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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 10, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Monster Beverage Corp
Entity Central Index Key	0000865752
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 27,920,735,052
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		566,619,343
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 377,582	$ 2,175,417
Short-term investments	220,554	744,610
Accounts receivable, net	448,051	352,955
TCCC Transaction receivable	125,000	125,000
Inventories	161,971	156,121
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	32,562	26,967
Prepaid income taxes	66,550	18,462
Total current assets	1,432,270	3,599,532
INVESTMENTS	2,394	15,348
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	173,343	97,354
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	159,556	140,468
GOODWILL	1,331,643	1,279,715
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net	1,032,635	427,986
OTHER ASSETS	21,630	10,874
Total Assets	4,153,471	5,571,277
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	193,270	144,763
Accrued liabilities	79,526	81,786
Accrued promotional allowances	110,237	115,530
Accrued distributor terminations	8,184	11,018
Deferred revenue	41,672	32,271
Accrued compensation	30,043	22,159
Income taxes payable	7,657	2,750
Total current liabilities	470,589	410,277
DEFERRED REVENUE	353,173	351,590
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock - $0.005 par value; 1,25,000 shares authorized; 623,201 shares issued and 566,566 outstanding as of December 31, 2016; 621,057 shares issued and 608,700 outstanding as of December 31, 2015	3,116	3,105
Additional paid-in capital	4,051,245	3,989,787
Retained earnings	2,107,548	1,394,863
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(23,249)	(21,878)
Common stock in treasury, at cost; 56,635 shares and 12,357 shares as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively	(2,808,951)	(556,467)
Total stockholders' equity	3,329,709	4,809,410
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 4,153,471	$ 5,571,277

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.005	$ 0.005
Common stock, shares authorized	1,250,000	1,250,000
Common stock, shares issued	623,201	621,057
Common stock, shares outstanding	566,566	608,700
Common stock in treasury, shares	56,635	12,357

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
NET SALES	$ 3,049,393	$ 2,722,564	$ 2,464,867
COST OF SALES	1,107,393	1,090,263	1,125,057
GROSS PROFIT	1,942,000	1,632,301	1,339,810
OPERATING EXPENSES	856,662	900,118	592,305
GAIN ON SALE OF MONSTER NON-ENERGY (NOTE 2)		161,470
OPERATING INCOME	1,085,338	893,653	747,505
OTHER EXPENSE, NET	5,653	2,105	1,717
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	1,079,685	891,548	745,788
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	367,000	344,815	262,603
NET INCOME	$ 712,685	$ 546,733	$ 483,185
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.21	$ 0.97	$ 0.96
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.19	$ 0.95	$ 0.92
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND COMMON STOCK EQUIVALENTS:
Basic (in shares)	587,874	566,448	501,771
Diluted (in shares)	599,819	577,758	522,855

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Parenthetical)	Oct. 14, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Stock split ratio	3
Common stock dividend percentage	200.00%

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income, as reported	$ 712,685	$ 546,733	$ 483,185
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(1,178)	(10,425)	(10,220)
Available-for-sale investments:
Change in net unrealized losses	(193)
Net change in available-for-sale investments	(193)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(1,371)	(10,425)	(10,220)
Comprehensive income	$ 711,314	$ 536,308	$ 472,965

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury stock.	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 3,090	$ 366,009	$ 1,847,325	$ (1,233)	$ (1,222,912)	$ 992,279
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	618,042				(117,576)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation		28,989				28,989
Exercise of stock options	$ 15	17,153				17,168
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	2,970
Excess tax benefits from share based payment arrangements		11,924				11,924
Repurchase of common stock					$ (8,175)	(8,175)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)					(270)
Foreign currency translation				(10,220)		(10,220)
Net income			483,185			483,185
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 3,105	424,075	2,330,510	(11,453)	$ (1,231,087)	1,515,150
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	621,012				(117,846)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation		32,719				32,719
Exercise of stock options	$ 111	49,217				49,328
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	22,275
Issuance of Common Stock	$ 511	3,168,624				3,169,135
Issuance of common stock (in shares)	102,123
Excess tax benefits from share based payment arrangements		314,737				314,737
Repurchase of common stock					$ (807,967)	$ (807,967)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)					(18,864)
Cancellation of treasury stock	$ (622)	415	(1,482,380)		$ 1,482,587
Cancellation of treasury stock (in shares)	(124,353)				124,353	(124,500)
Foreign currency translation				(10,425)		$ (10,425)
Net income			546,733			546,733
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 3,105	3,989,787	1,394,863	(21,878)	$ (556,467)	4,809,410
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	621,057				(12,357)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation		45,848				45,848
Exercise of stock options	$ 11	16,441				16,452
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	2,144
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities				(193)		(193)
Excess tax deficiency from share based payment arrangements		(831)				(831)
Repurchase of common stock					$ (2,252,484)	(2,252,484)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)					(44,278)
Foreign currency translation				(1,178)		(1,178)
Net income			712,685			712,685
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 3,116	$ 4,051,245	$ 2,107,548	$ (23,249)	$ (2,808,951)	$ 3,329,709
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	623,201				(56,635)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)	Oct. 14, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Stock split ratio	3
Common stock dividend percentage	200.00%

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 712,685	$ 546,733	$ 483,185
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	40,845	30,860	25,651
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	(204)	193	(408)
Gain on sale of Monster Non-Energy		(161,470)
Stock-based compensation	45,848	32,719	28,552
Loss on put option		250	842
Gain on investments, net		(250)	(801)
Deferred income taxes	(19,092)	(181,582)	(9,846)
Effect on cash of changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures:
Accounts receivable	(86,382)	(77,331)	(14,290)
Distributor receivables	(19,981)	600	4,580
Inventories	20,875	(7,068)	42,763
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(6,682)	(9,713)	888
Prepaid income taxes	(48,023)	(11,009)	157
Accounts payable	45,340	20,864	11,282
Accrued liabilities	(2,852)	43,312	3,019
Accrued promotional allowances	(3,939)	7,009	20,530
Accrued distributor terminations	(3,328)	11,196	(2,338)
Accrued compensation	8,051	4,507	3,394
Income taxes payable	4,375	311,534	8,438
Deferred revenue	13,819	(38,631)	(8,107)
Net cash provided by operating activities	701,355	522,723	597,491
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Maturities of held-to-maturity investments	868,304	2,089,788	710,294
Sales of available-for-sale investments	120,987	4,001
Sales of trading investments		4,160	13,075
Proceeds from transfer of distribution rights to TCCC		179,658
Proceeds from the sale of Monster Non-Energy		198,008
Purchases of AFF assets, net	(688,485)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	807	926	963
Purchases of held-to-maturity investments	(152,050)	(2,033,584)	(1,130,601)
Purchases of available-for-sale investments	(300,426)		(4,001)
Purchases of property and equipment	(99,819)	(35,605)	(27,952)
Additions to intangibles	(5,518)	(6,888)	(3,411)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	7	(398)	1,230
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(256,193)	400,066	(440,403)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on debt	(2,359)	(1,083)	(1,619)
Issuance of common stock	16,405	1,696,661	17,168
Purchases of common stock held in treasury	(2,252,437)	(807,967)	(8,175)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(2,238,391)	887,611	7,374
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(4,606)	(5,306)	(5,488)
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(1,797,835)	1,805,094	158,974
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year	2,175,417	370,323	211,349
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year	377,582	2,175,417	370,323
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	68	29	34
Income taxes	$ 431,273	$ 224,928	$ 267,251

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ITEMS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Capital leases for the acquisition of promotional vehicles	$ 2.6	$ 1.5	$ 0.8
Accounts payable for property and equipment purchases	4.7	0.6	0.7
Net change in accrued liabilities related to intangible addition	$ 3.8	$ 2.2	$ 2.2
Treasury stock shares cancelled		124,500,000
Coca-Cola Transaction Asset Transfer Agreement \| TCCC
Number of shares issued for acquisition		35,400,000
Amount held in escrow		$ 125.0

ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	1.ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Organization – Monster Beverage Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware. The Company is a holding company and has no operating business except through its consolidated subsidiaries. Stock Split – On October 14, 2016, the Company announced a three-for-one stock split of the Company’s common stock to be effected in the form of a 200% stock dividend. The common stock dividend was issued on November 9, 2016 and the Company’s common stock began trading at the split adjusted price on November 10, 2016. Accordingly, all per share amounts, average common stock outstanding, common stocks outstanding, common stock repurchased and equity based compensation presented in the consolidated financial statements and notes have been adjusted retroactively, where applicable, to reflect the stock split. Stockholders’ equity has been retroactively adjusted, where applicable, to give effect to the stock split for all periods presented by reclassifying the par value of the additional shares issued in connection with the stock split to Common Stock from Retained Earnings and Additional Paid-in Capital. Nature of Operations – The Company develops, markets, sells and distributes energy drink beverages, sodas and/or concentrates for energy drink beverages, primarily under the following brand names: Monster Energy®, Monster Rehab®, Monster Energy Extra Strength Nitrous Technology®, Java Monster®, Muscle Monster®, Mega Monster Energy®, Punch Monster®, Juice Monster®, M3®, Ubermonster®, BU®, Mutant® Super Soda, Nalu®, NOS®, Full Throttle®, Burn®, Mother®, Ultra®, Play® and Power Play®, Gladiator®, Relentless®, Samurai® and BPM®. Through June 12, 2015, the Company also developed, marketed, sold and distributed “alternative” beverage category beverages under the following brand names: Peace Tea®, Hansen’s®, Hansen’s Natural Cane Soda®, Junior Juice®, Blue Sky® and Hubert’s®. These brands were transferred to The Coca-Cola Company (“TCCC”) as part of the TCCC Transaction (as defined and described in Note 2 below). Basis of Presentation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Principles of Consolidation – The Company consolidates all entities that it controls by ownership of a majority voting interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Adjustment – Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016, management concluded that its presentation of prepaid income taxes and income taxes payable should be adjusted to conform to its filed 2015 United States (“U.S”) Federal income tax return. As a result, deferred income taxes increased by $120.8 million, prepaid income taxes decreased by $16.9 million and income taxes payable decreased by $103.9 million, respectively, in the comparable consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015. The adjustment had no impact on total net cash provided by operating activities. Business Combinations – Business acquisitions are accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805 “Business Combinations”. FASB ASC 805 requires the reporting entity to identify the acquirer, determine the acquisition date, recognize and measure the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity, and recognize and measure goodwill or a gain from the purchase. The acquiree’s results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill. Adjustments to fair value assessments are recorded to goodwill over the measurement period (not longer than twelve months). The acquisition method also requires that acquisition-related transaction and post-acquisition restructuring costs be charged to expense and requires the Company to recognize and measure certain assets and liabilities including those arising from contingencies and contingent consideration in a business combination. Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less from date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Throughout the year, the Company has had amounts on deposit at financial institutions that exceed the federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any loss as a result of these deposits and does not expect to incur any losses in the future. Investments – The Company’s investments in debt securities are classified as either held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading, in accordance with FASB ASC 320. Held-to-maturity securities are those securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity. Trading securities are those securities that the Company intends to sell in the near term. All other securities not included in the held-to-maturity or trading category are classified as available-for-sale. Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost which approximates fair market value. Trading securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses charged to earnings. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded within accumulated other comprehensive loss as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FASB ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available (see Note 4). Under FASB ASC 320-10-35, a security is considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired if the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are less than the security’s amortized cost basis (the difference being defined as the “Credit Loss”) or if the fair value of the security is less than the security’s amortized cost basis and the investor intends, or will be required, to sell the security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis. If an other-than-temporary impairment exists, the charge to earnings is limited to the amount of Credit Loss if the investor does not intend to sell the security, and will not be required to sell the security, before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis. Any remaining difference between fair value and amortized cost is recognized in other comprehensive loss, net of applicable taxes. The Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value of its investments is other-than-temporary at each quarter-end. This evaluation consists of a review by management, and includes market pricing information and maturity dates for the securities held, market and economic trends in the industry and information on the issuer’s financial condition and, if applicable, information on the guarantors’ financial condition. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the length of time and extent to which the investment’s fair value has been less than its cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and guarantors, including any specific events which may influence the operations of the issuer and our intent and ability to retain the investment for a reasonable period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery of fair value. Accounts Receivable – The Company evaluates the collectability of its trade accounts receivable based on a number of factors. In circumstances where the Company becomes aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to the Company, a specific reserve for bad debts is estimated and recorded, which reduces the recognized receivable to the estimated amount the Company believes will ultimately be collected. In addition to specific customer identification of potential bad debts, bad debt charges are recorded based on the Company’s recent loss history and an overall assessment of past due trade accounts receivable outstanding. In accordance with FASB ASC 210-20-45, in its consolidated balance sheets, the Company has presented accounts receivable, net of promotional allowances, only for those customers that it allows net settlement. All other accounts receivable and related promotional allowances are shown on a gross basis. Inventories – Inventories are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out, cost or market value (net realizable value). Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of furniture and fixtures, office and computer equipment, computer software, equipment, and vehicles is based on their estimated useful lives (three to ten years) and is calculated using the straight-line method. Amortization of leasehold improvements is based on the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the related leases and is calculated using the straight-line method. Normal repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that materially increase values or extend useful lives are capitalized. The related costs and accumulated depreciation of disposed assets are eliminated and any resulting gain or loss on disposition is included in net income. Goodwill – The Company records goodwill when the consideration paid for an acquisition exceeds the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired, including related tax effects. Goodwill is not amortized; instead goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the Company determines that the fair value is less than the carrying value, the Company will use a two-step process to determine the amount of goodwill impairment. The first step requires comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its net book value, including goodwill. A potential impairment exists if the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than its net book value. The second step of the process, performed only if a potential impairment exists, involves determining the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit’s net assets, other than goodwill, and the fair value of the reporting unit. An impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying value of goodwill over its implied fair value. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 there were no impairments recorded. Other Intangibles – Other Intangibles are comprised primarily of trademarks that represent the Company’s exclusive ownership of the Monster Energy®, ®, Monster Rehab®, Java Monster®, Unleash the Beast®, Monster Energy Extra Strength Nitrous Technology®, Muscle Monster®, Mega Monster Energy®, Punch Monster®, Juice Monster®, M3®, Ubermonster®, BU®, Nalu®, NOS®, Full Throttle®, Burn®, Mother®, Ultra®, Play® and Power Play®, Gladiator®, Relentless®, Samurai® and BPM® trademarks, all used in connection with the manufacture, sale and distribution of beverages. The Company also owns in its own right a number of other trademarks in the United States, as well as in a number of countries around the world. In accordance with FASB ASC 350, intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but instead are measured for impairment at least annually, or when events indicate that an impairment exists. The Company calculates impairment as the excess of the carrying value of its indefinite-lived assets over their estimated fair value. If the carrying value exceeds the estimate of fair value a write-down is recorded. The Company amortizes its trademarks with finite useful lives over their respective useful lives. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 there were no impairments recorded. Long-Lived Assets – Management regularly reviews property and equipment and other long-lived assets, including certain definite-lived intangible assets, for possible impairment. This review occurs annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If there is indication of impairment, management then prepares an estimate of future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If these cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized to write down the asset to its estimated fair value. The fair value is estimated using the present value of the future cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with management’s estimates of the business risks. Preparation of estimated expected future cash flows is inherently subjective and is based on management’s best estimate of assumptions concerning expected future conditions. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, there were no impairment indicators identified. Long-lived assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions – The accounts of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated in accordance with FASB ASC 830. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in other expense, net, at the time they occur. Net foreign currency exchange gains or losses resulting from the translation of assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are recorded as a part of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. Unrealized foreign currency exchange gains and losses on certain intercompany transactions that are of a long-term investment nature (i.e., settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future) are also recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company entered into forward currency exchange contracts with financial institutions to create an economic hedge to specifically manage a portion of the foreign exchange risk exposure associated with certain consolidated subsidiaries non-functional currency denominated assets and liabilities. All foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2016 have terms of one month or less. We do not enter into forward currency exchange contracts for speculation or trading purposes. The Company has not designated its foreign currency exchange contracts as hedge transactions under FASB ASC 815. Therefore, gains and losses on the Company’s foreign currency exchange contracts are recognized in other expense, net, in the consolidated statements of income, and are largely offset by the changes in the fair value of the underlying economically hedged item. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, aggregate foreign currency transaction losses, including the gains or losses on forward currency exchange contracts, amounted to $9.7 million, $5.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively, and have been recorded in other expense, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Generally, ownership of and title to the Company’s finished products passes to customers upon delivery of the products to customers. Certain of the Company’s distributors may also perform a separate function as a co-packer on the Company’s behalf. In such cases, ownership of and title to the Company’s products that are co-packed on the Company’s behalf by those co-packers who are also distributors, passes to such distributors when the Company is notified by them that they have taken transfer or possession of the relevant portion of the Company’s finished goods. Revenue for the Strategic Brands segment is generally recognized when title to the concentrate is transferred to the customer. In particular, title to the concentrate usually passes upon shipment to the customers’ locations, as determined by the specific sales terms of the transactions. Net sales have been determined after deduction of promotional and other allowances in accordance with FASB ASC 605-50. The Company’s promotional and other allowances are calculated based on various programs with its distributors and retail customers, and accruals are established during the year for the anticipated liabilities. These accruals are based on agreed upon terms as well as the Company’s historical experience with similar programs and require management’s judgment with respect to estimating consumer participation and/or distributor and retail customer performance levels. Differences between such estimated expense and actual expenses for promotional and other allowance costs have historically been insignificant and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Amounts received pursuant to new and/or amended distribution agreements entered into with certain distributors, relating to the costs associated with terminating the Company’s prior distributors, are accounted for as revenue ratably over the anticipated life of the respective distribution agreement, generally 20 years. Management believes that adequate provision has been made for cash discounts, returns and spoilage based on the Company’s historical experience. Cost of Sales – Cost of sales consists of the costs of concentrates and/or beverage bases, the costs of raw materials utilized in the manufacture of products, co-packing fees, repacking fees, in-bound freight charges, as well as certain internal transfer costs, warehouse expenses incurred prior to the manufacture of the Company’s finished products and certain quality control costs. Raw materials account for the largest portion of the cost of sales. Raw materials include cans, bottles, other containers, flavors, ingredients and packaging materials. Operating Expenses – Operating expenses include selling expenses such as distribution expenses to transport products to customers and warehousing expenses after manufacture, as well as expenses for advertising, sampling and in-store demonstration costs, costs for merchandise displays, point-of-sale materials and premium items, sponsorship expenses, other marketing expenses and design expenses. Operating expenses also include such costs as payroll costs, travel costs, professional service fees including legal fees, termination payments made to certain of the Company’s prior distributors, depreciation and other general and administrative costs. Freight-Out Costs – For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, freight-out costs amounted to $83.6 million, $87.0 million and $92.7 million, respectively, and have been recorded in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Advertising and Promotional Expenses – The Company accounts for advertising production costs by expensing such production costs the first time the related advertising takes place. A significant amount of the Company’s promotional expenses result from payments under endorsement and sponsorship contracts. Accounting for endorsement and sponsorship payments is based upon specific contract provisions. Generally, endorsement and sponsorship payments are expensed on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract after giving recognition to periodic performance compliance provisions of the contracts. Advertising and promotional expenses, including, but not limited to, production costs amounted to $270.6 million, $209.7 million and $171.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Advertising and promotional expenses are included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Income Taxes – The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in FASB ASC 740. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances the Company considers projected future taxable income and the availability of tax planning strategies. If in the future the Company determines that it would not be able to realize its recorded deferred tax assets, an increase in the valuation allowance would be recorded, decreasing earnings in the period in which such determination is made. The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon the Company’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where there is a greater than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit that may potentially be realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where there is less than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements. Stock-Based Compensation – The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the provisions of FASB ASC 718. The Company records compensation expense for employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing formula. The Company records compensation expense for non-employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options as of the earlier of (1) the date at which a commitment for performance by the non-employee to earn the stock option is reached or (2) the date at which the non-employee’s performance is complete, using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing formula. Stock-based compensation cost for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units is measured based on the closing fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. In the event that the Company has the option and intent to settle a restricted stock unit in cash, the award is classified as a liability and revalued at each balance sheet date. (See Note 14). Net Income Per Common Share – In accordance with FASB ASC 260, net income per common share, on a basic and diluted basis, is presented for all periods. Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding. The calculation of common equivalent shares assumes the exercise of dilutive stock options, net of assumed treasury share repurchases at average market prices, as applicable. Concentration of Risk – Certain of the Company’s products utilize components (raw materials and/or co-packing services) from a limited number of sources. A disruption in the supply of such components could significantly affect the Company’s revenues from those products, as alternative sources of such components may not be available at commercially reasonable rates or within a reasonably short time period. The Company continues to endeavor to secure the availability of alternative sources for such components and minimize the risk of any disruption in production. TCCC, through certain wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “TCCC Subsidiaries”), accounted for approximately 41%, 43% and 29% of the Company’s net sales for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Credit Risk – The Company sells its products nationally and internationally, primarily to full service beverage distributors, retail grocery and specialty chains, wholesalers, club stores, mass merchandisers, convenience chains and food service customers. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral. The Company maintains reserves for estimated credit losses, and historically, such losses have been within management’s expectations. Fair Value of Financial Instruments – The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to the relatively short maturity of the respective instruments. Use of Estimates – The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business”, which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2017-01 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill but rather require an entity to record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value. This amendment is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2017-04 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory”, in an effort to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-equity transfers of assets other than inventory. Current GAAP prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. FASB ASU No. 2016-16 establishes the requirement that an entity recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU No. 2016-16 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period, with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016-16 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)”. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, provided that all of the amendments are adopted in the same period. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016-15 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The accounting standard changes the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing when such losses are recorded. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016-13 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The new guidance identifies areas for simplification involving several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, an option to recognize gross stock compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur and certain classifications on the statement of cash flows. The update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, with early application permitted. The Company early adopted the standards update, effective January 1, 2016, electing (i) retrospective adjustment in the statement of cash flows and (ii) continued recognition of stock compensation based on estimated forfeitures. For the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, net cash provided by operating activities increased and net cash provided by financing activities decreased by $314.8 million and $11.9 million, respectively, as a result of such retrospective adjustment. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded $20.8 million of excess tax benefits in net income that previously would have been recorded in additional paid-in-capital. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. This update is intended to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016-02 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”, which supersedes previous revenue recognition guidance. ASU No. 2014-09 requires that a company recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. In applying the new guidance, a company will (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the contract’s performance obligations; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU No. 2014-09 was to be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. However, on July 9, 2015, the FASB voted to approve a one-year deferral of the effective date. This new guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018 and can be adopted using either a full retrospective or modified approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2014-09 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

