Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

Mit dem Ende der Q1-Berichtssaison werfen wir einen Blick auf die besten und schwächsten Ergebnisse dieses Quartals in der Getränke-, Alkohol- und Tabakbranche, darunter Brown-Forman (NYSE:BF.B) und seine Wettbewerber.

Die Ergebnisse dieser Unternehmen werden von Markenstärke, Marketingstrategien und Veränderungen der Verbraucherpräferenzen beeinflusst. Veränderte Konsummuster zeigen sich besonders im Aufstieg von Cannabis, Craft-Bier und E-Zigaretten sowie im anhaltenden Rückgang von Limonade und Zigaretten. Unternehmen, die in Innovationen investieren, um Verbrauchertrends aufzugreifen, können von einer erheblichen Nachfrage profitieren, während Unternehmen, die Trends ignorieren, stagnierende Absatzmengen erleben können. Durch soziale Medien sind außerdem die Kosten für den Aufbau einer Marke von Grund auf deutlich gesunken, sodass neue Anbieter Marktanteile etablierter Unternehmen gewinnen können.

Die 14 von uns beobachteten Getränke-, Alkohol- und Tabakaktien meldeten ein zufriedenstellendes Q1. Zusammen übertrafen ihre Umsätze die Konsensschätzungen der Analysten um 1,3 %, während die Umsatzprognose für das nächste Quartal 2,2 % darüber lag.

In dieser Zeit hatten die Aktienkurse der Unternehmen eine schwierige Phase. Im Durchschnitt fielen sie seit der Veröffentlichung der jüngsten Ergebnisse um 5,4 %.

Brown-Forman (NYSE:BF.B)

Brown-Forman ist vor allem für seinen Whiskey Jack Daniel’s bekannt und ein Getränkeunternehmen mit einem breiten Portfolio an Wein- und Spirituosenmarken.

Brown-Forman meldete einen Umsatz von 912 Millionen US-Dollar, 2 % mehr als im Vorjahr. Dieses Ergebnis übertraf die Erwartungen der Analysten um 3,5 %. Trotz des Umsatzübertreffens war es für das Unternehmen ein gemischtes Quartal: Die Bruttomarge übertraf die Analystenschätzungen deutlich, während der Gewinn je Aktie erheblich darunter lag. Gesamtumsatz von Brown-Forman

Interessanterweise ist die Aktie seit der Veröffentlichung um 6,6 % gestiegen und wird derzeit zu 26,39 US-Dollar gehandelt.

Lesen Sie hier unseren vollständigen Bericht zu Brown-Forman; er ist kostenlos.

Bestes Q1: Vita Coco (NASDAQ:COCO)

The Vita Coco Company wurde 2004 gegründet und ging 2021 an die Börse. Sie bietet Kokoswasserprodukte an.

Vita Coco meldete einen Umsatz von 216,2 Millionen US-Dollar, 28,1 % mehr als im Vorjahr, und übertraf die Analystenerwartungen um 3 %. Das Unternehmen hatte ein herausragendes Quartal und übertraf die Analystenschätzungen sowohl beim Gewinn je Aktie als auch bei der Bruttomarge.

Vita Coco erhöhte die Jahresprognose am stärksten in der Gruppe. Obwohl das Quartal im Vergleich zu den Wettbewerbern gut ausfiel, scheint der Markt mit den Ergebnissen unzufrieden zu sein: Die Aktie ist seit der Veröffentlichung um 22,1 % gefallen. Derzeit wird sie zu 57,98 US-Dollar gehandelt.

Ist jetzt der richtige Zeitpunkt, Vita Coco zu kaufen? Rufen Sie hier unsere vollständige Analyse der Ergebnisse auf; sie ist kostenlos.

Fortsetzung der Geschichte

Schwächstes Q1: Celsius (NASDAQ:CELH)

Celsius bietet Energydrinks mit natürlichen Inhaltsstoffen für Fitness und Gewichtsmanagement an; Grundlage wichtiger Produkte ist die proprietäre MetaPlus-Formel.

Celsius meldete einen Umsatz von 817,9 Millionen US-Dollar, 10,6 % mehr als im Vorjahr, und blieb damit 6,2 % unter den Analystenerwartungen. Das Quartal war enttäuschend: Das Unternehmen verfehlte die Analystenschätzungen beim EBITDA und beim Gewinn je Aktie deutlich.

Celsius schnitt im Vergleich mit den Analystenschätzungen am schwächsten unter den Wettbewerbern ab. Wie erwartet ist die Aktie seit den Ergebnissen um 2 % gefallen und wird derzeit zu 28,57 US-Dollar gehandelt.

Lesen Sie hier unsere vollständige Analyse der Ergebnisse von Celsius.

Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ:KDP)

Keurig Dr Pepper entstand 2018 aus dem Zusammenschluss von Keurig Green Mountain und Dr Pepper Snapple. Das Unternehmen für Basiskonsumgüter verfügt über ein Getränkeportfolio, zu dem Limonaden, Kaffee und Säfte gehören.

