

Category demand + penetration tailwinds (energy category still healthy): Management expects the global energy category to remain robust, citing rising household penetration, broader consumer appeal (functionality/lifestyle), and more occasions/dayparts. Reported scanner-category growth included U.S. +7.1% (13-week period), EMEA +10.4% (FX neutral), APAC +11.7% (FX neutral), and LATAM +23.8% (3 months ended June 30). Management said Zero Sugar continues to be a major driver, including Europe where Zero Sugar is growing faster than full sugar (Zero Sugar described as ~38% of category value growth; Monster leads Zero Sugar).

Margins/cost dynamics: modest pressure from inputs, but pricing/mix helped: Gross margin percentage was 55.9% vs 55.7% last year (slightly up). Management attributed the margin improvement to pricing actions and product mix, partially offset by higher aluminum can costs, freight-in, and mix/cost pressures. Operating expenses rose (selling expenses up meaningfully as marketing increased), but operating income increased 17.2% to $740.4M and adjusted operating income to $748.1M.