2.ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

American Fruits & Flavors

On April 1, 2016, the Company completed its acquisition of flavor supplier and long-time business partner American Fruits & Flavors (“AFF”), in an asset acquisition that brought the Company’s primary flavor supplier in-house, secured the intellectual property of the Company’s most important flavors in perpetuity and further enhanced its flavor development and global flavor footprint capabilities (the “AFF Transaction”). Pursuant to the terms of the AFF Transaction, the Company purchased AFF for $688.5 million in cash after adjustments.

The Company accounted for the AFF Transaction in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805 “Business Combinations”.

The following table summarizes the final fair value allocations of the AFF Transaction consideration:

	Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed		Consideration Transferred
Intangibles - flavor formulas (non-amortizing)¹	$	570,000	$	-
Intangibles - flavor formulas (amortizing)	641		-
Intangibles - customer relationships (amortizing)	30,100		-
Intangibles - trademarks (amortizing)	500		-
Intangibles - other (amortizing)	200		-
Working capital (excluding inventory)	1,861		-
Inventory	27,600		-
Property and equipment, net	1,175		-
Favorable leases	4,480		-
Goodwill	51,928		-
Cash	-		688,485

Total	$	688,485	$	688,485

1Represents proprietary formulas for the Company’s principal products.

During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company identified a measurement period adjustment to the Company’s previous purchase accounting estimates for the AFF Transaction. The adjustments to the estimated values previously disclosed, resulted from the completed assessment of a certain flavor formula. As a result, Intangibles – flavor formulas (non-amortizing) decreased and Goodwill increased by $48.0 million, respectively, from amounts previously reported.

The Company determined the estimated fair values as follows:

Flavor formulas (non-amortizing) – multi-period excess earnings method

Flavor formulas (amortizing) – replacement cost method

Customer relationships – multi-period excess earnings method

Trademarks – relief-from-royalty method

Inventory – comparative sales method and replacement cost method

Property and equipment, net – replacement cost method

Favorable leases – discounted cash flow method

The final book value of the working capital (excluding inventory) approximates fair value.

The Company has determined goodwill in accordance with FASB ASC 805-30-30-1, “Business Combinations”, which requires the recognition of goodwill for the excess of the aggregate consideration over the net amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date.

For tax purposes, the AFF Transaction was recorded as an asset purchase. As such, the Company received a step-up in tax basis of the AFF assets, net, equal to the purchase price.

In accordance with Regulation S-X, pro forma unaudited financial information for the AFF Transaction has not been provided as the impact of the transaction on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and liquidity was not material.

The Coca-Cola Company

On June 12, 2015, the Company completed the transactions contemplated by the definitive agreements entered into with The Coca-Cola Company (“TCCC”) on August 14, 2014 (the “TCCC Transaction”), which provided for a long-term strategic relationship in the global energy drink category.

In consequence of the TCCC Transaction, (1) the Company issued to TCCC 102,121,602 newly issued Company common shares representing approximately 16.7% of the total number of outstanding Company common shares (after giving effect to such issuance) at such time and TCCC appointed two individuals to the Company’s Board of Directors, (2) TCCC transferred all of its rights in and to TCCC’s worldwide energy drink business (“KO Energy”) to the Company, (3) the Company transferred all of its rights in and to its non-energy drink business (“Monster Non-Energy”) to TCCC, (4) the Company and TCCC amended the distribution coordination agreements previously existing between them to govern the transition of third parties’ rights to distribute the Company’s energy products in most territories in the U.S. to members of TCCC’s distribution network, which consists of owned or controlled bottlers/distributors and independent bottling/distribution partners, and (5) TCCC and one of its subsidiaries made an aggregate net cash payment to the Company of $2.15 billion, $125.0 million of which was held in escrow, as described below, pursuant to an escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”) through June 17, 2016, subject to release upon the achievement of certain milestones relating to the transition of distribution rights to TCCC’s distribution network.

Under the terms of the Escrow Agreement and the transition payment agreement entered into in connection therewith, if the distribution rights in the U.S. transitioned to TCCC’s distribution network represented case sales in excess of the following percentages of a target case sale amount agreed to by the parties, amounts in the escrow fund in excess of the applicable amounts below would be released to the Company:

Percentage Transitioned		Escrow Release
40%		Amounts in excess of $375 million
50%		Amounts in excess of $312.5 million
60%		Amounts in excess of $250 million
70%		Amounts in excess of $187.5 million
80%		Amounts in excess of $125 million
90%		Amounts in excess of $62.5 million
95%		All remaining amounts

As of December 31, 2016, distribution rights in the U.S. representing approximately 89% of the target case sales had been transitioned to TCCC’s distribution network. As a result, on the one-year anniversary of the closing of the TCCC Transaction, the then-remaining escrow amount of $125 million was released to TCCC. During January 2017, an additional 5% of the target case sales were transitioned to TCCC’s distribution network, resulting in a $62.5 million payment from TCCC to the Company. TCCC will pay directly to the Company the remaining $62.5 million described above dependent upon future target case sale transitions. The Company expects to transition sufficient additional distribution rights to receive the remaining amounts.

The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information is presented as if the TCCC Transaction had closed on January 1, 2014:

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
				Pro Forma Adjustments
	Monster Beverage Corporation as reported¹	KO Energy²		Disposal of Monster Non- Energy³	Other	Pro Forma Combined
Net sales	$ 2,722,564	$ 138,127		$ (60,778)	$ 8,887	$ 2,808,800
Net income	546,733	100,575	4	(101,618)	(30,390)	515,300

	Year Ended December 31, 2014
				Pro Forma Adjustments
	Monster Beverage Corporation as reported	KO Energy		Disposal of Monster Non-Energy	Other	Pro Forma Combined
Net sales	$ 2,464,867	$ 342,432		$ (150,374)	$ 19,900	$ 2,676,825
Net income	483,185	218,456	4	(4,647)	(95,306)	601,688

¹Includes net sales of $143.3 million and net income of $55.2 million (tax affected) related to the acquired KO Energy assets since the date of acquisition, June 12, 2015.

²Includes results through June 12, 2015, the date the TCCC Transaction was finalized. Net income for KO Energy includes only net revenues and direct operating expenses, rather than full “carve-out” financial statements, because such financial information would not be meaningful given that it is not possible to provide a meaningful allocation of business unit and corporate costs, interest or tax in respect of KO Energy.

³Includes results through June 12, 2015. Net income includes gain recognized on the sale of Monster Non-Energy of $161.5 million.

4The $100.6 million and $218.5 million of net income for KO Energy for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, are presented before tax. The associated estimated provision for income taxes is included in the “Other” category.

Pro-Forma Adjustments – Other include the following:

	Year Ended December 31, 2015¹		Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net sales:
Amortization of deferred revenue	$	8,887	$	19,900

Net income:

Amortization of deferred revenue	$	8,887	$	19,900
To record sales commissions	(15,470)		(38,352)
To record amortization of definite lived KO Energy intangibles	(3,126)		(7,000)

To eliminate TCCC Transaction expenses	15,495		4,824

Estimated provision for income taxes on pro forma adjustments	2,545		9,428

Estimated provision for income taxes on KO Energy income	(38,721)		(84,106)

Total	$	(30,390)	$	(95,306)

¹Includes amortization of deferred revenue, sales commissions and amortization of intangibles through June 12, 2015, the date the TCCC Transaction was consummated.

For purposes of the unaudited pro forma financial information, a combined U.S. Federal and state statutory tax rate of 38.5% has been used. This rate does not reflect the Company’s expected effective tax rate, which includes other tax charges and benefits, and does not take into account any historical or possible future tax events that may impact the combined company.

The unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for information purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of the combined results of operations that the Company would have reported had the TCCC Transaction been completed as of the date and for the periods presented, and should not be taken as representative of the Company’s consolidated results of operations following the completion of the TCCC Transaction. In addition, the unaudited pro forma financial information is not intended to project the future financial results of operations of the combined company. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information does not reflect any cost savings, operational synergies or revenue enhancements that the combined company may achieve as a result of the TCCC Transaction, or the costs to combine the operations or costs necessary to achieve cost savings, operating synergies and revenue enhancements.

INVESTMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS

3.INVESTMENTS

The following table summarizes the Company’s investments at:

December 31, 2016	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses		Fair Value			Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months		Continuous Unrealized Loss Position greater than 12 Months
Available-for-sale
Short-term:
Commercial paper	$	40,382	$	-	$	-	$		40,382	$	-	$	-
Municipal securities	140,379		-		181		140,198			181		-
U.S. government agency securities	26,057		-		6		26,051			6		-
Variable rate demand notes	13,923		-		-		13,923			-		-
Long-term:
Municipal securities	2,403		-		9		2,394			9		-

Total	$	223,144	$	-	$	196	$		222,948	$	196	$	-


December 31, 2015	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses		Fair Value			Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months		Continuous Unrealized Loss Position greater than 12 Months

Held-to-Maturity
Short-term:
Commercial paper	$	3,978	$	-	$	-	$		3,978	$	-	$	-
Municipal securities	709,207		63		192		709,078			192		-
U.S. government agency securities	23,369		-		58		23,311			58		-
U.S. Treasuries	8,056		-		13		8,043			13		-
Long-term:
Municipal securities	11,071		-		8		11,063			8		-
U.S. government agency securities	4,277		-		25		4,252			25		-

Total	$	759,958	$	63	$	296	$	759,725		$	296	$	-

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, realized gains or losses recognized on the sale of investments were not significant. During June 2016, the Company sold a large portion of its held-to-maturity investments prior to maturity in order to fund a portion of a common stock repurchase (see Note 13). As a result, the Company’s remaining held-to-maturity investments of $43.7 million were transferred to available-for-sale effective June 15, 2016.

The Company’s investments at December 31, 2016 and 2015 in commercial paper, municipal securities, U.S. government agency securities, U.S. treasuries and/or variable rate demand notes (“VRDNs”) carried investment grade credit ratings. VRDNs are floating rate municipal bonds with embedded put options that allow the bondholder to sell the security at par plus accrued interest. All of the put options are secured by a pledged liquidity source. While they are classified as marketable investment securities, the put option allows the VRDNs to be liquidated at par on a same day, or more generally, on a seven day settlement basis.

The following table summarizes the underlying contractual maturities of the Company’s investments at:

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015

	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Less than 1 year:
Commercial paper	$	40,382	$	40,382	$	3,978	$	3,978
Municipal securities	140,379		140,198		709,207		709,078
U.S. government agency securities	26,057		26,051		23,369		23,311
U.S. Treasuries	-		-		8,056		8,043
Due 1 -10 years:
Municipal securities	2,403		2,394		11,071		11,063
U.S. government agency securities	-		-		4,277		4,252
Variable rate demand notes	3,917		3,917		-		-
Due 11 - 20 years:
Variable rate demand notes	6,003		6,003		-		-
Due 21 - 30 years:
Variable rate demand notes	4,003		4,003		-		-

Total	$	223,144	$	222,948	$	759,958	$	759,725

The Company recognized a net gain through earnings on its trading securities as follows for the years ended:

	2016		2015		2014
Gain (loss) on transfer from available-for-sale to trading	$	-	$	-	$	-
Gain on trading securities sold	-		250		978
(Loss) gain on trading securities held	-		-		(177)

Gain on trading securites	$	-	$	250	$	801

- Definition

The entire disclosure for investments in certain debt and equity securities.

+ References + Details

FAIR VALUE OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

FAIR VALUE OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FAIR VALUE OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

4.FAIR VALUE OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FASB ASC 820 provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FASB ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The three levels of inputs required by the standard that the Company uses to measure fair value are summarized below.

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

FASB ASC 820 requires the use of observable market inputs (quoted market prices) when measuring fair value and requires a Level 1 quoted price to be used to measure fair value whenever possible.