Keurig Dr Pepper meldete einen Umsatz von 7,31 Milliarden US-Dollar, 75,6 % mehr als im Vorjahr. Dieser Wert übertraf die Analystenerwartungen um 0,9 %. Insgesamt war es ein gemischtes Quartal: Die Analystenschätzungen zum Gewinn je Aktie wurden ebenfalls übertroffen, während die Umsatzprognose für das Gesamtjahr den Erwartungen entsprach.

Keurig Dr Pepper erzielte das schnellste Umsatzwachstum der Gruppe. Die Aktie ist seit der Veröffentlichung um 2,8 % gestiegen und wird derzeit zu 31,60 US-Dollar gehandelt.

Lesen Sie hier unseren vollständigen, umsetzbaren Bericht zu Keurig Dr Pepper; er ist kostenlos.

PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP)

PepsiCo blickt auf eine mehr als hundertjährige Geschichte zurück und ist heute ein bekannter Lebensmittel- und Getränkekonzern, der vor allem für seine Flaggschiff-Limonade bekannt ist.

PepsiCo meldete einen Umsatz von 25,27 Milliarden US-Dollar, 5,6 % mehr als im Vorjahr. Dieses Ergebnis übertraf die Analystenerwartungen um 1,3 %. Das Quartal war zufriedenstellend; auch die Analystenschätzungen zur Bruttomarge wurden ordentlich übertroffen.

Die Aktie ist seit der Veröffentlichung um 1,9 % gestiegen und wird derzeit zu 126,08 US-Dollar gehandelt.

Lesen Sie hier unseren vollständigen, umsetzbaren Bericht zu PepsiCo; er ist kostenlos.

Marktupdate

Im vergangenen Jahr mussten Anleger wiederholt dieselbe Frage beantworten: Was ist das größte Marktrisiko? Die Antwort hat sich mehrmals geändert, und jede Veränderung hat die Marktführerschaft neu geprägt.

Ende 2025 und Anfang 2026 wurde künstliche Intelligenz zur wichtigsten Unsicherheit am Markt. Anleger fragten sich, ob KI die Preissetzungsmacht von Softwareunternehmen schwächen und Wettbewerbsvorteile aushöhlen würde, da sich früher differenzierte Produkte mit KI leichter nachbilden ließen.

Im Frühjahr rückte die Technologie gegenüber geopolitischen Themen in den Hintergrund. Der Konflikt der USA mit Iran wurde vorübergehend zum dominierenden Marktthema und weckte Sorgen über Ölpreise, Inflation und globales Wachstum. Als die Energiemärkte jedoch geordnet blieben und die Befürchtungen einer längeren Angebotsunterbrechung nachließen, wandten sich Anleger schnell wieder den Fundamentaldaten zu.

Möchten Sie in Unternehmen mit starken Fundamentaldaten investieren? Sehen Sie sich unsere Momentum-Aktien an und fügen Sie sie Ihrer Beobachtungsliste hinzu. Diese Unternehmen sind auf Wachstum ausgerichtet, unabhängig von der politischen oder makroökonomischen Lage.

Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 8, 2026 – Today, Zacks Equity as Anheuser-Busch InBev BUD, Diageo Plc DEO, Constellation Brands Inc. STZ, Brown-Forman Corp. BF.B and Molson Coors Beverage Co. TAP

Industry: Alcohol

Link: https://www.zacks.com/

commentary/3001844/5-alcohol-

stocks-to-watch-as-innovation-

fuels-industry-growth

Players in the Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry are creating growth avenues through ready-to-drink cocktails, low- and no-alcohol offerings, and broader portfolio innovation. These products address the demand for convenience, variety, moderation and affordability while helping companies capture new drinking occasions. Gen Z also remains an important long-term opportunity, with younger legal-drinking-age consumers favoring discovery, social experiences, perceived value and distinctive brands. This supports investment in experiential marketing, occasion-based products and targeted innovation.

However, tariffs could pressure U.S. beverage alcohol companies by raising costs for imported packaging, materials and beverages, particularly for businesses with global supply chains. Companies may need to absorb these costs or raise prices, potentially hurting margins or demand. At the same time, persistent softness in alcohol consumption, cost-of-living pressures, trading down and moderation trends could weigh on volumes, pricing power and earnings growth, especially for brands with weaker differentiation or limited pricing flexibility.

Leading players such asAnheuser-Busch InBev, Diageo Plc, Constellation Brands Inc., Brown-Forman Corp. and Molson Coors Beverage Co. look well-placed to capitalize on innovation trends.

About the Industry

The Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry mainly comprises producers, importers, exporters, marketers and sellers of alcoholic beverages like beer, craft beer, ciders, wine, rum, whiskey, liqueurs, vodka, tequila, champagnes, brandy, amaretto, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails and malt. Some industry players also produce and sell non-alcoholic beverages like carbonated soft drinks, sparkling waters, bottled water, energy drinks, powdered and natural juices, and RTD teas.

The companies sell products through wholesalers and retailers like supermarkets, warehouse clubs, grocery stores, convenience stores, package stores, drug stores and other retail outlets. The industry participants also sell beer directly to consumers in cans and bottles at restaurants, pubs, bars and liquor stores. Some brewers operate brewpubs or tasting rooms at breweries, offering consumers the freshest beer.

