UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  November 8, 2017

 

Monster Beverage Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

001-18761

 

47-1809393

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

1 Monster Way

Corona, California 92879
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

(951) 739 - 6200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o                                    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o                                    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o                                    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o                                    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company o

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

 

 

 



 

Item 2.02 Results of Operation and Financial Condition.

 

On November 8, 2017, Monster Beverage Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release relating to its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017, a copy of which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.  The press release did not include certain financial statements, related footnotes and certain other financial information that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

On November 8, 2017, the Company will conduct a conference call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time.  The call will be open to interested investors through a live audio web broadcast via the internet at www.monsterbevcorp.com in the “Events & Presentations” section.  For those who are not able to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived for approximately one year on the website.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release dated November 8, 2017.

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

Monster Beverage Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: November 8, 2017

/s/ Hilton H. Schlosberg

 

-------------------------------------

 

Hilton H. Schlosberg

 

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors,

 

President and Chief Financial Officer

 


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

PondelWilkinson Inc.

 

1880 Century Park East, Suite 350

 

Los Angeles, CA 90067

 

 

Investor Relations

 

T

(310) 279 5980

Strategic Public Relations

 

F

(310) 279 5988

 

 

W

www.pondel.com

 

CONTACTS:

Rodney C. Sacks

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

(951) 739-6200

 

 

NEWS

RELEASE

Hilton H. Schlosberg

Vice Chairman

(951) 739-6200

 

Roger S. Pondel / Judy Lin Sfetcu

 

PondelWilkinson Inc.

 

(310) 279-5980

 

MONSTER BEVERAGE REPORTS 2017 THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

-- Third Quarter Net Sales Rise 15.4 percent to $909.5 million --

 

-- Third Quarter Net Income Increases 14.1 percent to $218.7 million --

 

-- Third Quarter Net Income per diluted share increases 15.1 percent to $0.38 per share --

 

-- Third Quarter Distribution Termination Expenses were $15.9 million --

 

Corona, CA -- November 8, 2017 -- Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ: MNST) today reported financial results for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2017.

 

Third Quarter Results

 

Net sales for the 2017 third quarter increased 15.4 percent to $909.5 million from $788.0 million in the same period last year.  Gross sales for the 2017 third quarter increased 14.1 percent to $1.04 billion from $913.3 million for the same period last year.

Net sales for the Company’s Monster Energy® Drinks segment, which is comprised of the Company’s Monster Energy® drinks, Monster HydroTM energy drinks and Mutant® Super Soda drinks, increased 16.6 percent to $827.7 million for the 2017 third quarter, from $710.1 million for the same period last year.  Net sales for the Company’s Strategic Brands segment, which includes the various energy drink brands acquired from The Coca-Cola Company, increased 6.2 percent to $76.6 million for the 2017 third quarter, from $72.1 million in the comparable 2016 quarter. Net sales for the Company’s Other segment, which includes certain products of American Fruits & Flavors (“AFF”) sold to independent third parties, were $5.2 million for the 2017 third quarter, compared with $5.7 million in the 2016 third quarter.

Net sales to customers outside the United States increased 36.3 percent to $260.1 million in the 2017 third quarter, from $190.8 million in the corresponding quarter last year.

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Monster Beverage Corporation

2-2-2

 

Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, for the 2017 third quarter, decreased to 62.6 percent from 63.8 percent for the comparable 2016 third quarter, primarily attributable to geographical and product sales mix as well as to increases in other costs.

Operating expenses for the 2017 third quarter were $252.3 million, compared with $212.6 million in the 2016 third quarter. Included in operating expenses were distributor termination expenses of $15.9 million and $4.7 million for the 2017 and 2016 third quarters, respectively.

Distribution costs as a percentage of net sales were 3.2 percent for the 2017 third quarter, compared with 3.1 percent in the third quarter last year.

Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales for the 2017 third quarter were 12.7 percent, compared with 12.1 percent in the third quarter last year.