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, segregated among the appropriate levels within the fair value hierarchy at:

December 31, 2016	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total

Cash	$	278,972	$	-		$	-	$	278,972
Money market funds	76,112		-			-		76,112
Commercial paper	-		47,855			-		47,855
Variable rate demand notes	-		13,923			-		13,923
Municipal securities	-		157,617			-		157,617
U.S. government agency securities	-		26,051			-		26,051
Foreign currency derivatives	-		(528		)	-		(528		)

Total	$	355,084	$	244,918		$	-	$	600,002


Amounts included in:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	355,084	$	22,498		$	-	$	377,582
Short-term investments	-		220,554			-		220,554
Accounts receivable, net	-		236			-		236
Investments	-		2,394			-		2,394
Accrued liabilities	-		(764		)	-		(764		)

Total	$	355,084	$	244,918		$	-	$	600,002


December 31, 2015	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total

Cash	$	255,723	$	-		$	-	$	255,723
Money market funds	664,005		-			-		664,005
Certificates of deposit	-		85,007			-		85,007
Commercial paper	-		430,605			-		430,605
U.S. Treasuries	-		260,035			-		260,035
Municipal securities	-		731,744			-		731,744
U.S. government agency securities	-		508,256			-		508,256
Foreign currency derivatives	-		(217		)	-		(217		)

Total	$	919,728	$	2,015,430		$	-	$	2,935,158


Amounts included in:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	919,728	$	1,255,689		$	-	$	2,175,417
Short-term investments	-		744,610			-		744,610
Accounts receivable, net	-		371			-		371
Investments	-		15,348			-		15,348
Accrued liabilities	-		(588		)	-		(588		)

Total	$	919,728	$	2,015,430		$	-	$	2,935,158

All of the Company’s short-term investments are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s valuation of its Level 1 investments, which include money market funds, is based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities. The Company’s valuation of its Level 2 investments, which include municipal securities, commercial paper, U.S. Treasuries, certificates of deposit, VRDNs and U.S. government agency securities, is based on other observable inputs, specifically a market approach which utilizes valuation models, pricing systems, mathematical tools and other relevant information for the same or similar securities. The Company’s valuation of its Level 2 foreign currency exchange contracts is based on quoted market prices of the same or similar instruments, adjusted for counterparty risk. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 measurements during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and there were no changes in the Company’s valuation techniques.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

5.DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risks related primarily to its foreign business operations. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, the Company entered into forward currency exchange contracts with financial institutions to create an economic hedge to specifically manage a portion of the foreign exchange risk exposure associated with certain consolidated subsidiaries’ non-functional currency denominated assets and liabilities. All foreign currency exchange contracts entered into by the Company that were outstanding as of December 31, 2016 have terms of one month or less. The Company does not enter into forward currency exchange contracts for speculation or trading purposes.

The Company has not designated its foreign currency exchange contracts as hedge transactions under FASB ASC 815. Therefore, gains and losses on the Company’s foreign currency exchange contracts are recognized in other expense, net, in the consolidated statements of income, and are largely offset by the changes in the fair value of the underlying economically hedged item.

The notional amount and fair value of all outstanding foreign currency derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets consist of the following at:

	December 31, 2016
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under FASB ASC 815-20	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location
Assets:
Foreign currency exchange contracts:
Receive CAD/pay USD	$	22,314	$	173	Accounts receivable, net
Receive SGD/pay USD	7,915		24		Accounts receivable, net
Receive NOK/pay USD	2,138		28		Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay CLP	4,094		9		Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay COP	2,330		2		Accounts receivable, net



Liabilities:
Foreign currency exchange contracts:
Receive USD/pay GBP	$	7,718	$	(57)	Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay EUR	29,621		(325)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay AUD	15,135		(74)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay ZAR	20,405		(296)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay MXN	25,864		(4)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay BRL	3,138		(3)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay NZD	2,076		(5)		Accrued liabilities

December 31, 2015
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under FASB ASC 815-20	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location
Assets:
Foreign currency exchange contracts:
Receive USD/pay GBP	$	18,146	$	168	Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay ZAR	17,411		144		Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay RUB	2,173		9		Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay BRL	2,478		49		Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay COP	1,351		1		Accounts receivable, net

Liabilities:
Foreign currency exchange contracts:
Receive EUR/pay USD	$	39,578	$	(429)	Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay AUD	14,040		(82)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay CAD	2,804		(15)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay JPY	2,495		(2)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay MXN	8,122		(15)		Accrued liabilities
Receive SGD/pay USD	3,837		(30)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay NZD	1,978		(3)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay CLP	3,519		(12)		Accrued liabilities

The net gain on derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income were as follows:

		Amount of gain recognized in income on derivatives
		Year ended
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under FASB ASC 815-20	Location of gain recognized in income on derivatives	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015

Foreign currency exchange contracts	Other expense, net	$	1,819	$	2,503

- Definition

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

+ References

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+ Details

INVENTORIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES

6.INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following at December 31:

	2016		2015
Raw materials	$	58,658	$	52,043
Finished goods	103,313		104,078
	$	161,971	$	156,121

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net

7.PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net

Property and equipment consist of the following at December 31:

	2016			2015
Land	$	46,596		$	6,792
Leasehold improvements	2,687			2,804
Furniture and fixtures	3,635			3,551
Office and computer equipment	11,701			11,080
Computer software	3,274			2,530
Equipment	114,230			93,465
Building	69,547			39,848
Vehicles	31,582			29,804

	283,252			189,874
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(109,909		)	(92,520		)

	$	173,343		$	97,354

Total depreciation and amortization expense recorded was $30.2 million, $27.0 million and $25.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES ASSETS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES ASSETS

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES ASSETS

8.GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBILES ASSETS

The following is a roll-forward of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2016 by reportable segment:

	Monster Energy® Drinks		Strategic Brands		Other		Total
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	641,716	$	637,999	$	-	$	1,279,715
Acquisitions	51,928		-		-		51,928

Balance at December 31, 2016	$	693,644	$	637,999	$	-	$	1,331,643

Intangible assets consist of the following at:

	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Amortizing intangibles	$	71,290		$	35,263
Accumulated amortization	(14,535		)	(3,899		)

	56,755			31,364
Non-amortizing intangibles	975,880			396,622

	$	1,032,635		$	427,986

During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company finalized its goodwill allocation by reporting unit in connection with the final AFF Transaction purchase price allocation.

Amortizing intangibles primarily consist of customer relationships. All amortizing intangibles have been assigned an estimated finite useful life and such intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over the number of years that approximate their respective useful lives, generally five to seven years. Total amortization expense recorded was $10.6 million, $3.9 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The following is the future estimated amortization expense related to amortizing intangibles as of December 31, 2016:

Year Ending December 31:

2017	$	11,845
2018	11,845
2019	11,845
2020	7,963
2021	4,721
2022 and thereafter	8,536

	56,755

At December 31, 2016, non-amortizing intangibles primarily consist of indefinite-lived tradenames.

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS	12 Months Ended
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS	Dec. 31, 2016
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS	9.DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS In accordance with FASB ASC No. 420 “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations”, the Company expenses distributor termination costs in the period in which the written notification of termination occurs. As a result, the Company incurred termination costs of $79.8 million, $224.0 million and ($0.2) million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Such termination costs have been expensed in full and are included in operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In the normal course of business, amounts received pursuant to new and/or amended distribution agreements entered into with certain distributors, relating to the costs associated with terminating agreements with the Company’s prior distributors, are accounted for as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue ratably over the anticipated life of the respective distribution agreement, generally 20 years. Revenue recognized was $26.1 million, $50.5 million and $7.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Included in the $26.1 million of revenue recognized for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $5.7 million related to the accelerated amortization of the deferred revenue balances associated with certain of the Company’s prior distributors who were sent notices of termination during the year ended December 31, 2016. Included in the $50.5 million of revenue recognized for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $39.8 million related to the accelerated amortization of the deferred revenue balances associated with certain of the Company’s prior distributors who were sent notices of termination during the year ended December 31, 2015. There was no acceleration of deferred revenue in the year ended December 31, 2014.

DEBT	12 Months Ended
DEBT	Dec. 31, 2016
DEBT
DEBT	10.DEBT The Company entered into a credit facility with Comerica Bank (“Comerica”) consisting of a revolving line of credit, which was amended in April 2015, under which the Company may borrow up to $10.0 million of non-collateralized debt. The revolving line of credit is effective through June 1, 2017. Interest on borrowings under the line of credit is based on Comerica’s base (prime) rate minus 1% to 1.5%, or London Interbank Offered Rates plus an additional percentage of 1.25% to 1.75%, depending upon certain financial ratios maintained by the Company. The Company had no outstanding borrowings on this line of credit at December 31, 2016. Under this revolving line of credit, the Company may also issue standby Letters of Credit with an aggregate amount of up to $4.0 million. The fee on the standby Letters of Credit ranges from 1.00% to 1.50% depending upon certain financial ratios maintained by the Company. The Company had no outstanding standby Letters of Credit at December 31, 2016. In December 2016, the Company entered into a credit facility with HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited, Shanghai Branch consisting of a working capital line of credit under which the Company may borrow up to $4.0 million of non-collateralized debt. Interest on borrowings under the line of credit is based on the People’s Bank of China benchmark lending rates multiplied by 1.05. The Company had no outstanding borrowings on this line of credit at December 31, 2016. The Company’s debt of $1.1 million and $0.8 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, consisted of capital leases, collateralized by vehicles, payable over 12 months in monthly installments at various effective interest rates, with final payments ending on or before December 31, 2016. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the assets acquired under capital leases had a net book value of $4.5 million and $3.6 million, net of accumulated depreciation of $4.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively. Interest expense for capital lease obligations amounted to $0.07 million, $0.03 million and $0.03 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

11.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is obligated under various non-cancellable lease agreements providing for office space, warehouse space, and automobiles that expire at various dates through the year 2031.

Rent expense under operating leases was $9.9 million, $10.7 million and $6.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Future minimum rental payments at December 31, 2016 under the operating leases referred to above are as follows:

Year Ending December 31:

2017	$	5,677
2018	1,777
2019	1,231
2020	1,093
2021	992
2022 and thereafter	8,012

	$	18,782

Contractual obligations – The Company has the following contractual obligations related primarily to sponsorships and other commitments as of December 31, 2016:

Year Ending December 31:

2017	$	91,003
2018	49,133
2019	8,257
2020	8,130
2021	6,750
2022 and thereafter	-

	$	163,273

Purchase Commitments – The Company has purchase commitments aggregating approximately $47.0 million at December 31, 2016, which represent commitments made by the Company and its subsidiaries to various suppliers of raw materials for the production of its products. These obligations vary in terms, but are generally satisfied within one year.

The Company purchases various raw material items, including, but not limited to, flavors, ingredients, dietary ingredients, containers, milk, glucose, sucralose, cream and protein, from a limited number of resources. An interruption in supply from any of such resources could result in the Company’s inability to produce certain products for limited or possibly extended periods of time. The aggregate value of purchases from suppliers of such limited resources described above for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $205.9 million, $332.0 million and $292.8 million, respectively.

In September 2016, the Company completed its acquisition of approximately 49 acres of land, located in Rialto, CA, for a purchase price of approximately $39.1 million. The Company has begun construction of an approximately 1,000,000 square-foot building, which it hopes to have LEED certified, to replace its current leased warehouse and distribution facilities located in Corona, CA. The Company has entered into an approximately $36.8 million guaranteed maximum price construction contract for the construction of the building of which $33.7 million remained outstanding as of December 31, 2016.

Guarantees – The Company from time to time enters into certain types of contracts that contingently require the Company to indemnify parties against third-party claims. These contracts primarily relate to: (i) certain agreements with the Company’s officers, directors and employees under which the Company may be required to indemnify such persons for liabilities arising out of their employment relationship, (ii) certain distribution or purchase agreements under which the Company may have to indemnify the Company’s customers from any claim, liability or loss arising out of any actual or alleged injury or damages suffered in connection with the consumption or purchase of the Company’s products or the use of Company trademarks, and (iii) certain real estate leases, under which the Company may be required to indemnify property owners for liabilities and other claims arising from the Company’s use of the applicable premises. The terms of such obligations vary and typically, a maximum obligation is not explicitly stated. Generally, the Company believes that its insurance coverage is adequate to cover any resulting liabilities or claims.

Litigation – The Company has been named a defendant in numerous personal injury lawsuits, claiming that the death or other serious injury of the plaintiffs was caused by consumption of Monster Energy® brand energy drinks. The plaintiffs in these lawsuits allege strict product liability, negligence, fraudulent concealment, breach of implied warranties and wrongful death. The Company believes that each complaint is without merit and plans a vigorous defense. The Company also believes that any damages, if awarded, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

State Attorney General Inquiry – In July 2012, the Company received a subpoena from the Attorney General for the State of New York in connection with its investigation concerning the Company’s advertising, marketing, promotion, ingredients, usage and sale of its Monster Energy® brand energy drinks. Production of documents pursuant to that subpoena was completed in approximately May 2014.

On August 6, 2014, the Attorney General for the State of New York issued a second subpoena seeking additional documents and the deposition of a Company employee. On September 8, 2014, the Company moved to quash the second subpoena in the Supreme Court, New York County. The motion was fully briefed and was argued on March 17, 2015. On January 13, 2017, the Court issued an opinion in which it agreed with certain Company arguments regarding the scope of the subpoena and the Attorney General’s investigation, but denied the motion to quash and granted the Attorney General’s cross-motion to compel compliance. It is unknown what, if any, action the state Attorney General may take against the Company, the relief which may be sought in the event of any such proceeding or whether such proceeding could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

San Francisco City Attorney Litigation – On October 31, 2012, the Company received a written request for information from the City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco concerning the Company’s advertising and marketing of its Monster Energy® brand energy drinks and specifically concerning the safety of its products for consumption by adolescents. In a letter dated March 29, 2013, the San Francisco City Attorney threatened to bring suit against the Company if it did not agree to take the following five steps immediately: (i) “Reformulate its products to lower the caffeine content to safe levels”; (ii) “Provide adequate warning labels”; (iii) “Cease promoting over-consumption in marketing”; (iv) “Cease use of alcohol and drug references in marketing” and (v) “Cease targeting minors.”

On May 6, 2013, the San Francisco City Attorney filed a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief, civil penalties and restitution for alleged violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law, Business & Professions Code sections 17200, et seq. (“UCL”), styled People Of The State Of California ex rel. Dennis Herrera, San Francisco City Attorney v. Monster Beverage Corporation, in San Francisco Superior Court. The City Attorney alleged that the Company (1) mislabeled its products as a dietary supplement, in violation of California’s Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law, California Health & Safety Code section 109875, et seq.; (2) is selling an “adulterated” product because caffeine is not generally recognized as safe due to the alleged lack of scientific consensus concerning the safety of the levels of caffeine in the Company’s products; and (3) is engaged in unfair and misleading business practices because its marketing (a) does not disclose the health risks that energy drinks pose for children and teens, (b) fails to warn against and promotes unsafe consumption, (c) implicitly promotes mixing of energy drinks with alcohol or drugs and (d) is deceptive because it includes unsubstantiated claims about the purported special benefits of its “killer” ingredients and “energy blend.” The City Attorney sought a declaration that the Company has engaged in unfair and unlawful business acts and practices in violation of the UCL, an injunction from performing or proposing to perform any acts in violation of the UCL, restitution and civil penalties.

On September 5, 2014, the City Attorney filed a second amended complaint, adding Monster Energy Company as a defendant. The Company and Monster Energy Company filed answers to the second amended complaint on October 4, 2014 and November 10, 2014, respectively.

The City Attorney and the Company settled the action in January 2017, on terms acceptable to the Company. The settlement does not include any penalty or fine under the UCL; any finding or admission of liability or wrongdoing; or any change to the formulation of Monster Energy® drinks or to whom the drinks may be sold. In consideration for a release of claims and dismissal of the action with prejudice, the Company agreed to maintain various current marketing and labeling practices for its energy drink products through December 31, 2018.

Furthermore, from time to time in the normal course of business, the Company is named in other litigation, including consumer class actions, intellectual property litigation and claims from prior distributors. Although it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of such litigation, based on the facts known to the Company, management believes that such litigation in the aggregate will likely not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings and other matters that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the liability that is accrued, if any, or in the amount of any related insurance reimbursements recorded. As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s consolidated balance sheet includes accrued loss contingencies of approximately $2.8 million.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

12.ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows at December 31:

	2016		2015
Accumulated net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	$	193	$	-
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	23,056		21,878

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	23,249	$	21,878

- Definition

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income.

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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Reclassification Adjustments
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522872

+ Details

TREASURY STOCK PURCHASE	12 Months Ended
TREASURY STOCK PURCHASE	Dec. 31, 2016
TREASURY STOCK PURCHASE
TREASURY STOCK PURCHASE	13.TREASURY STOCK PURCHASE On April 28, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to commence a “modified Dutch auction” tender offer to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of its outstanding shares of common stock. The repurchase was authorized under the Company’s existing share repurchase authority and was funded with cash on hand. The Company commenced this tender offer in May 2016. On June 15, 2016, the Company accepted for payment an aggregate of 38.5 million shares of common stock at a purchase price of $52.00 per share, for a total amount of $2.0 billion (excluding commissions), which exhausted the availability under all previously authorized share repurchase plans. Such shares of common stock are included in common stock in treasury in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016. On August 2, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $250.0 million of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock (the “August 2016 Repurchase Plan”). During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company purchased 5.8 million shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $43.40 per share, for a total amount of $249.9 million (excluding broker commissions), which exhausted the availability under the August 2016 Repurchase Plan. Such shares of common stock are included in common stock in treasury in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2016, 56,820 shares of common stock were purchased from employees in lieu of cash payments for options exercised or withholding taxes due for a total amount of $2.6 million. While such purchases are considered common stock repurchases, they are not counted as purchases against the Company’s authorized share repurchase programs. Such shares are included in common stock in treasury in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

14.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has two stock-based compensation plans under which shares were available for grant at December 31, 2016: the Monster Beverage Corporation 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan”), including the Monster Beverage Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) as a sub plan thereunder, and the 2009 Monster Beverage Corporation Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “2009 Directors Plan”).