Story Continues

What's Shaping the Future of Beverages - Alcohol Industry

Innovation Beyond Traditional Alcohol Creates Growth Runway:Despite softer industry volumes, beverage companies are unlocking growth opportunities through innovation. Demand for ready-to-drink cocktails continues to outpace most traditional alcohol categories as consumers seek convenience, flavor variety and affordability.

At the same time, low- and no-alcohol beverages are evolving into a meaningful profit pool rather than a niche offering, attracting consumers who want moderation without abandoning social drinking. Leading brewers and spirits companies are expanding product portfolios to address these changing occasions, allowing them to capture incremental demand instead of relying solely on traditional alcohol consumption. Successful innovation could offset category pressures and strengthen long-term market positioning.

Gen Z Engagement & Experience-Led Drinking Offer Opportunities:Younger legal-drinking-age consumers remain an important long-term opportunity for the U.S. beverage alcohol industry. Rather than abandoning alcohol altogether, Gen Z consumers are becoming more selective about when, where and what they drink, placing greater emphasis on discovery, social experiences and perceived value.

Recent data indicates that Gen Z participation in alcohol has remained relatively stable, while this group also shows strong engagement with on-premise channels. This creates opportunities for beverage companies to drive demand through distinctive brands, experiential marketing, occasion-based offerings and targeted innovation that resonates with evolving consumer preferences.

Tariffs Could Squeeze Margins: Tariffs are emerging as a meaningful overhang for U.S. beverage alcohol companies with global sourcing and international supply chains. Higher duties on imported glass bottles, aluminum, packaging materials and select beverage imports can raise input costs, forcing producers to either absorb the increase or pass it on to consumers. While premium brands have greater pricing flexibility, mass-market labels remain more vulnerable to demand erosion from higher shelf prices. Investors should watch for margin pressure, procurement disruptions and slower earnings growth, particularly among companies with significant import exposure or limited domestic sourcing capabilities.

Beyond tariffs, the biggest challenge is persistent softness in overall alcohol consumption. Cost-of-living pressures are prompting consumers to drink less, trade down or become more selective about purchases, while moderation trends are also weighing on demand. This environment could continue to pressure volumes, pricing power and margins, particularly for brands lacking strong value propositions or differentiated premium offerings.

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects

The Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry is a 17-stock group within the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #107, placing it at the top 43% of more than 250 Zacks industries.

The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

The industry's positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gradually gaining confidence in this group's earnings growth potential.

Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let us take a look at the industry's recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.

Industry Underperforms S&P 500

The Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry has outperformed the broader sector and underperformed the S&P 500 in the past year.

The stocks in the industry have collectively returned 12.5% in the past year, whereas the Zacks Consumer Staples sector has risen 2.2%. Meanwhile, the Zacks S&P 500 composite has rallied 16.1%.

Beverages - Alcohol Industry's Valuation

Based on the forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, commonly used to value Consumer Staples stocks, the industry is currently trading at 14.22X compared with the S&P 500's 19.85X and the sector's 16.17X.

Over the last five years, the industry traded as high as 24.03X, as low as 13.77X and at the median of 17.87X.

5 Alcohol Beverages Stocks to Keep a Close Eye On

One stock in the Zacks Beverages – Alcohol space currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), but none of the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We have selected four stocks with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) to watch from the same industry. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Let us have a look at the companies.

Diageo:The stock of this London-based leading beverage company has declined 11.4% in the past year. DEO operates in approximately 180 countries, and is involved in producing, distilling, brewing, bottling, packaging, and distributing spirits, wine and beer. The company continues to place innovation and consumer moderation at the center of its long-term growth strategy, addressing evolving consumption patterns, and diversifying its portfolio. Innovation remains a key driver, with strong momentum across tequila, whisky, beer and RTD formats.

Equally important is Diageo's push into moderation, wherein it has established clear leadership in non-alcoholic spirits. The company is refining its $2-billion productivity program to drive efficiency across the business while ensuring long-term sustainable growth. A key focus is balancing cost savings with strategic reinvestment, particularly in marketing and brand activation. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Diageo's fiscal 2027 EPS has moved up 3.4% in the past 30 days. The consensus estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings suggests growth of 2.1% from the year-ago period's reported figure. The company currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1.

Anheuser-Busch InBev: Also known as AB InBev, this is a global brewing leader with a portfolio of iconic brands spanning diverse geographies. Its leading positions across key markets and expansive global footprint provide meaningful scale advantages, enabling efficient operations and the ability to grow multi-country brands worldwide. The company continues to benefit from resilient consumer demand for its core brands, supported by strong business momentum, driven by disciplined execution, sustained brand investment and an accelerated digital transformation agenda. Premiumization remains a central growth lever, as consumers increasingly trade up within the beer category.