General and administrative expenses for the 2017 third quarter were $107.5 million, or 11.8 percent of net sales, compared with $92.5 million, or 11.7 percent of net sales, for the 2016 third quarter.  Included in general and administrative expenses were distributor termination expenses of $15.9 million and $4.7 million for the 2017 and 2016 third quarters, respectively. General and administrative expenses, excluding distributor terminations, were 10.1 percent of net sales for the 2017 third quarter, compared with 11.1 percent of net sales for the 2016 third quarter. Stock-based compensation (a non-cash item) was $13.3 million for the third quarter of 2017, compared with $12.1 million in the third quarter last year.

Operating income for the 2017 third quarter increased to $317.4 million from $290.4 million in the 2016 third quarter.

The effective tax rate for the 2017 third quarter was 31.9 percent, compared with 33.8 percent in the same period last year.

Net income for the 2017 third quarter increased 14.1 percent to $218.7 million from $191.6 million in the same period last year.  Net income per diluted share for the 2017 third quarter increased 15.1 percent to $0.38 from $0.33 in the third quarter of 2016. The Company estimates that distributor termination expenses in the 2017 third quarter reduced reported earnings by approximately $0.02 per share, after tax.

 

Rodney C. Sacks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The strategic alignment of our distribution system with Coca-Cola system bottlers continues to progress well.  During the third quarter, we successfully transitioned Nicaragua and Vietnam to Coca-Cola bottlers and commenced distribution of Monster Energy® in Georgia, Kuwait and Taiwan in the quarter.  In October 2017, we launched or transitioned the Monster Energy® brand in a number of smaller countries and are currently planning for further launches or transitions in other countries.  We are also planning a relaunch in India. We are in the process of launching Espresso Monster™ in 8.4 oz. cans in two flavors, as well as NOS® Nitro Mango in 16 oz. cans, in the United States.  Further new product launches are planned for 2018,” Sacks added.

 

 

 

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Monster Beverage Corporation

3-3-3

 

2017 Nine Months

 

Net sales for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 increased 11.5 percent to $2.6 billion from $2.3 billion for the same period in 2016. Gross sales for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 increased 11.0 percent to $2.9 billion from $2.6 billion for the same period in 2016.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 63.9 percent for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017, compared with 62.9 percent for the comparable period in 2016.

Operating expenses for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 were $702.4 million, compared with $610.3 million in the same period last year. Included in operating expenses were distributor termination expenses of $35.9 million and $33.4 million for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Included in operating expenses for the comparable 2016 period were AFF transaction related expenses of $4.5 million and stock repurchase expenses of $1.6 million.

Operating income for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 was $931.7 million, compared with $833.6 million for the comparable period in 2016.

Net income for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 was $619.4 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, compared with $539.7 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2016. The effective tax rate was 33.7 percent for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017, versus 35.2 percent for the comparable period in 2016.   The Company estimates that distributor termination expenses for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 reduced reported earnings by approximately $0.04 per share, after tax.

 

 

Investor Conference Call

 

The Company will host an investor conference call today, November 8, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time).  The conference call will be open to all interested investors through a live audio web broadcast via the internet at www.monsterbevcorp.com in the “Events & Presentations” section.  For those who are not able to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived for approximately one year on the website.

 

 

Monster Beverage Corporation

 

Based in Corona, California, Monster Beverage Corporation is a holding company and conducts no operating business except through its consolidated subsidiaries.  The Company’s subsidiaries develop and market energy drinks, including Monster Energy® energy drinks, Monster Energy Ultra® energy drinks, Monster Energy Extra Strength Nitrous Technology® energy drinks, Java Monster® non-carbonated coffee + energy drinks, Espresso Monster™ espresso + energy drinks, Monster Rehab® non-carbonated energy drinks with electrolytes, Muscle Monster® energy shakes, Übermonster® energy drinks, Monster Hydro™ energy drinks, NOS® energy drinks, Full Throttle® energy drinks, Burn® energy drinks, Samurai® energy drinks, Relentless® energy drinks, Mother® energy drinks, Power Play® energy drinks, BU® energy drinks, Nalu® energy drinks, BPM® energy drinks, Gladiator® energy drinks, and Ultra® energy drinks.  The Company’s subsidiaries also develop and market Mutant® Super Soda drinks.  For more information, visit www.monsterbevcorp.com.