The 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan permits the granting of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and other stock-based awards up to an aggregate of 43,500,000 shares of the common stock of the Company to employees or consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries. Shares authorized under the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan are reduced by 2.16 shares for each share granted or issued with respect to a Full Value Award. A Full Value Award is an award other than an incentive stock option, a non-qualified stock option, or a stock appreciation right, which is settled by the issuance of shares. Options granted under the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan may be incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, or non-qualified stock options. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) has sole and exclusive authority to grant stock awards to all employees who are not new hires and to all new hires who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The Compensation Committee and the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Executive Committee”) each independently has the authority to grant stock awards to new hires who are not Section 16 employees. Awards granted by the Executive Committee are not subject to approval or ratification by the Board or the Compensation Committee. Options granted under the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan generally vest over a five-year period from the grant date and are generally exercisable up to 10 years after the grant date. As of December 31, 2016, 18,799,813 shares of the Company’s common stock have been granted, net of cancellations, and 21,120,151 shares (as adjusted for Full Value Awards) of the Company’s common stock remain available for grant under the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

In 2016, the Company adopted the Deferred Compensation Plan (as a sub plan to the 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan), pursuant to which eligible employees may elect to defer cash and/or equity based compensation and to receive the deferred amounts, together with an investment return (positive or negative), either at a pre-determined time in the future or upon termination of their employment with the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates that are participating employers under the Deferred Compensation Plan, as provided under the Deferred Compensation Plan and in relevant deferral elections. Deferrals under the Deferred Compensation Plan are unfunded and unsecured. As of December 31, 2016, there were no deferrals under the Deferred Compensation Plan. As of February 10, 2017, deferrals under the Deferred Compensation Plan are solely comprised of cash compensation and equity compensation coming due after March, 2018 and are not material in the aggregate.

The 2009 Directors Plan permits the granting of options, stock appreciation rights (each, a “SAR”), and other stock-based awards to purchase up to an aggregate of 4,800,000 shares of common stock of the Company to non-employee directors of the Company. The 2009 Directors Plan is administered by the Board of Directors. Each award granted under the 2009 Directors Plan will be evidenced by a written agreement and will contain the terms and conditions that the Board of Directors deems appropriate. The Board of Directors may grant such awards on the last business day prior to the date of the annual meeting of stockholders. Any award granted under the 2009 Directors Plan will vest, with respect to 100% of such award, on the last business day prior to the date of the annual meeting, in the calendar year following the calendar year in which such award is granted. The Board of Directors may determine the exercise price per share of the Company’s common stock under each option, but such price may not be less than 100% of the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date an option is granted. Option grants may be made under the 2009 Directors Plan for 10 years from June 4, 2009. The Board of Directors may also grant SARs, independently, or in connection with an option grant. The Board of Directors may determine the exercise price per share of the Company’s common stock under each SAR, but such price may not be less than the greater of (i) the fair market value of a share on the date the SAR is granted and (ii) the price of the related option, if the SAR is granted in connection with an option grant. Additionally, the Board of Directors may grant other stock-based awards, which include awards of shares of the Company’s common stock, restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, and awards that are valued based on the fair market value of shares of the Company’s common stock. SARs and other stock-based awards are subject to the general provisions of the 2009 Directors Plan. The Board of Directors may amend or terminate the 2009 Directors Plan at any time. As of December 31, 2016, 286,551 shares of the Company’s common stock had been granted under the 2009 Directors Plan, and 4,513,449 shares of the Company’s common stock remained available for grant.

The Company recorded $45.8 million, $32.7 million and $28.6 million of compensation expense relating to stock options, restricted stock awards, SARs and restricted stock units during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The excess tax benefit realized for tax deductions from non-qualified stock option exercises, disqualifying dispositions of incentive stock options, vesting of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $20.8 million, $314.7 million and $11.9 million, respectively. As a result of the Company’s early adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 effective January 1, 2016, the Company recorded excess tax benefits of $20.8 million in net income for the year ended December 31, 2016. The excess tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 of $314.7 million and $11.9 million, respectively, were recorded in additional paid-in-capital.

Stock Options

Under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, all stock options granted as of December 31, 2016 were granted at prices based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company records compensation expense for employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing formula with the assumptions included in the table below. The Company records compensation expense for non-employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options as of the earlier of (1) the date at which a commitment for performance by the non-employee to earn the stock option is reached or (2) the date at which the non-employee’s performance is complete, using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing formula with the assumptions included in the table below. The Company uses historical data to determine the exercise behavior, volatility and forfeiture rate of the options.

The following weighted-average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of options granted during:

	2016	2015	2014
Dividend yield	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Expected volatility	36.2%	37.1%	41.4%
Risk-free interest rate	1.57%	1.57%	1.55%
Expected term	6.3 Years	5.8 Years	5.8 Years

Expected Volatility: The Company uses historical volatility as it provides a reasonable estimate of the expected volatility. Historical volatility is based on the most recent volatility of the stock price over a period of time equivalent to the expected term of the option.

Risk-Free Interest Rate: The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero coupon yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option.

Expected Term: The Company’s expected term represents the weighted-average period that the Company’s stock options are expected to be outstanding. The expected term is based on expected time to post-vesting exercise of options by employees. The Company uses historical exercise patterns of previously granted options to derive employee behavioral patterns used to forecast expected exercise patterns.

The following table summarizes the Company’s activities with respect to its stock option plans as follows:

Options	Number of Shares (In thousands)	Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (In years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2016	19,770	$	16.95	5.6	$	646,497
Granted 01/01/16 - 03/31/16	2,883	$	44.02
Granted 04/01/16 - 06/30/16	657	$	46.18
Granted 07/01/16 - 09/30/16	42	$	52.60
Granted 10/01/16 - 12/31/16	1,510	$	43.87
Exercised	(1,887)	$	8.72
Cancelled or forfeited	(332)	$	33.65

Outstanding at December 31, 2016	22,643	$	23.55	5.8	$	474,739
Vested and expected to vest in the
future at December 31, 2016	21,269	$	22.40	5.6	$	470,017
Exercisable at December 31, 2016	12,231	$	11.26	3.6	$	404,982

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016:

			Options Outstanding			Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices ($)			Number Outstanding (In Thousands)	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Weighted Average Exercise Price ($)	Number Exercisable (In Thousands)	Weighted Average Exercise Price ($)
$4.51	-	$4.51	52	1.9	$ 4.51	52	$ 4.51
$5.29	-	$5.29	3,945	1.4	$ 5.29	3,945	$ 5.29
$5.61	-	$5.61	55	2.1	$ 5.61	55	$ 5.61
$5.94	-	$5.94	3,427	2.9	$ 5.94	3,427	$ 5.94
$6.02	-	$15.71	2,286	4.9	$ 12.57	1,440	$ 10.73
$15.88	-	$22.26	2,268	6.2	$ 18.60	1,666	$ 18.43
$23.00	-	$36.05	2,289	7.2	$ 23.83	1,075	$ 23.45
$37.10	-	$43.64	2,218	9.2	$ 41.64	162	$ 37.42
$43.99	-	$43.99	2,774	9.1	$ 43.99	-	$ 0.00
$44.73	-	$53.24	3,329	8.5	$ 45.53	409	$ 45.15

			22,643	5.8	$ 23.55	12,231	$ 11.26

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $16.90 per share, $16.73 per share and $10.50 per share, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $70.6 million, $870.1 million and $47.1 million, respectively.

Cash received from option exercises under all plans for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $16.4 million, $49.2 million and $17.2 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2016, there was $99.6 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested options granted to employees under the Company’s share-based payment plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.1 years.

Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units

Stock-based compensation cost for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units is measured based on the closing fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. In the event that the Company has the option and intent to settle a restricted stock unit in cash, the award is classified as a liability and revalued at each balance sheet date. Total cash paid to settle restricted stock unit liabilities and the increase in the liabilities for future cash settlements during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were not material.

The following table summarizes the Company’s activities with respect to non-vested restricted stock units as follows:

	Number of Shares (in thousands)	Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2016	535	$	33.19
Granted 01/01/16- 03/31/16	246	$	43.99
Granted 04/01/16- 06/30/16	36	$	49.65
Granted 07/01/16- 09/30/16	-	$	-
Granted 10/01/16- 12/31/16	-	$	-
Vested	(256)	$	31.50
Forfeited/cancelled	(5)	$	19.42

Non-vested at December 31, 2016	556	$	39.95

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $44.71, $45.50 and $28.13 per share, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, 0.5 million of restricted stock units are expected to vest.

At December 31, 2016, total unrecognized compensation expense relating to non-vested restricted stock awards and non-vested restricted stock units was $13.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.

Employee and Non-Employee Share-Based Compensation Expense

The table below shows the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements for the twelve-months ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 for share-based compensation related to employees and non-employees. Employee and non-employee share-based compensation expense of $45.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 is comprised of $8.0 million that relates to incentive stock options and $37.8 million that relates to non-qualified stock options and restricted units and awards. Employee and non-employee share-based compensation expense of $32.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 is comprised of $6.2 million that relates to incentive stock options and $26.5 million that relates to non-qualified stock options and restricted units and awards. Employee and non-employee share-based compensation expense of $28.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 is comprised of $4.8 million that relates to incentive stock options and $23.8 million that relates to non-qualified stock options and restricted units and awards.

	2016		2015		2014
Operating expenses	$	45,848	$	32,719	$	28,552

Total employee and non-employee share-based compensation expense included in income, before income tax	45,848		32,719		28,552
Less: Amount of income tax benefit recognized in earnings	(34,909)		(9,058)		(2,932)

Amount charged against net income	$	10,939	$	23,661	$	25,620

INCOME TAXES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

15.INCOME TAXES

The domestic and foreign components of the Company’s income before provision for income taxes are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Domestic*	$	1,029,763	$	859,039	$	711,917
Foreign*	49,922		32,509		33,871

Income before provision for income taxes	$	1,079,685	$	891,548	$	745,788

*After intercompany royalties, management fees and interest charges from the Company’s domestic to foreign entities of $25.6 million, $29.4 million and $34.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Current:
Federal	$	212,283	$	548,018	$	228,348
State	35,756		88,671		36,633
Foreign	17,171		10,634		7,467

	265,210		647,323		272,448

Deferred:
Federal	87,360		(255,422)		(8,473)
State	15,254		(40,446)		(442)
Foreign	(9,709)		(5,420)		3,476

	92,905		(301,288)		(5,439)

Valuation allowance	8,885		(1,220)		(4,406)

	$	367,000	$	344,815	$	262,603

The differences in the total provision for income taxes that would result from applying the 35% federal statutory rate to income before provision for income taxes and the reported provision for income taxes are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
U.S. Federal tax expense at statutory rates	$	377,599	$	312,042	$	261,025
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	33,148		31,046		23,859
Permanent differences	954		5,285		2,107
Stock Based Compensation	(13,654)		3,203		2,709
Domestic production deduction	(21,447)		-		(20,607)
Other	(8,765)		(127)		(1,267)
Foreign rate differential	(9,720)		(5,414)		(817)
Valuation allowance	8,885		(1,220)		(4,406)

	$	367,000	$	344,815	$	262,603

Major components of the Company’s deferred tax assets (liabilities) at December 31 are as follows:

	2016		2015
Deferred Tax Assets:
Reserve for sales returns	$	149	$	242
Reserve for doubtful accounts	21		18
Reserve for inventory obsolescence	524		1,126
Reserve for marketing development fund	8,065		10,118
Capitalization of inventory costs	2,714		1,927
State franchise tax - current	18,016		15,143
Accrued compensation	1,212		1,584
Accrued other liabilities	1,967		1,565
Deferred revenue	145,319		152,777
Stock-based compensation	31,873		24,488
Securities impairment	17		289
Foreign net operating loss carryforward	29,894		26,624
Prepaid supplies	8,022		6,065
Termination payments	98,244		81,896
Capital loss carryforward	44		370
Elimination Company Profit	2,843		-
Gain on intercompany transfer	7,274		7,809

Total gross deferred tax assets	$	356,198	$	332,041


Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Amortization of trademarks	$	(18,663)	$	(12,078)
Intangibles	(131,264)		(134,021)
State franchise tax - deferred	(12,946)		(18,359)
Other deferred tax liabilities	(957)		(2,381)
Depreciation	(6,736)		(7,543)

Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(170,566)		(174,382)


Valuation Allowance	(26,076)		(17,191)


Net deferred tax assets	$	159,556	$	140,468

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company established full valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets, resulting from cumulative net operating losses incurred by certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company. The effect of the valuation allowances and the subsequent related impact on the Company’s overall tax rate was to increase (decrease) the Company’s provision for income taxes by $8.9 million, ($0.5) million and ($4.4) million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At December 31, 2016, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $127.3 million. Of this amount, $105.3 million may be carried forward indefinitely. The remaining $22.0 million of net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2017.

The following is a roll-forward of the Company’s total gross unrecognized tax benefits, not including interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Gross Unrealized Tax Benefits
Balance at January 1, 2014	$	935
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	-
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	-
Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	-

Balance at December 31, 2014	$	935

Additions for tax positions related to the current year	-
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	-
Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	(464)

Balance at December 31, 2015	$	471

Additions for tax positions related to the current year	-
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	-
Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	(462)

Balance at December 31, 2016	$	9

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had accrued approximately $0.1 million in interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. If the Company were to prevail on all uncertain tax positions it would not have a significant impact on the Company’s effective tax rate.

It is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefit change within the next 12 months will not be significant.

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as to income tax in multiple state and foreign jurisdictions.

In October 2016, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) began its examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for the year ended December 31, 2014. In August 2015, the IRS began its examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013.

The Company is in various stages of examination with certain states and certain foreign jurisdictions. The 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 U.S. federal income tax returns are subject to examination by the IRS. State income tax returns are subject to examination for the 2012 through 2015 tax years.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE

16.EARNINGS PER SHARE

A reconciliation of the weighted average shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per common share computations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is presented below (in thousands):

	2016	2015	2014
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic	587,874	566,448	501,771
Dilutive securities	11,945	11,310	21,084

Diluted	599,819	577,758	522,855

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, options and awards outstanding totaling 5.7 million shares, 3.0 million shares and 2.1 million shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculations as their effect would have been antidilutive.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN	12 Months Ended
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN	Dec. 31, 2016
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN	17.EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN Employees of the Company may participate in the Monster Beverage Corporation 401(k) Plan, a defined contribution plan, which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participating employees may contribute up to 15% of their pretax salary up to statutory limits. The Company contributes 50% of the employee contribution, up to 6% of each employee’s earnings, which vest 25% each year for four years after the first anniversary date. Matching contributions were $2.0 million, $0.7 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION

18.SEGMENT INFORMATION

During the second quarter of 2016, the Company renamed and revised its reportable segments to reflect management’s current view of the business and to align its external financial reporting with its operating and internal financial model. Historical segment information has been revised to reflect the effect of this change.

The Company has three operating and reportable segments, (i) Monster Energy® Drinks segment (“Monster Energy® Drinks”), which is comprised of the Company’s Monster Energy® drinks (previously the Finished Products segment) as well as Mutant® Super Soda drinks, (ii) Strategic Brands segment (“Strategic Brands”), which include the various energy drink brands acquired from TCCC as a result of the TCCC Transaction (previously the Concentrate segment) and (iii) Other segment (“Other”), the principal products of which include the non-energy brands disposed of as a result of the TCCC Transaction as well as certain products acquired as part of the AFF Transaction that are sold to independent third-parties.

The Company’s Monster Energy® Drinks segment generates net operating revenues by selling ready-to-drink packaged drinks primarily to bottlers and full service beverage distributors. In some cases, the Company sells directly to retail grocery and specialty chains, wholesalers, club stores, mass merchandisers, convenience chains, food service customers and the military.

The Company’s Strategic Brands segment primarily generates net operating revenues by selling “concentrates” and/or “beverage bases” to authorized bottling and canning operations. Such bottlers generally combine the concentrates and/or beverage bases with sweeteners, water and other ingredients to produce ready-to-drink packaged energy drinks. The ready-to-drink packaged energy drinks are then sold to other bottlers, full service distributors or retailers, including, retail grocery and specialty chains, wholesalers, club stores, mass merchandisers, convenience chains, food service customers, drug stores and the military. To a lesser extent, the Company’s Strategic Brands segment generates net operating revenues by selling ready-to-drink packaged energy drinks to bottlers and full service beverage distributors.

Generally, the Monster Energy® Drinks segment generates higher per case net operating revenues, but lower per case gross profit margins than the Strategic Brands segment.

Corporate and unallocated amounts that do not relate to a reportable segment have been allocated to “Corporate & Unallocated.” No asset information, other than goodwill and other intangible assets, has been provided for in the Company’s reportable segments as management does not measure or allocate such assets on a segment basis.