Beyond core beer, AB InBev is steadily expanding its Beyond Beer portfolio, encompassing ready-to-drink offerings, such as canned wines and cocktails, along with hard seltzers, ciders and flavored malt beverages. This diversification strategy is enhancing relevance across occasions and consumer segments, while providing an incremental growth runway and supporting top-line momentum. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AB InBev's 2026 sales and earnings suggests growth of 8.6% and 17.4% from the year-ago period's reported figures. The consensus mark for the company's 2026 earnings has moved up by a penny in the past seven days. The Zacks Rank #3 stock has rallied 27% in the past year.

Constellation Brands: The Victor, NY-based third-largest beer company and a leading, high-end wine company in the United States continues to benefit from a sharp focus on brand building and a steady cadence of innovation. The company's premiumization strategy remains a key growth driver, led by the sustained strength of the Modelo and Corona brand families, and continued traction across its Power Brands portfolio. Its beer business is benefiting from premium and above-premium trends, supported by growth in traditional beer and adjacent categories, such as flavored beer, seltzers, RTD spirits and flavored malt beverages.

STZ is actively investing to extend the momentum of its Power Brands, aligning innovation with evolving consumer preferences and delivering successful product launches. Meanwhile, the company's digital momentum continues to build through platforms such as Instacart, Drizly and retailer-owned channels, reflecting consumers' growing preference for convenience-driven purchasing. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STZ's fiscal 2027 earnings per share has moved down 0.3% in the past 30 days. The consensus estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings suggests a decline of 0.1% from the year-ago period's reported figure. The Zacks Rank #3 stock has lost 19% in the past year.

Brown-Forman:Based in Louisville, KY, this is a global spirits company that manufactures, distills, bottles, imports, exports, markets and sells a broad portfolio of premium alcoholic beverages. The company's growth strategy is anchored in premiumization, with a clear focus on high-quality, premium and super-premium spirits that support brand equity and margin resilience. The portfolio has been streamlined around core power brands such as Jack Daniel's and Woodford Reserve, complemented by successful additions like the Jack Daniel's and Coca-Cola RTD, and the integration of super-premium labels Gin Mare and Diplomático.

Emerging markets continue to provide a strong growth offset, driven by rising middle-class demand and momentum across the Jack Daniel's family. Disciplined pricing, innovation, distribution evolution and tighter cost-control underpin long-term value creation despite near-term pressures. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BF.B's fiscal 2027 sales and earnings suggests growth of 0.5% and 9.2%, respectively, from the year-ago period's reported figures. The consensus mark for the Zacks Rank #3 company's fiscal 2026 earnings has been unchanged in the past 30 days. BF.B has declined 5.2% in the past year.

Molson Coors:The stock of this Chicago, IL-based leading beverage company has declined 19.1% in the past year. TAP is on track with its revitalization plan, focused on achieving sustainable top-line growth by streamlining its organization and reinvesting resources into its brands and capabilities. Investments, partnerships and product launches, which are part of its revitalization plan, have been aiding the company.

Molson Coors has been committed to increasing its market share through innovation and premiumization. Intending to accelerate portfolio premiumization, TAP has been aggressively growing its above-premium portfolio in the past few years. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Molson Coors' 2026 EPS has been unchanged in the past 30 days. The consensus estimate for the Zacks Rank #3 company's 2026 sales and earnings suggests declines of 0.7% and 11.3%, respectively, from the year-ago period's reported figures.

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Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

Players in the Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry are creating growth avenues through ready-to-drink cocktails, low- and no-alcohol offerings, and broader portfolio innovation. These products address the demand for convenience, variety, moderation and affordability while helping companies capture new drinking occasions. Gen Z also remains an important long-term opportunity, with younger legal-drinking-age consumers favoring discovery, social experiences, perceived value and distinctive brands. This supports investment in experiential marketing, occasion-based products and targeted innovation.

However, tariffs could pressure U.S. beverage alcohol companies by raising costs for imported packaging, materials and beverages, particularly for businesses with global supply chains. Companies may need to absorb these costs or raise prices, potentially hurting margins or demand. At the same time, persistent softness in alcohol consumption, cost-of-living pressures, trading down and moderation trends could weigh on volumes, pricing power and earnings growth, especially for brands with weaker differentiation or limited pricing flexibility.

Leading players such as Anheuser-Busch InBev BUD, Diageo Plc DEO, Constellation Brands Inc. STZ, Brown-Forman Corporation BF.B and Molson Coors Beverage Company TAP look well-placed to capitalize on innovation trends.

About the Industry

The Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry mainly comprises producers, importers, exporters, marketers and sellers of alcoholic beverages like beer, craft beer, ciders, wine, rum, whiskey, liqueurs, vodka, tequila, champagnes, brandy, amaretto, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails and malt. Some industry players also produce and sell non-alcoholic beverages like carbonated soft drinks, sparkling waters, bottled water, energy drinks, powdered and natural juices, and RTD teas. The companies sell products through wholesalers and retailers like supermarkets, warehouse clubs, grocery stores, convenience stores, package stores, drug stores and other retail outlets. The industry participants also sell beer directly to consumers in cans and bottles at restaurants, pubs, bars and liquor stores. Some brewers operate brewpubs or tasting rooms at breweries, offering consumers the freshest beer.