 

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Monster Beverage Corporation

4-4-4

 

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Gross sales is used internally by management as an indicator of and to monitor operating performance, including sales performance of particular products, salesperson performance, product growth or declines and overall Company performance. The use of gross sales allows evaluation of sales performance before the effect of any promotional items, which can mask certain performance issues. We therefore believe that the disclosure of gross sales provides a useful measure of our operating performance. Gross sales is not a measure that is recognized under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and should not be considered as an alternative to net sales, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be used alone as an indicator of operating performance in place of net sales. Additionally, gross sales may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, as gross sales has been defined by our internal reporting practices. In addition, gross sales may not be realized in the form of cash receipts as promotional payments and allowances may be deducted from payments received from certain customers.

 

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this announcement may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws, as amended, regarding the expectations of management with respect to our future operating results and other future events including revenues and profitability.  The Company cautions that these statements are based on management’s current knowledge and expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the control of the Company, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from the statements made herein.  Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: our ability to recognize benefits from The Coca-Cola Company transaction and the American Fruits & Flavors transaction; the effect of The Coca-Cola Company’s refranchising initiative, our ability to introduce and increase sales of both existing and new products; our ability to implement the share repurchase program; unanticipated litigation concerning the Company’s products; changes in consumer preferences; changes in demand due to obesity and other perceived health concerns, including concerns relating to certain ingredients in our products or packages; changes in demand due to product safety concerns; changes in demand due to both domestic and international economic conditions; activities and strategies of competitors, including the introduction of new products and competitive pricing and/or marketing of similar products; actual performance of the parties under the new distribution agreements; potential disruptions arising out of the transition of certain territories to new distributors; changes in sales levels by existing distributors; unanticipated costs incurred in connection with the termination of existing distribution agreements or the transition to new distributors; changes in the price and/or availability of raw materials; other supply issues, including the availability of products and/or suitable production facilities including limitations on co-packing availability and retort production; product distribution and placement decisions by retailers and effects of retailer consolidation; unfavorable resolution of tax matters; changes in governmental regulation; the imposition of new and/or increased excise sales and/or other taxes on our products; criticism of energy drinks and/or the energy drink market generally; our ability to satisfy all criteria set forth in any U.S. model energy drink guidelines; the impact of proposals to limit or restrict the sale of energy drinks to minors and/or persons below a specified age and/or restrict the venues and/or the size of containers in which energy drinks can be sold; unforeseen economic and political changes and local or international catastrophic events; or political, legislative or other governmental actions or events, including the outcome of any state attorney general, government and/or quasi-government agency inquiries, in one or more regions in which we operate.  For a more detailed discussion of these and other risks that could affect our operating results, see the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

#   #   #

(tables below)

 

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MONSTER BEVERAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER INFORMATION

FOR THE THREE- AND NINE-MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 AND 2016

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)                                                                                                                     

 

 

 

Three-Months Ended

 

Nine-Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales1

 

$

909,476

 

$

787,954

 

$

2,558,690

 

$

2,295,628

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

339,767

 

284,979

 

924,610

 

851,741

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit1

 

569,709

 

502,975

 

1,634,080

 

1,443,887

 

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales

 

62.6%

 

63.8%

 

63.9%

 

62.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses2

 

252,337

 

212,600

 

702,405

 

610,277

 

Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales

 

27.7%

 

27.0%

 

27.5%

 

26.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income1,2

 

317,372

 

290,375

 

931,675

 