The net revenues derived from the Company’s reportable segments and other financial information related thereto for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:


	2016		2015		2014
Net sales:
Monster Energy® Drinks(1)	$	2,759,862	$	2,518,505	$	2,314,492
Strategic Brands	272,520		143,282		-
Other	17,011		60,777		150,375
Corporate and unallocated	-		-		-

	$	3,049,393	$	2,722,564	$	2,464,867



	2016		2015		2014

Operating Income:
Monster Energy® Drinks(1) (2)	$	1,148,427	$	836,053	$	904,224
Strategic Brands	163,121		89,841		-
Other(3)	2,295		165,233		7,560
Corporate and unallocated	(228,505)		(197,474)		(164,279)

	$	1,085,338	$	893,653	$	747,505



	2016		2015		2014

Income before tax:
Monster Energy® Drinks(1) (2)	$	1,148,640	$	836,429	$	904,888
Strategic Brands	163,084		89,825		-
Other(3)	2,295		165,233		7,557
Corporate and unallocated	(234,334)		(199,939)		(166,657)

	$	1,079,685	$	891,548	$	745,788

(1)

Includes $40.3 million, $62.8 million and $15.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to the recognition of deferred revenue.

(2)

Includes $79.8 million, $224.0 million and ($0.2) million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to distributor termination costs.

(3)

Includes $161.5 million gain on the sale of Monster Non-Energy for the year ended December 31, 2015.


	2016		2015		2014
Depreciation and amortization
Monster Energy® Drinks	$	24,048	$	21,464	$	19,572
Stategic Brands	7,113		3,868		-
Other	3,457		231		531
Corporate and unallocated	6,227		5,297		5,548

	$	40,845	$	30,860	$	25,651

Corporate and unallocated expenses were $228.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and included $128.0 million of payroll costs, of which $45.8 million was attributable to stock-based compensation expense (see Note 14, “Stock-Based Compensation”), $66.3 million of professional service expenses, including accounting and legal costs, $6.0 million of insurance costs and $28.2 million of other operating expenses. Corporate and unallocated expenses were $197.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and included $109.8 million of payroll costs, of which $32.7 million was attributable to stock-based compensation expense (see Note 14, “Stock-Based Compensation”), $60.8 million of professional service expenses, including accounting and legal costs, $7.0 million of insurance costs and $19.9 million of other operating expenses. Corporate and unallocated expenses were $164.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and included $86.2 million of payroll costs, of which $28.6 million was attributable to stock-based compensation expense (see Note 14, “Stock-Based Compensation”), $43.8 million of professional service expenses, including accounting and legal costs, $7.4 million of insurance costs and $26.9 million of other operating expenses.

TCCC, through the TCCC Subsidiaries, accounted for approximately 41%, 43% and 29% of the Company’s net sales for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Net sales to customers outside the United States amounted to $733.7 million, $580.3 million and $534.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Such sales were approximately 24%, 21% and 22% of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Goodwill and other intangible assets for the Company’s reportable segments as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

	2016		2015
Goodwill and other intangible assets:
Monster Energy® Drinks	$	1,334,494	$	699,346
Strategic Brands	1,001,749		1,008,355
Other	28,035		-
Corporate and unallocated	-		-

	$	2,364,278	$	1,707,701

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

19.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As a result of the TCCC Transaction, TCCC controls more than 10% of the voting interests of the Company. TCCC, through the TCCC Subsidiaries and through certain of its affiliated companies (the “TCCC Affiliates”) purchases and distributes certain of the Company’s products both domestically and in certain international territories. The Company also pays TCCC a commission based on certain sales within the TCCC distribution network.

TCCC commissions, calculated on sales to the TCCC Affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, were $28.2 million, $18.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

TCCC commissions, calculated on sales to the TCCC Subsidiaries, are accounted for as a reduction to revenue and are reported in net sales to the TCCC Subsidiaries.

Net sales to the TCCC Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $1,259.7 million, $1,151.7 million and $717.6 million, respectively.

The Company also purchases concentrates from TCCC which are then sold to both the TCCC Affiliates and the TCCC Subsidiaries. Concentrate purchases from TCCC were $26.2 million and $16.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Certain TCCC Subsidiaries also contract manufacture certain of the Company’s Monster Energy® brand energy drinks as well as Mutant® Super Soda drinks. Contract manufacturing expenses were $9.6 million, $6.9 million and $6.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued promotional allowances related to the TCCC Subsidiaries are as follows at:

	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015

Accounts receivable, net	$	151,756	$	172,201
Accounts payable	$	(41,210)	$	(58,579)
Accrued promotional allowances	$	(27,056)	$	(27,544)

Two directors and officers of the Company and their families are principal owners of a company that provides promotional materials to the Company. Expenses incurred with such company in connection with promotional materials purchased during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $1.5 million, $1.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for related party transactions. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

+ References + Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	12 Months Ended
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	Dec. 31, 2016
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	20.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On February 28, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program for the purchase of up to $500.0 million of our outstanding common stock (the “February 2017 Repurchase Plan”). No shares have been repurchased pursuant to the February 2017 Repurchase Plan.

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

21.QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

							Net Income per Common Share
	Net Sales		Gross Profit		Net Income		Basic		Diluted
Quarter ended:
March 31, 2016	$	680,186	$	423,098	$	163,877	$	0.27	$	0.26
June 30, 2016	827,488		517,814		184,219		$	0.31	$	0.30
September 30, 2016	787,954		502,975		191,643		$	0.34	$	0.33
December 31, 2016	753,765		498,113		172,946		$	0.30	$	0.30

	$	3,049,393	$	1,942,000	$	712,685


Quarter ended:
March 31, 2015	$	626,791	$	368,957	$	4,414	$	0.01	$	0.01
June 30, 2015	693,722		394,508		229,004		$	0.43	$	0.42
September 30, 2015	756,619		465,476		174,574		$	0.28	$	0.28
December 31, 2015	645,432		403,360		138,741		$	0.23	$	0.22

	$	2,722,564	$	1,632,301	$	546,733

Certain of the figures reported above may differ from previously reported figures for individual quarters due to rounding.

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Description	Balance at beginning of period		Charged to cost and expenses		Deductions		Balance at end of period

Allowance for doubtful accounts, sales returns and cash discounts:

2016	$	1,248	$	7,389	$	(7,516)	$	1,121
2015	$	1,704	$	8,407	$	(8,863)	$	1,248
2014	$	2,926	$	2,652	$	(3,874)	$	1,704

Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets and Unrecognized Tax Benefits:

2016	$	17,846	$	8,240	$	-	$	26,086
2015	$	19,786	$	(1,940)	$	-	$	17,846
2014	$	24,130	$	(4,344)	$	-	$	19,786

ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
ADDITIONS TO SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation – The Company consolidates all entities that it controls by ownership of a majority voting interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Adjustment	Adjustment – Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016, management concluded that its presentation of prepaid income taxes and income taxes payable should be adjusted to conform to its filed 2015 United States (“U.S”) Federal income tax return. As a result, deferred income taxes increased by $120.8 million, prepaid income taxes decreased by $16.9 million and income taxes payable decreased by $103.9 million, respectively, in the comparable consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2015. The adjustment had no impact on total net cash provided by operating activities.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations – Business acquisitions are accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805 “Business Combinations”. FASB ASC 805 requires the reporting entity to identify the acquirer, determine the acquisition date, recognize and measure the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity, and recognize and measure goodwill or a gain from the purchase. The acquiree’s results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill. Adjustments to fair value assessments are recorded to goodwill over the measurement period (not longer than twelve months). The acquisition method also requires that acquisition-related transaction and post-acquisition restructuring costs be charged to expense and requires the Company to recognize and measure certain assets and liabilities including those arising from contingencies and contingent consideration in a business combination.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less from date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Throughout the year, the Company has had amounts on deposit at financial institutions that exceed the federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any loss as a result of these deposits and does not expect to incur any losses in the future.
Investments	Investments – The Company’s investments in debt securities are classified as either held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading, in accordance with FASB ASC 320. Held-to-maturity securities are those securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity. Trading securities are those securities that the Company intends to sell in the near term. All other securities not included in the held-to-maturity or trading category are classified as available-for-sale. Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost which approximates fair market value. Trading securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses charged to earnings. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded within accumulated other comprehensive loss as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FASB ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available (see Note 4). Under FASB ASC 320-10-35, a security is considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired if the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are less than the security’s amortized cost basis (the difference being defined as the “Credit Loss”) or if the fair value of the security is less than the security’s amortized cost basis and the investor intends, or will be required, to sell the security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis. If an other-than-temporary impairment exists, the charge to earnings is limited to the amount of Credit Loss if the investor does not intend to sell the security, and will not be required to sell the security, before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis. Any remaining difference between fair value and amortized cost is recognized in other comprehensive loss, net of applicable taxes. The Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value of its investments is other-than-temporary at each quarter-end. This evaluation consists of a review by management, and includes market pricing information and maturity dates for the securities held, market and economic trends in the industry and information on the issuer’s financial condition and, if applicable, information on the guarantors’ financial condition. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the length of time and extent to which the investment’s fair value has been less than its cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and guarantors, including any specific events which may influence the operations of the issuer and our intent and ability to retain the investment for a reasonable period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery of fair value.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable – The Company evaluates the collectability of its trade accounts receivable based on a number of factors. In circumstances where the Company becomes aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to the Company, a specific reserve for bad debts is estimated and recorded, which reduces the recognized receivable to the estimated amount the Company believes will ultimately be collected. In addition to specific customer identification of potential bad debts, bad debt charges are recorded based on the Company’s recent loss history and an overall assessment of past due trade accounts receivable outstanding. In accordance with FASB ASC 210-20-45, in its consolidated balance sheets, the Company has presented accounts receivable, net of promotional allowances, only for those customers that it allows net settlement. All other accounts receivable and related promotional allowances are shown on a gross basis.
Inventories	Inventories – Inventories are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out, cost or market value (net realizable value).
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of furniture and fixtures, office and computer equipment, computer software, equipment, and vehicles is based on their estimated useful lives (three to ten years) and is calculated using the straight-line method. Amortization of leasehold improvements is based on the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the related leases and is calculated using the straight-line method. Normal repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that materially increase values or extend useful lives are capitalized. The related costs and accumulated depreciation of disposed assets are eliminated and any resulting gain or loss on disposition is included in net income.
Goodwill	Goodwill – The Company records goodwill when the consideration paid for an acquisition exceeds the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired, including related tax effects. Goodwill is not amortized; instead goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the Company determines that the fair value is less than the carrying value, the Company will use a two-step process to determine the amount of goodwill impairment. The first step requires comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its net book value, including goodwill. A potential impairment exists if the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than its net book value. The second step of the process, performed only if a potential impairment exists, involves determining the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit’s net assets, other than goodwill, and the fair value of the reporting unit. An impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying value of goodwill over its implied fair value. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 there were no impairments recorded.
Other Intangibles	Other Intangibles – Other Intangibles are comprised primarily of trademarks that represent the Company’s exclusive ownership of the Monster Energy®, ®, Monster Rehab®, Java Monster®, Unleash the Beast®, Monster Energy Extra Strength Nitrous Technology®, Muscle Monster®, Mega Monster Energy®, Punch Monster®, Juice Monster®, M3®, Ubermonster®, BU®, Nalu®, NOS®, Full Throttle®, Burn®, Mother®, Ultra®, Play® and Power Play®, Gladiator®, Relentless®, Samurai® and BPM® trademarks, all used in connection with the manufacture, sale and distribution of beverages. The Company also owns in its own right a number of other trademarks in the United States, as well as in a number of countries around the world. In accordance with FASB ASC 350, intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but instead are measured for impairment at least annually, or when events indicate that an impairment exists. The Company calculates impairment as the excess of the carrying value of its indefinite-lived assets over their estimated fair value. If the carrying value exceeds the estimate of fair value a write-down is recorded. The Company amortizes its trademarks with finite useful lives over their respective useful lives. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 there were no impairments recorded.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets – Management regularly reviews property and equipment and other long-lived assets, including certain definite-lived intangible assets, for possible impairment. This review occurs annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If there is indication of impairment, management then prepares an estimate of future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If these cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized to write down the asset to its estimated fair value. The fair value is estimated using the present value of the future cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with management’s estimates of the business risks. Preparation of estimated expected future cash flows is inherently subjective and is based on management’s best estimate of assumptions concerning expected future conditions. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, there were no impairment indicators identified. Long-lived assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions	Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions – The accounts of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated in accordance with FASB ASC 830. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in other expense, net, at the time they occur. Net foreign currency exchange gains or losses resulting from the translation of assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are recorded as a part of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. Unrealized foreign currency exchange gains and losses on certain intercompany transactions that are of a long-term investment nature (i.e., settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future) are also recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company entered into forward currency exchange contracts with financial institutions to create an economic hedge to specifically manage a portion of the foreign exchange risk exposure associated with certain consolidated subsidiaries non-functional currency denominated assets and liabilities. All foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2016 have terms of one month or less. We do not enter into forward currency exchange contracts for speculation or trading purposes. The Company has not designated its foreign currency exchange contracts as hedge transactions under FASB ASC 815. Therefore, gains and losses on the Company’s foreign currency exchange contracts are recognized in other expense, net, in the consolidated statements of income, and are largely offset by the changes in the fair value of the underlying economically hedged item. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, aggregate foreign currency transaction losses, including the gains or losses on forward currency exchange contracts, amounted to $9.7 million, $5.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively, and have been recorded in other expense, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Generally, ownership of and title to the Company’s finished products passes to customers upon delivery of the products to customers. Certain of the Company’s distributors may also perform a separate function as a co-packer on the Company’s behalf. In such cases, ownership of and title to the Company’s products that are co-packed on the Company’s behalf by those co-packers who are also distributors, passes to such distributors when the Company is notified by them that they have taken transfer or possession of the relevant portion of the Company’s finished goods. Revenue for the Strategic Brands segment is generally recognized when title to the concentrate is transferred to the customer. In particular, title to the concentrate usually passes upon shipment to the customers’ locations, as determined by the specific sales terms of the transactions. Net sales have been determined after deduction of promotional and other allowances in accordance with FASB ASC 605-50. The Company’s promotional and other allowances are calculated based on various programs with its distributors and retail customers, and accruals are established during the year for the anticipated liabilities. These accruals are based on agreed upon terms as well as the Company’s historical experience with similar programs and require management’s judgment with respect to estimating consumer participation and/or distributor and retail customer performance levels. Differences between such estimated expense and actual expenses for promotional and other allowance costs have historically been insignificant and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Amounts received pursuant to new and/or amended distribution agreements entered into with certain distributors, relating to the costs associated with terminating the Company’s prior distributors, are accounted for as revenue ratably over the anticipated life of the respective distribution agreement, generally 20 years. Management believes that adequate provision has been made for cash discounts, returns and spoilage based on the Company’s historical experience.
Cost of Sales	Cost of Sales – Cost of sales consists of the costs of concentrates and/or beverage bases, the costs of raw materials utilized in the manufacture of products, co-packing fees, repacking fees, in-bound freight charges, as well as certain internal transfer costs, warehouse expenses incurred prior to the manufacture of the Company’s finished products and certain quality control costs. Raw materials account for the largest portion of the cost of sales. Raw materials include cans, bottles, other containers, flavors, ingredients and packaging materials.
Operating Expenses	Operating Expenses – Operating expenses include selling expenses such as distribution expenses to transport products to customers and warehousing expenses after manufacture, as well as expenses for advertising, sampling and in-store demonstration costs, costs for merchandise displays, point-of-sale materials and premium items, sponsorship expenses, other marketing expenses and design expenses. Operating expenses also include such costs as payroll costs, travel costs, professional service fees including legal fees, termination payments made to certain of the Company’s prior distributors, depreciation and other general and administrative costs.
Freight-Out Costs	Freight-Out Costs – For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, freight-out costs amounted to $83.6 million, $87.0 million and $92.7 million, respectively, and have been recorded in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Advertising and Promotional Expenses	Advertising and Promotional Expenses – The Company accounts for advertising production costs by expensing such production costs the first time the related advertising takes place. A significant amount of the Company’s promotional expenses result from payments under endorsement and sponsorship contracts. Accounting for endorsement and sponsorship payments is based upon specific contract provisions. Generally, endorsement and sponsorship payments are expensed on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract after giving recognition to periodic performance compliance provisions of the contracts. Advertising and promotional expenses, including, but not limited to, production costs amounted to $270.6 million, $209.7 million and $171.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Advertising and promotional expenses are included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes – The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in FASB ASC 740. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances the Company considers projected future taxable income and the availability of tax planning strategies. If in the future the Company determines that it would not be able to realize its recorded deferred tax assets, an increase in the valuation allowance would be recorded, decreasing earnings in the period in which such determination is made. The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon the Company’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where there is a greater than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit that may potentially be realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where there is less than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation – The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the provisions of FASB ASC 718. The Company records compensation expense for employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing formula. The Company records compensation expense for non-employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options as of the earlier of (1) the date at which a commitment for performance by the non-employee to earn the stock option is reached or (2) the date at which the non-employee’s performance is complete, using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing formula. Stock-based compensation cost for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units is measured based on the closing fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. In the event that the Company has the option and intent to settle a restricted stock unit in cash, the award is classified as a liability and revalued at each balance sheet date. (See Note 14).
Net Income Per Common Share	Net Income Per Common Share – In accordance with FASB ASC 260, net income per common share, on a basic and diluted basis, is presented for all periods. Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding. The calculation of common equivalent shares assumes the exercise of dilutive stock options, net of assumed treasury share repurchases at average market prices, as applicable.
Concentration of Risk	Concentration of Risk – Certain of the Company’s products utilize components (raw materials and/or co-packing services) from a limited number of sources. A disruption in the supply of such components could significantly affect the Company’s revenues from those products, as alternative sources of such components may not be available at commercially reasonable rates or within a reasonably short time period. The Company continues to endeavor to secure the availability of alternative sources for such components and minimize the risk of any disruption in production. TCCC, through certain wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “TCCC Subsidiaries”), accounted for approximately 41%, 43% and 29% of the Company’s net sales for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Credit Risk	Credit Risk – The Company sells its products nationally and internationally, primarily to full service beverage distributors, retail grocery and specialty chains, wholesalers, club stores, mass merchandisers, convenience chains and food service customers. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral. The Company maintains reserves for estimated credit losses, and historically, such losses have been within management’s expectations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments – The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to the relatively short maturity of the respective instruments.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates – The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business”, which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2017-01 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill but rather require an entity to record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value. This amendment is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2017-04 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory”, in an effort to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-equity transfers of assets other than inventory. Current GAAP prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. FASB ASU No. 2016-16 establishes the requirement that an entity recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU No. 2016-16 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period, with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016-16 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)”. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, provided that all of the amendments are adopted in the same period. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016-15 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The accounting standard changes the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing when such losses are recorded. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016-13 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The new guidance identifies areas for simplification involving several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, an option to recognize gross stock compensation expense with actual forfeitures recognized as they occur and certain classifications on the statement of cash flows. The update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, with early application permitted. The Company early adopted the standards update, effective January 1, 2016, electing (i) retrospective adjustment in the statement of cash flows and (ii) continued recognition of stock compensation based on estimated forfeitures. For the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, net cash provided by operating activities increased and net cash provided by financing activities decreased by $314.8 million and $11.9 million, respectively, as a result of such retrospective adjustment. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded $20.8 million of excess tax benefits in net income that previously would have been recorded in additional paid-in-capital. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. This update is intended to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016-02 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”, which supersedes previous revenue recognition guidance. ASU No. 2014-09 requires that a company recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. In applying the new guidance, a company will (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the contract’s performance obligations; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU No. 2014-09 was to be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. However, on July 9, 2015, the FASB voted to approve a one-year deferral of the effective date. This new guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018 and can be adopted using either a full retrospective or modified approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2014-09 on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