What's Shaping the Future of Beverages - Alcohol Industry

Innovation Beyond Traditional Alcohol Creates Growth Runway: Despite softer industry volumes, beverage companies are unlocking growth opportunities through innovation. Demand for ready-to-drink cocktails continues to outpace most traditional alcohol categories as consumers seek convenience, flavor variety and affordability. At the same time, low- and no-alcohol beverages are evolving into a meaningful profit pool rather than a niche offering, attracting consumers who want moderation without abandoning social drinking. Leading brewers and spirits companies are expanding product portfolios to address these changing occasions, allowing them to capture incremental demand instead of relying solely on traditional alcohol consumption. Successful innovation could offset category pressures and strengthen long-term market positioning.

Gen Z Engagement & Experience-Led Drinking Offer Opportunities: Younger legal-drinking-age consumers remain an important long-term opportunity for the U.S. beverage alcohol industry. Rather than abandoning alcohol altogether, Gen Z consumers are becoming more selective about when, where and what they drink, placing greater emphasis on discovery, social experiences and perceived value. Recent data indicates that Gen Z participation in alcohol has remained relatively stable, while this group also shows strong engagement with on-premise channels. This creates opportunities for beverage companies to drive demand through distinctive brands, experiential marketing, occasion-based offerings and targeted innovation that resonates with evolving consumer preferences.

Tariffs Could Squeeze Margins: Tariffs are emerging as a meaningful overhang for U.S. beverage alcohol companies with global sourcing and international supply chains. Higher duties on imported glass bottles, aluminum, packaging materials and select beverage imports can raise input costs, forcing producers to either absorb the increase or pass it on to consumers. While premium brands have greater pricing flexibility, mass-market labels remain more vulnerable to demand erosion from higher shelf prices. Investors should watch for margin pressure, procurement disruptions and slower earnings growth, particularly among companies with significant import exposure or limited domestic sourcing capabilities.

Beyond tariffs, the biggest challenge is persistent softness in overall alcohol consumption. Cost-of-living pressures are prompting consumers to drink less, trade down or become more selective about purchases, while moderation trends are also weighing on demand. This environment could continue to pressure volumes, pricing power and margins, particularly for brands lacking strong value propositions or differentiated premium offerings.

Story Continues

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects

The Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry is a 17-stock group within the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #107, placing it at the top 43% of more than 250 Zacks industries.

The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

The industry's positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gradually gaining confidence in this group's earnings growth potential.

Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let us take a look at the industry's recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.

Industry Underperforms S&P 500

The Zacks Beverages – Alcohol industry has outperformed the broader sector and underperformed the S&P 500 in the past year.

The stocks in the industry have collectively returned 12.5% in the past year, whereas the Zacks Consumer Staples sector has risen 2.2%. Meanwhile, the Zacks S&P 500 composite has rallied 16.1%.

1-Year Price Performance

Beverages - Alcohol Industry's Valuation

Based on the forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, commonly used to value Consumer Staples stocks, the industry is currently trading at 14.22X compared with the S&P 500's 19.85X and the sector's 16.17X.

Over the last five years, the industry traded as high as 24.03X, as low as 13.77X and at the median of 17.87X, as the chart below shows.

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (Past 5 Years)

5 Alcohol Beverages Stocks to Keep a Close Eye on

One stock in the Zacks Beverages – Alcohol space currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), but none of the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We have selected four stocks with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) to watch from the same industry. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Let us have a look at the companies.

Diageo: The stock of this London-based leading beverage company has declined 11.4% in the past year. DEO operates in approximately 180 countries, and is involved in producing, distilling, brewing, bottling, packaging, and distributing spirits, wine and beer. The company continues to place innovation and consumer moderation at the center of its long-term growth strategy, addressing evolving consumption patterns, and diversifying its portfolio. Innovation remains a key driver, with strong momentum across tequila, whisky, beer and RTD formats.

Equally important is Diageo's push into moderation, wherein it has established clear leadership in non-alcoholic spirits. The company is refining its $2-billion productivity program to drive efficiency across the business while ensuring long-term sustainable growth. A key focus is balancing cost savings with strategic reinvestment, particularly in marketing and brand activation. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Diageo's fiscal 2027 EPS has moved up 3.4% in the past 30 days. The consensus estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings suggests growth of 2.1% from the year-ago period's reported figure. The company currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1.

Price & Consensus: DEO

Anheuser-Busch InBev: Also known as AB InBev, this is a global brewing leader with a portfolio of iconic brands spanning diverse geographies. Its leading positions across key markets and expansive global footprint provide meaningful scale advantages, enabling efficient operations and the ability to grow multi-country brands worldwide. The company continues to benefit from resilient consumer demand for its core brands, supported by strong business momentum, driven by disciplined execution, sustained brand investment and an accelerated digital transformation agenda. Premiumization remains a central growth lever, as consumers increasingly trade up within the beer category.

