On Friday, Constellation Brands
Third quarter sales fell short of market expectations.
Constellation Brands posted a third quarter comparable profit of $3.19, topping LSEG's estimate of $3, on sales of $2.47 billion that came short of analyst estimates of $2.54 billion. Sales rose 1.4% YoY while analysts expected 2.6%. When it comes to premium wines and spirits, organic net sales tanked 7%, with the Corona beer maker now expecting an annual drop of 7% to 9% for the segment, as opposed to its prior expectation of a mere 0.5% fall.
Unlike the premium segment, its beer brands have benefited from customers choosing smaller pack sizes, as well as from the backlash its rival Anheuser-Busch InBev
Its beer rival and craft brewing pioneer, Boston Beer
The globally renown Constellation does not have to worry about its beer business, but it has plenty of other challenges as it operates in a tough environment.
Argus analysts believe the globally renown producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits is likely to benefit from high single-digit growth in its beer business as consumers continue to pivot towards more affordable offerings,challenges remain in the form of stubbornly high packaging costs, intense competition from craft brewers, along with higher operating expenses. Although it reported a weak quarter, Constellation reiterated its fiscal 2024 comparable profit forecast in the range between $12.00 and $12.20 per share.
DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as investing advice.