Summary of AFF Transaction consideration allocation

	Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed		Consideration Transferred
Intangibles - flavor formulas (non-amortizing)¹	$	570,000	$	-
Intangibles - flavor formulas (amortizing)	641		-
Intangibles - customer relationships (amortizing)	30,100		-
Intangibles - trademarks (amortizing)	500		-
Intangibles - other (amortizing)	200		-
Working capital (excluding inventory)	1,861		-
Inventory	27,600		-
Property and equipment, net	1,175		-
Favorable leases	4,480		-
Goodwill	51,928		-
Cash	-		688,485

Total	$	688,485	$	688,485

1Represents proprietary formulas for the Company’s principal products.

Summary of amounts in the escrow fund in excess of the applicable amounts

Percentage Transitioned		Escrow Release
40%		Amounts in excess of $375 million
50%		Amounts in excess of $312.5 million
60%		Amounts in excess of $250 million
70%		Amounts in excess of $187.5 million
80%		Amounts in excess of $125 million
90%		Amounts in excess of $62.5 million
95%		All remaining amounts

Schedule of pro forma condensed combined financial information

	Year Ended December 31, 2015
				Pro Forma Adjustments
	Monster Beverage Corporation as reported¹	KO Energy²		Disposal of Monster Non- Energy³	Other	Pro Forma Combined
Net sales	$ 2,722,564	$ 138,127		$ (60,778)	$ 8,887	$ 2,808,800
Net income	546,733	100,575	4	(101,618)	(30,390)	515,300

	Year Ended December 31, 2014
				Pro Forma Adjustments
	Monster Beverage Corporation as reported	KO Energy		Disposal of Monster Non-Energy	Other	Pro Forma Combined
Net sales	$ 2,464,867	$ 342,432		$ (150,374)	$ 19,900	$ 2,676,825
Net income	483,185	218,456	4	(4,647)	(95,306)	601,688

¹Includes net sales of $143.3 million and net income of $55.2 million (tax affected) related to the acquired KO Energy assets since the date of acquisition, June 12, 2015.

³Includes results through June 12, 2015. Net income includes gain recognized on the sale of Monster Non-Energy of $161.5 million.

Schedule of other pro-forma adjustments

	Year Ended December 31, 2015¹		Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net sales:
Amortization of deferred revenue	$	8,887	$	19,900

Net income:

Amortization of deferred revenue	$	8,887	$	19,900
To record sales commissions	(15,470)		(38,352)
To record amortization of definite lived KO Energy intangibles	(3,126)		(7,000)

To eliminate TCCC Transaction expenses	15,495		4,824

Estimated provision for income taxes on pro forma adjustments	2,545		9,428

Estimated provision for income taxes on KO Energy income	(38,721)		(84,106)

Total	$	(30,390)	$	(95,306)

¹Includes amortization of deferred revenue, sales commissions and amortization of intangibles through June 12, 2015, the date the TCCC Transaction was consummated.

INVESTMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

INVESTMENTS

Summary of investments in available-for-sale and held-to-maturity

December 31, 2016	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses		Fair Value			Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months		Continuous Unrealized Loss Position greater than 12 Months
Available-for-sale
Short-term:
Commercial paper	$	40,382	$	-	$	-	$		40,382	$	-	$	-
Municipal securities	140,379		-		181		140,198			181		-
U.S. government agency securities	26,057		-		6		26,051			6		-
Variable rate demand notes	13,923		-		-		13,923			-		-
Long-term:
Municipal securities	2,403		-		9		2,394			9		-

Total	$	223,144	$	-	$	196	$		222,948	$	196	$	-


December 31, 2015	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses		Fair Value			Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months		Continuous Unrealized Loss Position greater than 12 Months

Held-to-Maturity
Short-term:
Commercial paper	$	3,978	$	-	$	-	$		3,978	$	-	$	-
Municipal securities	709,207		63		192		709,078			192		-
U.S. government agency securities	23,369		-		58		23,311			58		-
U.S. Treasuries	8,056		-		13		8,043			13		-
Long-term:
Municipal securities	11,071		-		8		11,063			8		-
U.S. government agency securities	4,277		-		25		4,252			25		-

Total	$	759,958	$	63	$	296	$	759,725		$	296	$	-

Summarizes the underlying contractual maturities of the Company's investments

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015

	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Less than 1 year:
Commercial paper	$	40,382	$	40,382	$	3,978	$	3,978
Municipal securities	140,379		140,198		709,207		709,078
U.S. government agency securities	26,057		26,051		23,369		23,311
U.S. Treasuries	-		-		8,056		8,043
Due 1 -10 years:
Municipal securities	2,403		2,394		11,071		11,063
U.S. government agency securities	-		-		4,277		4,252
Variable rate demand notes	3,917		3,917		-		-
Due 11 - 20 years:
Variable rate demand notes	6,003		6,003		-		-
Due 21 - 30 years:
Variable rate demand notes	4,003		4,003		-		-

Total	$	223,144	$	222,948	$	759,958	$	759,725

Schedule of net gain (loss) recognized through earnings on trading securities

	2016		2015		2014
Gain (loss) on transfer from available-for-sale to trading	$	-	$	-	$	-
Gain on trading securities sold	-		250		978
(Loss) gain on trading securities held	-		-		(177)

Gain on trading securites	$	-	$	250	$	801

FAIR VALUE OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

FAIR VALUE OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Schedule of financial assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis

December 31, 2016	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total

Cash	$	278,972	$	-		$	-	$	278,972
Money market funds	76,112		-			-		76,112
Commercial paper	-		47,855			-		47,855
Variable rate demand notes	-		13,923			-		13,923
Municipal securities	-		157,617			-		157,617
U.S. government agency securities	-		26,051			-		26,051
Foreign currency derivatives	-		(528		)	-		(528		)

Total	$	355,084	$	244,918		$	-	$	600,002


Amounts included in:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	355,084	$	22,498		$	-	$	377,582
Short-term investments	-		220,554			-		220,554
Accounts receivable, net	-		236			-		236
Investments	-		2,394			-		2,394
Accrued liabilities	-		(764		)	-		(764		)

Total	$	355,084	$	244,918		$	-	$	600,002


December 31, 2015	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total

Cash	$	255,723	$	-		$	-	$	255,723
Money market funds	664,005		-			-		664,005
Certificates of deposit	-		85,007			-		85,007
Commercial paper	-		430,605			-		430,605
U.S. Treasuries	-		260,035			-		260,035
Municipal securities	-		731,744			-		731,744
U.S. government agency securities	-		508,256			-		508,256
Foreign currency derivatives	-		(217		)	-		(217		)

Total	$	919,728	$	2,015,430		$	-	$	2,935,158


Amounts included in:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	919,728	$	1,255,689		$	-	$	2,175,417
Short-term investments	-		744,610			-		744,610
Accounts receivable, net	-		371			-		371
Investments	-		15,348			-		15,348
Accrued liabilities	-		(588		)	-		(588		)

Total	$	919,728	$	2,015,430		$	-	$	2,935,158

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Schedule of notional amount and fair value of all outstanding foreign currency derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets

	December 31, 2016
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under FASB ASC 815-20	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location
Assets:
Foreign currency exchange contracts:
Receive CAD/pay USD	$	22,314	$	173	Accounts receivable, net
Receive SGD/pay USD	7,915		24		Accounts receivable, net
Receive NOK/pay USD	2,138		28		Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay CLP	4,094		9		Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay COP	2,330		2		Accounts receivable, net



Liabilities:
Foreign currency exchange contracts:
Receive USD/pay GBP	$	7,718	$	(57)	Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay EUR	29,621		(325)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay AUD	15,135		(74)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay ZAR	20,405		(296)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay MXN	25,864		(4)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay BRL	3,138		(3)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay NZD	2,076		(5)		Accrued liabilities

December 31, 2015
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under FASB ASC 815-20	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location
Assets:
Foreign currency exchange contracts:
Receive USD/pay GBP	$	18,146	$	168	Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay ZAR	17,411		144		Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay RUB	2,173		9		Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay BRL	2,478		49		Accounts receivable, net
Receive USD/pay COP	1,351		1		Accounts receivable, net

Liabilities:
Foreign currency exchange contracts:
Receive EUR/pay USD	$	39,578	$	(429)	Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay AUD	14,040		(82)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay CAD	2,804		(15)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay JPY	2,495		(2)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay MXN	8,122		(15)		Accrued liabilities
Receive SGD/pay USD	3,837		(30)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay NZD	1,978		(3)		Accrued liabilities
Receive USD/pay CLP	3,519		(12)		Accrued liabilities

Schedule of net gain on derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated statements of income

		Amount of gain recognized in income on derivatives
		Year ended
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under FASB ASC 815-20	Location of gain recognized in income on derivatives	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015

Foreign currency exchange contracts	Other expense, net	$	1,819	$	2,503

INVENTORIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

INVENTORIES

Schedule of inventories

	2016		2015
Raw materials	$	58,658	$	52,043
Finished goods	103,313		104,078
	$	161,971	$	156,121

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net

Schedule of property and equipment

	2016			2015
Land	$	46,596		$	6,792
Leasehold improvements	2,687			2,804
Furniture and fixtures	3,635			3,551
Office and computer equipment	11,701			11,080
Computer software	3,274			2,530
Equipment	114,230			93,465
Building	69,547			39,848
Vehicles	31,582			29,804

	283,252			189,874
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(109,909		)	(92,520		)

	$	173,343		$	97,354

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES ASSETS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES ASSETS

Schedule of Goodwill

	Monster Energy® Drinks		Strategic Brands		Other		Total
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	641,716	$	637,999	$	-	$	1,279,715
Acquisitions	51,928		-		-		51,928

Balance at December 31, 2016	$	693,644	$	637,999	$	-	$	1,331,643

Schedule of intangibles

	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Amortizing intangibles	$	71,290		$	35,263
Accumulated amortization	(14,535		)	(3,899		)

	56,755			31,364
Non-amortizing intangibles	975,880			396,622

	$	1,032,635		$	427,986

Schedule of Intangible assets future amortization expense

Year Ending December 31:

2017	$	11,845
2018	11,845
2019	11,845
2020	7,963
2021	4,721
2022 and thereafter	8,536

	56,755

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Schedule of future minimum rental payments under the operating leases

Future minimum rental payments at December 31, 2016 under the operating leases referred to above are as follows:

Year Ending December 31:

2017	$	5,677
2018	1,777
2019	1,231
2020	1,093
2021	992
2022 and thereafter	8,012

	$	18,782

Schedule of contractual obligations related primarily to sponsorships and other commitments

Contractual obligations – The Company has the following contractual obligations related primarily to sponsorships and other commitments as of December 31, 2016:

Year Ending December 31:

2017	$	91,003
2018	49,133
2019	8,257
2020	8,130
2021	6,750
2022 and thereafter	-

	$	163,273

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, after tax

	2016		2015
Accumulated net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	$	193	$	-
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	23,056		21,878

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	23,249	$	21,878

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Schedule of weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted

	2016	2015	2014
Dividend yield	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Expected volatility	36.2%	37.1%	41.4%
Risk-free interest rate	1.57%	1.57%	1.55%
Expected term	6.3 Years	5.8 Years	5.8 Years

Summary of Company's activities with respect to its stock option plans

Options	Number of Shares (In thousands)	Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (In years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2016	19,770	$	16.95	5.6	$	646,497
Granted 01/01/16 - 03/31/16	2,883	$	44.02
Granted 04/01/16 - 06/30/16	657	$	46.18
Granted 07/01/16 - 09/30/16	42	$	52.60
Granted 10/01/16 - 12/31/16	1,510	$	43.87
Exercised	(1,887)	$	8.72
Cancelled or forfeited	(332)	$	33.65

Outstanding at December 31, 2016	22,643	$	23.55	5.8	$	474,739
Vested and expected to vest in the
future at December 31, 2016	21,269	$	22.40	5.6	$	470,017
Exercisable at December 31, 2016	12,231	$	11.26	3.6	$	404,982

Summary of information about stock options outstanding and exercisable

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016:

			Options Outstanding			Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices ($)			Number Outstanding (In Thousands)	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Weighted Average Exercise Price ($)	Number Exercisable (In Thousands)	Weighted Average Exercise Price ($)
$4.51	-	$4.51	52	1.9	$ 4.51	52	$ 4.51
$5.29	-	$5.29	3,945	1.4	$ 5.29	3,945	$ 5.29
$5.61	-	$5.61	55	2.1	$ 5.61	55	$ 5.61
$5.94	-	$5.94	3,427	2.9	$ 5.94	3,427	$ 5.94
$6.02	-	$15.71	2,286	4.9	$ 12.57	1,440	$ 10.73
$15.88	-	$22.26	2,268	6.2	$ 18.60	1,666	$ 18.43
$23.00	-	$36.05	2,289	7.2	$ 23.83	1,075	$ 23.45
$37.10	-	$43.64	2,218	9.2	$ 41.64	162	$ 37.42
$43.99	-	$43.99	2,774	9.1	$ 43.99	-	$ 0.00
$44.73	-	$53.24	3,329	8.5	$ 45.53	409	$ 45.15

			22,643	5.8	$ 23.55	12,231	$ 11.26

Summary of Company's activities with respect to non-vested restricted stock units

	Number of Shares (in thousands)	Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2016	535	$	33.19
Granted 01/01/16- 03/31/16	246	$	43.99
Granted 04/01/16- 06/30/16	36	$	49.65
Granted 07/01/16- 09/30/16	-	$	-
Granted 10/01/16- 12/31/16	-	$	-
Vested	(256)	$	31.50
Forfeited/cancelled	(5)	$	19.42

Non-vested at December 31, 2016	556	$	39.95

Schedule of employee and non-employee share-based compensation expense

	2016		2015		2014
Operating expenses	$	45,848	$	32,719	$	28,552

Total employee and non-employee share-based compensation expense included in income, before income tax	45,848		32,719		28,552
Less: Amount of income tax benefit recognized in earnings	(34,909)		(9,058)		(2,932)

Amount charged against net income	$	10,939	$	23,661	$	25,620

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

INCOME TAXES

Schedule of domestic and foreign components of the Company's income before provision for income taxes

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Domestic*	$	1,029,763	$	859,039	$	711,917
Foreign*	49,922		32,509		33,871

Income before provision for income taxes	$	1,079,685	$	891,548	$	745,788

Components of the provision for income taxes

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Current:
Federal	$	212,283	$	548,018	$	228,348
State	35,756		88,671		36,633
Foreign	17,171		10,634		7,467

	265,210		647,323		272,448

Deferred:
Federal	87,360		(255,422)		(8,473)
State	15,254		(40,446)		(442)
Foreign	(9,709)		(5,420)		3,476

	92,905		(301,288)		(5,439)

Valuation allowance	8,885		(1,220)		(4,406)

	$	367,000	$	344,815	$	262,603

Schedule of reconciliation of income taxes computed at statutory federal rate to total income taxes