Beyond core beer, AB InBev is steadily expanding its Beyond Beer portfolio, encompassing ready-to-drink offerings, such as canned wines and cocktails, along with hard seltzers, ciders and flavored malt beverages. This diversification strategy is enhancing relevance across occasions and consumer segments, while providing an incremental growth runway and supporting top-line momentum. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AB InBev's 2026 sales and earnings suggests growth of 8.6% and 17.4% from the year-ago period's reported figures. The consensus mark for the company's 2026 earnings has moved up by a penny in the past seven days. The Zacks Rank #3 stock has rallied 27% in the past year.

Price & Consensus: BUD

Constellation Brands: The Victor, NY-based third-largest beer company and a leading, high-end wine company in the United States continues to benefit from a sharp focus on brand building and a steady cadence of innovation. The company's premiumization strategy remains a key growth driver, led by the sustained strength of the Modelo and Corona brand families, and continued traction across its Power Brands portfolio. Its beer business is benefiting from premium and above-premium trends, supported by growth in traditional beer and adjacent categories, such as flavored beer, seltzers, RTD spirits and flavored malt beverages.

STZ is actively investing to extend the momentum of its Power Brands, aligning innovation with evolving consumer preferences and delivering successful product launches. Meanwhile, the company's digital momentum continues to build through platforms such as Instacart, Drizly and retailer-owned channels, reflecting consumers' growing preference for convenience-driven purchasing. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STZ's fiscal 2027 earnings per share has moved down 0.3% in the past 30 days. The consensus estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings suggests a decline of 0.1% from the year-ago period's reported figure. The Zacks Rank #3 stock has lost 19% in the past year.

Price & Consensus: STZ

Brown-Forman: Based in Louisville, KY, this is a global spirits company that manufactures, distills, bottles, imports, exports, markets and sells a broad portfolio of premium alcoholic beverages. The company's growth strategy is anchored in premiumization, with a clear focus on high-quality, premium and super-premium spirits that support brand equity and margin resilience. The portfolio has been streamlined around core power brands such as Jack Daniel's and Woodford Reserve, complemented by successful additions like the Jack Daniel's and Coca-Cola RTD, and the integration of super-premium labels Gin Mare and Diplomático.

Emerging markets continue to provide a strong growth offset, driven by rising middle-class demand and momentum across the Jack Daniel's family. Disciplined pricing, innovation, distribution evolution and tighter cost-control underpin long-term value creation despite near-term pressures. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BF.B's fiscal 2027 sales and earnings suggests growth of 0.5% and 9.2%, respectively, from the year-ago period's reported figures. The consensus mark for the Zacks Rank #3 company's fiscal 2026 earnings has been unchanged in the past 30 days. BF.B has declined 5.2% in the past year.

Price & Consensus: BF.B

Molson Coors: The stock of this Chicago, IL-based leading beverage company has declined 19.1% in the past year. TAP is on track with its revitalization plan, focused on achieving sustainable top-line growth by streamlining its organization and reinvesting resources into its brands and capabilities. Investments, partnerships and product launches, which are part of its revitalization plan, have been aiding the company.

Molson Coors has been committed to increasing its market share through innovation and premiumization. Intending to accelerate portfolio premiumization, TAP has been aggressively growing its above-premium portfolio in the past few years. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Molson Coors' 2026 EPS has been unchanged in the past 30 days. The consensus estimate for the Zacks Rank #3 company's 2026 sales and earnings suggests declines of 0.7% and 11.3%, respectively, from the year-ago period's reported figures.

Price & Consensus: TAP

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The Boston Beer Company, Inc. SAM is stepping up innovation as it looks to tap faster-growing areas beyond traditional beer. Management continues to prioritize high-growth, margin-accretive opportunities that complement its core portfolio. Its Sinless Vodka Cocktails have launched in more than 30 states, offering a liquor-based cocktail with zero sugar, zero carbs and 100 calories per can. Boston Beer has also introduced LYTT Electric Coolers in more than five states. LYTT is a 15% ABV malt-based offering available in six flavors in a distinctive resealable 6.8-ounce single-serve package.

Early reception appears encouraging, although both brands remain in the development stage. Management said that wholesalers, retailers and drinkers have responded positively so far, but neither Sinless nor LYTT is expected to contribute meaningfully to 2026 volumes.

Still, the two innovations are expected to provide some shipment support in the back half of the year. Sinless has shown enough initial traction to support its rollout across roughly 30 states, though management plans to wait for more evidence before expanding further.

LYTT may require an even longer runway. Management described it as a "hand sell" product that needs specialized merchandising and cooler placement, rather than conventional chain distribution. Retailer support has been helped by attractive profitability, with LYTT's margins described as two to three times those of even higher-end beer. Boston Beer expects a more reliable read on both launches only by early 2027. That makes execution, distribution and repeat consumer demand key factors to watch as SAM broadens its innovation pipeline.

What Role Does Innovation Play for SAM's Peers?

Innovation remains a key growth lever across the alcoholic beverage industry, with Anheuser-Busch InBev BUD, Diageo Plc DEO and Brown-Forman Corporation BF.B using new products, brand extensions and evolving beverage formats to address changing consumer preferences and support long-term growth.