833,610

 

Operating income as a percentage of net sales

 

34.9%

 

36.9%

 

36.4%

 

36.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and other income (expense), net

 

3,996

 

(1,037)

 

2,103

 

(651)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes1,2

 

321,368

 

289,338

 

933,778

 

832,959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

102,624

 

97,695

 

314,422

 

293,221

 

Income taxes as a percentage of income before taxes

 

31.9%

 

33.8%

 

33.7%

 

35.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income1,2

 

$

218,744

 

$

191,643

 

$

619,356

 

$

539,738

 

Net income as a percentage of net sales

 

24.1%

 

24.3%

 

24.2%

 

23.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.34

 

$

1.09

 

$

0.91

 

Diluted

 

$

0.38

 

$

0.33

 

$

1.07

 

$

0.89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

567,878

 

571,137

 

567,550

 

594,219

 

Diluted

 

578,368

 

583,293

 

577,964

 

606,279

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Case sales (in thousands) (in 192-ounce case equivalents)

 

96,184

 

82,767

 

273,409

 

242,994

 

Average net sales per case3

 

$

9.40

 

$

9.45

 

$

9.30

 

$

9.40

 

 

1Includes $11.4 million and $8.4 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, related to the recognition of deferred revenue. Includes $31.6 million and $28.6 million for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, related to the recognition of deferred revenue.

 

²Includes $15.9 million and $4.7 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of distributor termination costs.
Includes $
35.9 million and $33.4 million for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of distributor termination costs.

 

3Excludes Other segment net sales of $5.2 million and $5.7 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, comprised of sales of AFF Third-Party Products to independent third-party customers as these sales do not have unit case equivalents. Excludes Other segment net sales of $16.9 million and $12.1 million for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, comprised of sales of AFF Third-Party Products to independent third-party customers as these sales do not have unit case equivalents.

 



 

MONSTER BEVERAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 AND DECEMBER 31, 2016

(In Thousands, Except Par Value) (Unaudited)                                                                                                                                     

 

 

 

September 30,
2017

 

December 31,
2016

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

465,559

 

$

377,582

 

Short-term investments

 

630,348

 

220,554

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

535,336

 

448,051

 

The Coca-Cola Company transaction receivable

 

-

 

125,000

 

Inventories

 

213,341

 

161,971

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

46,095

 

32,562

 

Prepaid income taxes

 

43,618

 

66,550

 

Total current assets

 

1,934,297

 

1,432,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS

 

7,003

 

2,394

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

 

225,421

 

173,343

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

 

158,739

 

159,556

 

GOODWILL

 

1,331,643

 

1,331,643

 

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

 

1,033,481

 

1,032,635

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

18,322

 

21,630

 

Total Assets

 

$

4,708,906

 

$

4,153,471

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

229,551

 

$

193,270

 

Accrued liabilities

 

112,732

 

79,526

 

Accrued promotional allowances

 

158,824

 

110,237

 

Accrued distributor terminations

 

15,656

 

8,184

 

Deferred revenue

 

43,566

 

41,672

 

Accrued compensation

 

27,199

 

30,043

 

Income taxes payable

 

10,156

 

7,657

 

Total current liabilities

 

597,684

 

470,589

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFERRED REVENUE

 

342,249

 

353,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

 

819

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock - $0.005 par value; 1,250,000 shares authorized; 625,132 shares issued and 563,959 outstanding as of September 30, 2017; 623,201 shares issued and 566,566 outstanding as of December 31, 2016

 

3,126

 

3,116

 

Additional paid-in-capital

 

4,111,781

 

4,051,245

 

Retained earnings

 

2,726,904

 

2,107,548

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(15,533)

 

(23,249)

 

Common stock in treasury, at cost; 61,173 and 56,635 shares as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively

 

(3,058,124)

 

(2,808,951)

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

3,768,154

 

3,329,709

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

4,708,906

 

$

4,153,471