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
U.S. Federal tax expense at statutory rates	$	377,599	$	312,042	$	261,025
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	33,148		31,046		23,859
Permanent differences	954		5,285		2,107
Stock Based Compensation	(13,654)		3,203		2,709
Domestic production deduction	(21,447)		-		(20,607)
Other	(8,765)		(127)		(1,267)
Foreign rate differential	(9,720)		(5,414)		(817)
Valuation allowance	8,885		(1,220)		(4,406)

	$	367,000	$	344,815	$	262,603

Components of the Company's deferred tax assets (liabilities)

	2016		2015
Deferred Tax Assets:
Reserve for sales returns	$	149	$	242
Reserve for doubtful accounts	21		18
Reserve for inventory obsolescence	524		1,126
Reserve for marketing development fund	8,065		10,118
Capitalization of inventory costs	2,714		1,927
State franchise tax - current	18,016		15,143
Accrued compensation	1,212		1,584
Accrued other liabilities	1,967		1,565
Deferred revenue	145,319		152,777
Stock-based compensation	31,873		24,488
Securities impairment	17		289
Foreign net operating loss carryforward	29,894		26,624
Prepaid supplies	8,022		6,065
Termination payments	98,244		81,896
Capital loss carryforward	44		370
Elimination Company Profit	2,843		-
Gain on intercompany transfer	7,274		7,809

Total gross deferred tax assets	$	356,198	$	332,041


Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Amortization of trademarks	$	(18,663)	$	(12,078)
Intangibles	(131,264)		(134,021)
State franchise tax - deferred	(12,946)		(18,359)
Other deferred tax liabilities	(957)		(2,381)
Depreciation	(6,736)		(7,543)

Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(170,566)		(174,382)


Valuation Allowance	(26,076)		(17,191)


Net deferred tax assets	$	159,556	$	140,468

Schedule of roll-forward of the Company's total gross unrecognized tax benefits, not including interest and penalties

	Gross Unrealized Tax Benefits
Balance at January 1, 2014	$	935
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	-
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	-
Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	-

Balance at December 31, 2014	$	935

Additions for tax positions related to the current year	-
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	-
Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	(464)

Balance at December 31, 2015	$	471

Additions for tax positions related to the current year	-
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year	-
Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	(462)

Balance at December 31, 2016	$	9

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Schedule of reconciliation of the weighted average shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per common share computations

	2016	2015	2014
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic	587,874	566,448	501,771
Dilutive securities	11,945	11,310	21,084

Diluted	599,819	577,758	522,855

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Schedule of net revenues and other financial information by segment


	2016		2015		2014
Net sales:
Monster Energy® Drinks(1)	$	2,759,862	$	2,518,505	$	2,314,492
Strategic Brands	272,520		143,282		-
Other	17,011		60,777		150,375
Corporate and unallocated	-		-		-

	$	3,049,393	$	2,722,564	$	2,464,867



	2016		2015		2014

Operating Income:
Monster Energy® Drinks(1) (2)	$	1,148,427	$	836,053	$	904,224
Strategic Brands	163,121		89,841		-
Other(3)	2,295		165,233		7,560
Corporate and unallocated	(228,505)		(197,474)		(164,279)

	$	1,085,338	$	893,653	$	747,505



	2016		2015		2014

Income before tax:
Monster Energy® Drinks(1) (2)	$	1,148,640	$	836,429	$	904,888
Strategic Brands	163,084		89,825		-
Other(3)	2,295		165,233		7,557
Corporate and unallocated	(234,334)		(199,939)		(166,657)

	$	1,079,685	$	891,548	$	745,788

(1)

Includes $40.3 million, $62.8 million and $15.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to the recognition of deferred revenue.

(2)

Includes $79.8 million, $224.0 million and ($0.2) million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to distributor termination costs.

(3)

Includes $161.5 million gain on the sale of Monster Non-Energy for the year ended December 31, 2015.


	2016		2015		2014
Depreciation and amortization
Monster Energy® Drinks	$	24,048	$	21,464	$	19,572
Stategic Brands	7,113		3,868		-
Other	3,457		231		531
Corporate and unallocated	6,227		5,297		5,548

	$	40,845	$	30,860	$	25,651

Schedule of goodwill and other intangible assets for the Company's reportable segments

	2016		2015
Goodwill and other intangible assets:
Monster Energy® Drinks	$	1,334,494	$	699,346
Strategic Brands	1,001,749		1,008,355
Other	28,035		-
Corporate and unallocated	-		-

	$	2,364,278	$	1,707,701

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Schedule of related party transactions

	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015

Accounts receivable, net	$	151,756	$	172,201
Accounts payable	$	(41,210)	$	(58,579)
Accrued promotional allowances	$	(27,056)	$	(27,544)

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

							Net Income per Common Share
	Net Sales		Gross Profit		Net Income		Basic		Diluted
Quarter ended:
March 31, 2016	$	680,186	$	423,098	$	163,877	$	0.27	$	0.26
June 30, 2016	827,488		517,814		184,219		$	0.31	$	0.30
September 30, 2016	787,954		502,975		191,643		$	0.34	$	0.33
December 31, 2016	753,765		498,113		172,946		$	0.30	$	0.30

	$	3,049,393	$	1,942,000	$	712,685


Quarter ended:
March 31, 2015	$	626,791	$	368,957	$	4,414	$	0.01	$	0.01
June 30, 2015	693,722		394,508		229,004		$	0.43	$	0.42
September 30, 2015	756,619		465,476		174,574		$	0.28	$	0.28
December 31, 2015	645,432		403,360		138,741		$	0.23	$	0.22

	$	2,722,564	$	1,632,301	$	546,733

ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 14, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock Split
Stock split ratio	3
Common stock dividend percentage	200.00%
Adjustment
Deferred income taxes		$ 159,556	$ 140,468
Prepaid income taxes		66,550	18,462
Income taxes payable		7,657	2,750
Goodwill
Impairment of Goodwill		0	0	$ 0
Intangibles
Impairment of intangible assets		0	0	0
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
Foreign currency transaction losses		$ 9,700	5,500	3,400
Revenue Recognition
Distribution Agreement, Revenue Recognition Period		20 years
Freight-Out Costs
Freight-out costs		$ 83,600	87,000	92,700
Advertising and Promotional Expenses
Advertising and promotional expenses		270,600	209,700	171,500
Income Taxes
Tax benefits recognized for income tax positions where there is less than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained		0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09: Simplifying the accounting for share-based compensation \| Adjustments for New Accounting Principle
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Net cash provided by operating activities			$ 314,800
Net cash used in financing activities				$ 11,900
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation		$ 20,800
Minimum
Income Taxes
Percentage of likelihood below which no tax benefit is recognized in the financial statements		50.00%
Maximum
Income Taxes
Percentage of likelihood of realization of recognized tax benefit		50.00%
Coca-Cola Refreshments ("CCR")
Concentration of Risk
Percentage of net sales from major customer		41.00%	43.00%	29.00%
Sales \| Customer concentration \| Direct Store Delivery ("DSD") \| Coca-Cola Refreshments ("CCR")
Concentration of Risk
Percentage of net sales from major customer		41.00%	43.00%	29.00%
Property and Equipment \| Minimum
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful lives of the assets		3 years
Property and Equipment \| Maximum
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful lives of the assets		10 years
Prepaid income taxes, deferred taxes and income taxes payable
Adjustment
Deferred income taxes			$ 120,800
Prepaid income taxes			(16,900)
Income taxes payable			$ (103,900)

ACQUISITION AND DIVESTITURES - AFF Transaction (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Goodwill		$ 1,331,643	$ 1,331,643	$ 1,279,715
Consideration Transferred
Cash			$ 688,485
American Fruits & Flavors ("AFF")
Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Working capital (excluding inventory)	$ 1,861
Inventories	27,600
Property and equipment, net	1,175
Favorable leases	4,480
Goodwill	51,928
Total	688,485
Consideration Transferred
Cash	688,485
Total	688,485
Increase in goodwill on account of adjustments		$ 48,000
American Fruits & Flavors ("AFF") \| Flavor formulas
Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Intangibles (amortizing)	641
American Fruits & Flavors ("AFF") \| Customer relationships
Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Intangibles (amortizing)	30,100
American Fruits & Flavors ("AFF") \| Trademarks
Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Intangibles (amortizing)	500
American Fruits & Flavors ("AFF") \| Other
Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Intangibles (amortizing)	200
American Fruits & Flavors ("AFF") \| Flavor formulas
Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Intangibles (non-amortizing)	$ 570,000

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - TCCC Transaction (Details) - Coca-Cola Transaction Asset Transfer Agreement - TCCC $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 12, 2015 USD ($) individual shares	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Number of shares issued for acquisition \| shares	102,121,602			35,400,000
Ownership interest (as a percent)	16.70%
Number of individuals appointed as directors \| individual	2
Cash consideration received	$ 2,150.0
Amount held in escrow	125.0			$ 125.0
Escrow Release			$ 125.0
Percentage of target sales transitioned			89.00%
Additional percentage of target sales achieved		5.00%
Funds in Escrow receivable		$ 62.5
40% Target
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Escrow Release	$ 375.0
Percentage of target sales transitioned	40.00%
50% Target
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Escrow Release	$ 312.5
Percentage of target sales transitioned	50.00%
60% Target
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Escrow Release	$ 250.0
Percentage of target sales transitioned	60.00%
70% Target
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Escrow Release	$ 187.5
Percentage of target sales transitioned	70.00%
80% Target
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Escrow Release	$ 125.0
Percentage of target sales transitioned	80.00%
90% Target
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Escrow Release	$ 62.5
Percentage of target sales transitioned	90.00%
95% Target
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Percentage of target sales transitioned	95.00%

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Proforma Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								7 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Net sales	$ 753,765	$ 787,954	$ 827,488	$ 680,186	$ 645,432	$ 756,619	$ 693,722	$ 626,791		$ 3,049,393	$ 2,722,564	$ 2,464,867
Net income	$ 172,946	$ 191,643	$ 184,219	$ 163,877	$ 138,741	$ 174,574	$ 229,004	$ 4,414		$ 712,685	546,733	483,185
Gain on sale of Monster Non-Energy											161,470
Pro forma financial information
Federal Tax Rates										38.50%
Disposal of Monster Non-Energy
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Gain on sale of Monster Non-Energy									$ 161,500
Coca-Cola Transaction Asset Transfer Agreement \| TCCC
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Net sales											2,722,564	2,464,867
Net income											546,733	483,185
Coca-Cola Transaction Asset Transfer Agreement \| TCCC \| Pro Forma
Pro forma financial information
Net sales											2,808,800	2,676,825
Net income											515,300	601,688
Coca-Cola Transaction Asset Transfer Agreement \| TCCC \| KO Energy
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Net sales											138,127	342,432
Net income											100,575	218,456
Coca-Cola Transaction Asset Transfer Agreement \| TCCC \| Disposal of Monster Non-Energy
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Net sales											(60,778)	(150,374)
Net income											(101,618)	(4,647)
Coca-Cola Transaction Asset Transfer Agreement \| TCCC \| Other
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Net sales											8,887	19,900
Net income											(30,390)	(95,306)
Pro forma financial information
Amortization of deferred revenue											8,887	19,900
To record sales commissions											(15,470)	(38,352)
To record amortization of definite lived KO Energy intangibles											(3,126)	(7,000)
To eliminate TCCC Transaction expenses											15,495	4,824
Estimated provision for income taxes on pro forma adjustments											2,545	9,428
Estimated provision for income taxes on KO Energy income											(38,721)	(84,106)
Total											$ (30,390)	$ (95,306)
Coca-Cola Transaction Asset Transfer Agreement \| TCCC \| KO Energy
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions
Net sales									143,300
Net income									$ 55,200

INVESTMENTS - HTM & AFS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	7 Months Ended
INVESTMENTS - HTM & AFS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Available-for-sale
Amortized Cost	$ 223,144
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	196
Fair Value	222,948
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months	196
Held-to-Maturity
Amortized Cost		$ 759,958
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		63
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses		296
Fair Value		759,725
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months		296
Remaining held to maturity securities available for sale	43,700
Short-term \| Commercial paper
Available-for-sale
Amortized Cost	40,382
Fair Value	40,382
Held-to-Maturity
Amortized Cost		3,978
Fair Value		3,978
Short-term \| Municipal securities
Available-for-sale
Amortized Cost	140,379
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	181
Fair Value	140,198
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months	181
Held-to-Maturity
Amortized Cost		709,207
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		63
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses		192
Fair Value		709,078
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months		192
Short-term \| U.S. government agency securities
Available-for-sale
Amortized Cost	26,057
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	6
Fair Value	26,051
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months	6
Held-to-Maturity
Amortized Cost		23,369
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses		58
Fair Value		23,311
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months		58
Short-term \| Variable rate demand notes
Available-for-sale
Amortized Cost	13,923
Fair Value	13,923
Short-term \| U.S. Treasuries
Held-to-Maturity
Amortized Cost		8,056
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses		13
Fair Value		8,043
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months		13
Long-term \| Municipal securities
Available-for-sale
Amortized Cost	2,403
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	9
Fair Value	2,394
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months	$ 9
Held-to-Maturity
Amortized Cost		11,071
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses		8
Fair Value		11,063
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months		8
Long-term \| U.S. government agency securities
Held-to-Maturity
Amortized Cost		4,277
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses		25
Fair Value		4,252
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position less than 12 Months		$ 25

INVESTMENTS - Major Type - Maturity Period (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments
Amortized Cost	$ 223,144	$ 759,958
Fair Value	222,948	759,725
Commercial paper \| Less than 1 year
Investments
Amortized Cost	40,382	3,978
Fair Value	40,382	3,978
Municipal securities \| Less than 1 year
Investments
Amortized Cost	140,379	709,207
Fair Value	140,198	709,078
Municipal securities \| Due 1 - 10 years
Investments
Amortized Cost	2,403	11,071
Fair Value	2,394	11,063
U.S. government agency securities \| Less than 1 year
Investments
Amortized Cost	26,057	23,369
Fair Value	26,051	23,311
U.S. government agency securities \| Due 1 - 10 years
Investments
Amortized Cost		4,277
Fair Value		4,252
U.S. Treasuries \| Less than 1 year
Investments
Amortized Cost		8,056
Fair Value		$ 8,043
Variable rate demand notes \| Due 1 - 10 years
Investments
Amortized Cost	3,917
Fair Value	3,917
Variable rate demand notes \| Due 11 - 20 years
Investments
Amortized Cost	6,003
Fair Value	6,003
Variable rate demand notes \| Due 21 - 30 years
Investments
Amortized Cost	4,003
Fair Value	$ 4,003

INVESTMENTS - Trading Securities (Details) - Auction rate securities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments
Gain on trading securities sold	$ 250	$ 978
(Loss) gain on trading securities held		(177)
Gain on trading securities	$ 250	$ 801

FAIR VALUE OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - Assets - Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 377,582	$ 2,175,417	$ 370,323	$ 211,349
Short-term investments	220,554	744,610
Investments	2,394	15,348
Asset transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 measurements	0	0
Total fair value
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Cash and cash equivalents	377,582	2,175,417
Short-term investments	220,554	744,610
Accounts receivable, net	236	371
Investments	2,394	15,348
Accrued liabilities	(764)	(588)
Assets measured at fair value	600,002	2,935,158
Cash	278,972	255,723
Foreign currency derivatives	(528)	(217)
Money market funds \| Total fair value
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value	76,112	664,005
Certificates of deposit \| Total fair value
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value		85,007
Commercial paper \| Total fair value
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value	47,855	430,605
Variable rate demand notes \| Total fair value
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value	13,923
U.S. Treasuries \| Total fair value
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value		260,035
Municipal securities \| Total fair value
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value	157,617	731,744
U.S. government agency securities \| Total fair value
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value	26,051	508,256
Level 1
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Cash and cash equivalents	355,084	919,728
Assets measured at fair value	355,084	919,728
Cash	278,972	255,723
Level 1 \| Money market funds
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value	76,112	664,005
Level 2
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Cash and cash equivalents	22,498	1,255,689
Short-term investments	220,554	744,610
Accounts receivable, net	236	371
Investments	2,394	15,348
Accrued liabilities	(764)	(588)
Assets measured at fair value	244,918	2,015,430
Foreign currency derivatives	(528)	(217)
Level 2 \| Certificates of deposit
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value		85,007
Level 2 \| Commercial paper
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value	47,855	430,605
Level 2 \| Variable rate demand notes
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value	13,923
Level 2 \| U.S. Treasuries
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value		260,035
Level 2 \| Municipal securities
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value	157,617	731,744
Level 2 \| U.S. government agency securities
Fair value amounts included in the carrying value of
Assets measured at fair value	$ 26,051	$ 508,256