Innovation is becoming an important growth lever for Anheuser-Busch InBev, alias AB InBev, particularly beyond traditional beer. In second-quarter 2026, Beyond Beer revenues jumped 44%, led by the global expansion of Flying Fish and triple-digit growth from U.S. canned-cocktail brand Cutwater, which was the company's second-largest contributor to overall revenue growth. BUD is also widening its ready-to-drink exposure through BeatBox, helping expand its addressable market globally.

Innovation is an important growth lever for Diageo, especially in ready-to-drink offerings that extend consumption beyond traditional beer and spirits formats. In fiscal 2026, Diageo Beer Company grew organically by around 4%, led partly by Smirnoff RTD, while South Africa delivered strong double-digit growth, driven by RTDs. The company is also using flavor and format innovation in markets such as India, supported by savings that can fund selective innovation investments.

Innovation remains a key growth driver for Brown-Forman, particularly through its expanding RTD portfolio. New Mix posted strong double-digit growth in Mexico and is gaining traction in the United States, while el Jimador Spritz and Jack Daniel's Tennessee Blackberry & Lemonade are extending the company into new cocktail occasions. Management views RTDs as an important platform for consumer recruitment and future growth.

Story Continues

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Brown-Forman Corporation BF.B veröffentlichte die Ergebnisse des ersten Quartals des Geschäftsjahres 2027. Der Gewinn je Aktie betrug 38 Cent, stieg im Jahresvergleich um 6 % und entsprach der Konsensschätzung. Der Nettoumsatz sank um 1 % auf 911 Millionen US-Dollar und verfehlte die Konsensschätzung von 921,2 Millionen US-Dollar. Der Umsatz wurde durch das Ende der Korbel-Beziehung, geringere Verkäufe gebrauchter Fässer und die Schwäche im Tequila-Geschäft belastet. Der Umsatz mit trinkfertigen Produkten stieg um 20 %. Brown-Forman bekräftigte seine Prognose für das Geschäftsjahr 2027.

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Der Kalender wechselt diese Woche in den September und signalisiert – zumindest in diesem Haus – das Ende des Sommers, trotz allem, was ein Kalender über die Tagundnachtgleiche „offiziell“ sagt.

Wir haben in dieser Runde kaum eine sommerliche Flaute erlebt. Viel Aktivität aus dem Weißen Haus, dem KI-Handel, der Fed und dem Anleihemarkt sorgte dafür, dass der klassische Sommer-Autopilot, den sich einige Anleger vielleicht gewünscht hätten, in diesem Jahr nirgendwo zu finden war.

Die Aktien gehen mit einem Abstand von etwa 1 % zu Rekordhochs in die Woche, nachdem sie durch Nvidias Vertrauensschub für den KI-Handel und einen Anstieg der Ölströme durch die Straße von Hormus gestützt wurden, die laut Goldman Sachs inzwischen bei rund zwei Dritteln ihres Vorkriegsniveaus liegen.

Da die Berichtssaison weitgehend abgeschlossen ist, stehen die Fed, der Anleihemarkt und einige nicht ausgabebezogene Aspekte der KI-Transformation – SaaSpocalypse oder deren Ausbleiben – stärker im Mittelpunkt.

Dennoch gibt es im Kalender viel zu markieren: Quartalsergebnisse von Palo Alto Networks (PANW) und Dell Technologies (DELL) am Dienstag; Broadcom (AVGO), Snowflake (SNOW) und Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) am Mittwoch; sowie DocuSign (DOCU) und Victoria’s Secret (VSXY) am Donnerstag. Etwas für jeden.

An der Wirtschaftsfront führt der Arbeitsmarktbericht vom Freitag, begleitet von Daten zu offenen Stellen und Messungen der Wirtschaftsaktivität am Dienstag, Daten zu privaten Beschäftigtenzahlen am Mittwoch und Daten zu Stellenstreichungen am Donnerstag.

Warsh justiert die Anleihemärkte neu – und eine Zinserhöhung im September

Die Rede von Fed-Chef Kevin Warsh enthielt möglicherweise keine „Forward Guidance“. Der Vorsitzende verteidigte nachdrücklich die neue Strategie der Zentralbank, ihre Karten näher am Körper zu behalten.

Aber Warsh gab den Märkten dringend benötigte Klarheit: Obwohl Warsh umfassendere Inflationskennzahlen betrachtet, wurde der PCE prominent hervorgehoben; Warsh stimmt anderen Gouverneuren zu, dass die Inflation zu hoch ist und, am wichtigsten, dass die derzeitige Geldpolitik nicht besonders restriktiv ist.

Angesichts dieser Punkte auf dem Tisch ist es kein Wunder, dass der Anleihemarkt seine Einschätzung zurückfuhr und neu kalibrierte und nun eine deutlich höhere Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Zinserhöhung beim Treffen im September einpreist. Am Freitagnachmittag nach der Rede zeigte das FedWatch-Tool der CME eine Wahrscheinlichkeit von 60 % für eine Erhöhung, gegenüber nur 35 % am Vortag. Fed-Vorsitzender Kevin Warsh (rechts) spricht am 28. August 2026 beim Jackson Hole Economic Symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, mit Tiff Macklem, dem Gouverneur der Bank of Canada. (Natalie Behring/Getty Images)·Natalie Behring via Getty Images

Das mag mehr sein als am Vortag, aber dies ist weiterhin ein Münzwurf.

„Die heutige Rede lag zu Recht auf der restriktiven Seite der Bilanz“, bemerkte Rick Rieder von BlackRock. „Wir glauben keineswegs, dass sie eine Zinserhöhung im September notwendig macht, insbesondere da vor diesem Treffen noch weitere Beschäftigungs- und Inflationsberichte veröffentlicht werden.“

Story Continues

Trotz der veränderten Erwartungen werden Anleger die längerfristigen Anleiherenditen genau beobachten, die nach den Kommentaren des Vorsitzenden nicht viel Entlastung erfuhren – vielleicht teilweise, weil er die historische Verschuldung und die Defizite nicht angesprochen hat.

Da die Renditen weiterhin erschreckend hoch sind, scheint das Anleiheproblem nicht so bald zu verschwinden.

Der Arbeitsmarktbericht bleibt wichtig, während das September-Treffen der Fed näher rückt

Warsh und die Märkte haben sich fest auf die Seite der Preisstabilität im Mandat konzentriert, während die Inflation weiter hartnäckig zubeißt.

Da der Monatswechsel bevorsteht, ist es jedoch Zeit für einen weiteren Arbeitsmarktbericht. Die wirtschaftlichen Erwartungen deuten auf nichts Außergewöhnliches auf der Arbeitsmarktseite des Fed-Mandats hin. Die Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen scheint inmitten der starken Wirtschaft weitergegangen zu sein.

Da die Fed-Entscheidung in zwei Wochen noch offen ist, könnte dennoch schon eine geringe makroökonomische Nachricht die Entwicklung beeinflussen: Ein stärker als erwarteter Wert könnte FOMC-Mitgliedern, die eine Erhöhung sehen wollen, zusätzliche Hinweise geben, aber wegen der möglichen Kosten besorgt sind. Ein Schild für eine Jobmesse ist an der Fifth Avenue in New York City zu sehen. (Reuters/Andrew Kelly)·Reuters / REUTERS

„Wir erwarten eine moderate Erholung von vielleicht 65.000 im August, aber das Narrativ von wenigen Einstellungen und wenigen Entlassungen hält an“, schrieb der ING-Ökonom James Knightley in einer Mitteilung an Kunden. „Tarifbedingte Vorsicht und höhere Kreditkosten dürften dies für den Rest des Jahres aufrechterhalten.“

Der Arbeitsmarktbericht ist zunehmend auch zu einem eigenartigen Barometer für die Gesundheit der Wirtschaft geworden: Einerseits zeigt er Stärke, andererseits eine unheilvolle Kehrseite, da die Erwerbsbeteiligungsquote einbricht. Etwas, das Knightley zufolge „wahrscheinlich eine gewisse Ernüchterung widerspiegelt, angesichts der fehlenden Einstellungen in der Wirtschaft“.

Tim Cook übergibt den großen Apple an John Ternus

Dieser Newsletter ist nicht im Vorhersagegeschäft tätig. Aber gelegentlich, wenn wir gezwungen sind, einige Prognosen abzugeben, tun wir es. Und manchmal liegen wir sogar richtig.

Eine dieser Gelegenheiten betraf die Zukunft von Apple, als wir zu Beginn des Jahres 2025 Vorhersagen für das Jahr machten. Wir schrieben, dass Apple Intelligence keinen Durchbruch erzielen würde und dass dies keine Rolle spielen würde, weil Apple Apple ist und sich nicht in den KI-Hype verstricken müsse. (Ziemlich gute Vermutung.)

Wir gingen weiter und erklärten: Tim Cook bringt für den Rest seiner Amtszeit kein weiteres Produkt mehr bei dem Unternehmen auf den Markt. Da Cook diese Woche den CEO-Staffelstab an John Ternus übergibt, erwies sich diese gewagtere Einschätzung als wahr. Nach fast jedem Maßstab ist Cooks Erfolgsbilanz außergewöhnlich. Er beaufsichtigte das Wachstum der Marktkapitalisierung des Unternehmens von 350 Milliarden US-Dollar auf zwischen 4 und 5 Billionen US-Dollar. Er festigte das iPhone als gesellschaftliches Referenzgerät, als Portal zum Internet und als Begleiter im täglichen Leben, für viele Menschen so unverzichtbar wie ein äußeres Organ.

Unsere alte Prognose zu Cook entsprang jedoch einer langjährigen Kritik: Er ist kein kreatives Genie nach dem Vorbild von Steve Jobs, sondern eher ein geschickter Betreiber. Man kann das als wunderbare Eigenschaft betrachten, und die Aktionäre würden wahrscheinlich zustimmen. Apple Senior Vice President für Hardware Engineering John Ternus und CEO Tim Cook besuchen am 27. Juli 2026 die Premiere der vierten Staffel der Apple-TV-Serie „Ted Lasso“ auf July 27, 2026, i