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES - Notional Amount and Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Foreign currency exchange contracts \| Maximum
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Term of derivative instrument	1 month
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive EUR/pay USD \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities		$ 39,578
Fair Value, Liabilities		(429)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive CAD/pay USD \| Accounts receivable, net.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Assets	$ 22,314
Fair Value, Assets	173
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive SGD/pay USD \| Accounts receivable, net.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Assets	7,915
Fair Value, Assets	24
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive SGD/pay USD \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities		3,837
Fair Value, Liabilities		(30)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive NOK/pay USD \| Accounts receivable, net.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Assets	2,138
Fair Value, Assets	28
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay CLP \| Accounts receivable, net.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Assets	4,094
Fair Value, Assets	9
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay CLP \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities		3,519
Fair Value, Liabilities		(12)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay COP \| Accounts receivable, net.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Assets	2,330	1,351
Fair Value, Assets	2	1
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay GBP \| Accounts receivable, net.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Assets		18,146
Fair Value, Assets		168
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay GBP \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities	7,718
Fair Value, Liabilities	(57)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay EUR \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities	29,621
Fair Value, Liabilities	(325)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay AUD \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities	15,135	14,040
Fair Value, Liabilities	(74)	(82)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay CAD \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities		2,804
Fair Value, Liabilities		(15)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay JPY \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities		2,495
Fair Value, Liabilities		(2)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay ZAR \| Accounts receivable, net.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Assets		17,411
Fair Value, Assets		144
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay ZAR \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities	20,405
Fair Value, Liabilities	(296)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay RUB \| Accounts receivable, net.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Assets		2,173
Fair Value, Assets		9
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay MXN \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities	25,864	8,122
Fair Value, Liabilities	(4)	(15)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay BRL \| Accounts receivable, net.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Assets		2,478
Fair Value, Assets		49
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay BRL \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities	3,138
Fair Value, Liabilities	(3)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Receive USD/pay NZD \| Accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Notional amount, Liabilities	2,076	1,978
Fair Value, Liabilities	$ (5)	$ (3)

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES - Nonhedging Designation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments \| Foreign currency exchange contracts \| Other expense, net
Net gain on derivative instruments
Amount of gain recognized in income on derivatives	$ 1,819	$ 2,503

INVENTORIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
INVENTORIES
Raw materials	$ 58,658	$ 52,043
Finished goods	103,313	104,078
Inventories, net	$ 161,971	$ 156,121

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, gross	$ 283,252	$ 189,874
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(109,909)	(92,520)
Property and equipment, net	173,343	97,354
Total depreciation and amortization expense	30,200	27,000	$ 25,300
Land
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, gross	46,596	6,792
Leasehold improvements
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, gross	2,687	2,804
Furniture and fixtures
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, gross	3,635	3,551
Office and computer equipment
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, gross	11,701	11,080
Computer software
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, gross	3,274	2,530
Equipment
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, gross	114,230	93,465
Building
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, gross	69,547	39,848
Vehicles
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, gross	$ 31,582	$ 29,804

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 1,279,715
Acquisitions	51,928
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,331,643
Amortizing intangibles	71,290	$ 35,263
Accumulated amortization	(14,535)	(3,899)	$ 400
Amortizing intangibles, net	56,755	31,364
Non-amortizing intangibles	975,880	396,622
Intangible, net	1,032,635	427,986
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2017	11,845
2018	11,845
2019	11,845
2020	7,963
2021	4,721
2022 and thereafter	8,536
Amortizing intangibles, net	$ 56,755	$ 31,364
Minimum
Goodwill
Useful life of intangible assets	5 years
Maximum
Goodwill
Useful life of intangible assets	7 years
Monster Energy Drinks
Goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 641,716
Acquisitions	51,928
Goodwill, Ending Balance	693,644
Strategic Brands
Goodwill
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	637,999
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 637,999

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS
Termination costs	$ 79,800	$ 224,000	$ (200)
Distribution agreement, revenue recognition period	20 years
Revenue recognized	$ 26,100	50,500	7,800
Amortization of deferred revenue	$ 5,700	$ 39,800	$ 0

DEBT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
DEBT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015
Capital lease obligations
DEBT
Company debt consisting of capital leases	$ 1,100	$ 800
Period over which monthly installments are payable	12 months
Assets acquired under capital leases
Interest expenses for capital lease obligations	$ 70	30	$ 30
Capital lease obligations \| Assets acquired under capital leases
Assets acquired under capital leases
Net book value	4,500	3,600
Accumulated depreciation	4,500	$ 4,400
Comerica \| Line of credit
DEBT
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 10,000
Outstanding borrowings	$ 0
Comerica \| Line of credit \| Base (prime) rate
DEBT
Effective interest rate on borrowing	base (prime) rate
Comerica \| Line of credit \| Base (prime) rate \| Minimum
DEBT
Percentage to be subtracted to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument	1.00%
Comerica \| Line of credit \| Base (prime) rate \| Maximum
DEBT
Percentage to be subtracted to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument	1.50%
Comerica \| Line of credit \| London Interbank Offered Rates
DEBT
Effective interest rate on borrowing	London Interbank Offered Rates
Comerica \| Line of credit \| London Interbank Offered Rates \| Minimum
DEBT
Percentage that needs to be added to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument	1.25%
Comerica \| Line of credit \| London Interbank Offered Rates \| Maximum
DEBT
Percentage that needs to be added to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument	1.75%
Comerica \| Standby letters of credit
DEBT
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 4,000
Amount outstanding	$ 0
Comerica \| Standby letters of credit \| Minimum
DEBT
Fee (as a percent)	1.00%
Comerica \| Standby letters of credit \| Maximum
DEBT
Fee (as a percent)	1.50%
HSBC China \| Line of credit
DEBT
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 4,000
Amount outstanding	$ 0
HSBC China \| Line of credit \| People's Bank of China
DEBT
Effective interest rate on borrowing	People's Bank of China
Multiplier for calculating effective rate from benchmark rate	1.05

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Rental expense under operating leases	$ 9,900	$ 10,700	$ 6,800
Future minimum rental payments under the operating leases
2017	5,677
2018	1,777
2019	1,231
2020	1,093
2021	992
2022 and thereafter	8,012
Total	$ 18,782

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Contractual Obligations (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) ft² a	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Contractual obligations related primarily to sponsorships and other commitments
Value of purchases from suppliers of limited resources		$ 205,900	$ 332,000	$ 292,800
Land
Contractual obligations related primarily to sponsorships and other commitments
Acres of land \| a	49
Land \| Purchase Agreement
Contractual obligations related primarily to sponsorships and other commitments
Purchase agreement to acquire real estate property	$ 39,100
Guaranteed Maximum Purchase Price	$ 36,800
Guaranteed maximum construction price, remaining amount		33,700
Building and Building Improvements \| Purchase Agreement
Contractual obligations related primarily to sponsorships and other commitments
Area of real estate property \| ft²	1,000,000
Raw material items
Contractual obligations related primarily to sponsorships and other commitments
Purchase Commitments		$ 47,000
Period over which obligations will be paid		1 year
Contractual obligations
Contractual obligations related primarily to sponsorships and other commitments
2017		$ 91,003
2018		49,133
2019		8,257
2020		8,130
2021		6,750
Total		$ 163,273

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Loss Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Accrued loss contingencies	$ 2.8

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Accumulated net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	$ 193
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	23,056	$ 21,878
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 23,249	$ 21,878

- Definition

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

+ References + Details

TREASURY STOCK PURCHASE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 28, 2016	Aug. 02, 2016
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Cash paid for repurchase of common stock		$ 2,252,437	$ 807,967	$ 8,175
Number of shares repurchased of common stock from employees in lieu of cash or withholding taxes due		56,820
Cash payment for repurchase of common stock from employees in lieu of cash or withholding taxes due		$ 2,600
August 2016 Repurchase Plan
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount						$ 250,000
Common stock repurchased (in shares)		5,800,000
Average purchase price (in dollars per share)		$ 43.40
Cash paid for repurchase of common stock		$ 249,900
Existing share repurchase program
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount					$ 2,000,000
Common stock repurchased (in shares)	38,500,000
Average purchase price (in dollars per share)	$ 52.00
Cash paid for repurchase of common stock	$ 2,000,000

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Stock Options (Details) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Jun. 04, 2009	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2016 shares	Jun. 30, 2016 shares	Mar. 31, 2016 shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) plan shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation plans \| plan						2
Compensation expense on share-based plans \| $						$ 45.8	$ 32.7	$ 28.6
Stock options
Stock-based compensation
Common stock granted, net of cancellations (in shares)		1,510,000	42,000	657,000	2,883,000
Excess tax benefit realized for tax deductions from non-qualified stock option exercises and disqualifying dispositions of incentive stock options \| $						$ 20.8	314.7	11.9
2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Stock-based compensation
Aggregate amount of common stock authorized (in shares)		43,500,000				43,500,000
Reduction in number of shares for each share granted		2.16				2.16
Common stock granted, net of cancellations (in shares)						18,799,813
Shares available for grant		21,120,151				21,120,151
2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan \| Stock options
Stock-based compensation
Vesting period						5 years
2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan \| Stock options \| Maximum
Stock-based compensation
Tenure of award						10 years
Deferred Compensation Plan
Stock-based compensation
Deferrals \| $		$ 0.0				$ 0.0
2009 Directors Plan
Stock-based compensation
Aggregate amount of common stock authorized (in shares)		4,800,000				4,800,000
Percentage of award vesting on the last business day prior to the date of the annual meeting						100.00%
2009 Directors Plan \| Minimum
Stock-based compensation
Percentage of closing price of the company's common stock on the date an option is granted to determine the exercise price						100.00%
2009 Directors Plan \| Stock options, non-employee directors
Stock-based compensation
Common stock granted, net of cancellations (in shares)						286,551
Shares available for grant		4,513,449				4,513,449
The period during which awards can be granted, effective June 4, 2009	10 years
Adjustments for New Accounting Principle \| Accounting Standards Update 2016-09: Simplifying the accounting for share-based compensation
Stock-based compensation
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation \| $						$ 20.8
Adjustments to additional paid-in-capital, benefit associated with share-based compensation \| $							$ 314.7	$ 11.9

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Fair Value Assumptions (Details) - Stock options - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted
Dividend yield (as a percent)					0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility (as a percent)					36.20%	37.10%	41.40%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)					1.57%	1.57%	1.55%
Expected term					6 years 3 months 18 days	5 years 9 months 18 days	5 years 9 months 18 days
Stock Options, Number of Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)				19,770	19,770
Granted (in shares)	1,510	42	657	2,883
Exercised (in shares)					(1,887)
Cancelled or forfeited (in shares)					(332)
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	22,643				22,643	19,770
Vested and expected to vest in the future at the end of the period (in shares)	21,269				21,269
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	12,231				12,231
Stock options, Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)				$ 16.95	$ 16.95
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 43.87	$ 52.60	$ 46.18	$ 44.02
Exercised (in dollars per share)					8.72
Cancelled or forfeited (in dollars per share)					33.65
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	23.55				23.55	$ 16.95
Vested and expected to vest in the future at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	22.40				22.40
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 11.26				$ 11.26
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
Balance at the beginning of the period					5 years 9 months 18 days	5 years 7 months 6 days
Balance at the end of the period					5 years 9 months 18 days	5 years 7 months 6 days
Vested and expected to vest in the future at the end of the period					5 years 7 months 6 days
Exercisable at the end of the period					3 years 7 months 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Balance at the beginning of the period				$ 646,497	$ 646,497
Balance at the end of the period	$ 474,739				474,739	$ 646,497
Vested and expected to vest in the future at the end of the period	470,017				470,017
Exercisable at the end of the period	$ 404,982				$ 404,982

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Exercise Prices (Details) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 $ / shares shares
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	22,643
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	5 years 9 months 18 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 23.55
Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	12,231
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 11.26
Range of Exercise Prices $4.51 - $4.51
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Stock options, range of exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	4.51
Stock options, range of exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 4.51
Stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	52
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	1 year 10 months 24 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 4.51
Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	52
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 4.51
Range of Exercise Prices $5.29 - $5.29
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Stock options, range of exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	5.29
Stock options, range of exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 5.29
Stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	3,945
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	1 year 4 months 24 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 5.29
Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	3,945
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 5.29
Range of Exercise Prices $5.61 - $5.61
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Stock options, range of exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	5.61
Stock options, range of exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 5.61
Stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	55
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	2 years 1 month 6 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 5.61
Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	55
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 5.61
Range of Exercise Prices $5.94 - $5.94
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Stock options, range of exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	5.94
Stock options, range of exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 5.94
Stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	3,427
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	2 years 10 months 24 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 5.94
Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	3,427
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 5.94
Range of Exercise Prices $6.02 - $15.71
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Stock options, range of exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	6.02
Stock options, range of exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 15.71
Stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	2,286
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	4 years 10 months 24 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 12.57
Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	1,440
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 10.73
Range of Exercise Prices $15.88 - $22.26
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Stock options, range of exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	15.88
Stock options, range of exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 22.26
Stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	2,268
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	6 years 2 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 18.60
Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	1,666
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 18.43
Range of Exercise Prices $23.00 - $36.05
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Stock options, range of exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	23.00
Stock options, range of exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 36.05
Stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	2,289
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	7 years 2 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 23.83
Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	1,075
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 23.45
Range of Exercise Prices $37.10 - $43.64
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Stock options, range of exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	37.10
Stock options, range of exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 43.64
Stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	2,218
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	9 years 2 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 41.64
Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	162
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 37.42
Range of Exercise Prices $43.99 - $43.99
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Stock options, range of exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	43.99
Stock options, range of exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 43.99
Stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	2,774
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	9 years 1 month 6 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 43.99
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	0.00
Range of Exercise Prices $44.73 - $53.24
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Stock options, range of exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	44.73
Stock options, range of exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 53.24
Stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	3,329
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	8 years 6 months
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 45.53
Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	409
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 45.15

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Equity Awards (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation cost charged against income
Operating expenses			$ 45,848	$ 32,719	$ 28,552
Total employee and non-employee share-based compensation expense included in income, before income tax			45,848	32,719	28,552
Less: Amount of income tax benefit recognized in earnings			(34,909)	(9,058)	(2,932)
Amount charged against net income			10,939	23,661	25,620
Operating expense
Compensation cost charged against income
Total employee and non-employee share-based compensation expense included in income, before income tax			$ 45,800	$ 32,700	$ 28,600
Stock options
Stock-based compensation
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)			$ 16.90	$ 16.73	$ 10.50
Total intrinsic value of options exercised			$ 70,600	$ 870,100	$ 47,100
Cash received from option exercises			16,400	$ 49,200	$ 17,200
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested shares granted to employees			$ 99,600
Cost expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period			3 years 1 month 6 days
Stock units expected to vest (in shares)			21,269
Restricted stock units
Stock-based compensation
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested shares granted to employees			$ 13,900
Cost expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period			1 year 7 months 6 days
Stock units expected to vest (in shares)			500
Number of Shares
Non-vested at the beginning of the period (in shares)		535	535
Granted (in shares)	36	246
Vested (in shares)			(256)
Forfeited/cancelled (in shares)			(5)
Non-vested at the end of the period (in shares)			556	535
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Non-vested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)		$ 33.19	$ 33.19
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 49.65	$ 43.99	44.71	$ 45.50	$ 28.13
Vested (in dollars per share)			31.50
Forfeited/cancelled (in dollars per share)			19.42
Non-vested at the end of the period (in dollars per share)			$ 39.95	$ 33.19
Incentive stock option
Compensation cost charged against income
Total employee and non-employee share-based compensation expense included in income, before income tax			$ 8,000	$ 6,200	$ 4,800
Non-Qualified stock option
Compensation cost charged against income
Total employee and non-employee share-based compensation expense included in income, before income tax			$ 37,800	$ 26,500	$ 23,800

INCOME TAXES - Classification and Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Domestic and foreign components of company's income before income taxes
Domestic	$ 1,029,763	$ 859,039	$ 711,917
Foreign	49,922	32,509	33,871
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	1,079,685	891,548	745,788
Intercompany royalties, management fees and interest charges from the Company's domestic to foreign entities	25,600	29,400	34,900
Current:
Federal	212,283	548,018	228,348
State	35,756	88,671	36,633
Foreign	17,171	10,634	7,467
Total current provision	265,210	647,323	272,448
Deferred:
Federal	87,360	(255,422)	(8,473)
State	15,254	(40,446)	(442)
Foreign	(9,709)	(5,420)	3,476
Total deferred provision	92,905	(301,288)	(5,439)
Valuation allowance	8,885	(1,220)	(4,406)
Total provision for income taxes	$ 367,000	$ 344,815	$ 262,603
Federal statutory rate (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Reconciliation of income tax expense
U.S. Federal tax expense at statutory rates	$ 377,599	$ 312,042	$ 261,025
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	33,148	31,046	23,859
Permanent differences	954	5,285	2,107
Stock Based Compensation	(13,654)	3,203	2,709
Domestic production deduction	(21,447)		(20,607)
Other	(8,765)	(127)	(1,267)
Foreign rate differential	(9,720)	(5,414)	(817)
Valuation allowance	8,885	(1,220)	(4,406)
Total provision for income taxes	$ 367,000	$ 344,815	$ 262,603

INCOME TAXES - Deferred Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Tax Assets:
Reserve for sales returns	$ 149	$ 242
Reserve for doubtful accounts	21	18
Reserve for inventory obsolescence	524	1,126
Reserve for marketing development fund	8,065	10,118
Capitalization of inventory costs	2,714	1,927
State franchise tax-current	18,016	15,143
Accrued compensation	1,212	1,584
Accrued other liabilities	1,967	1,565
Deferred revenue	145,319	152,777
Stock-based compensation	31,873	24,488
Securities impairment	17	289
Foreign net operating loss carryforward	29,894	26,624
Prepaid supplies	8,022	6,065
Termination payments	98,244	81,896
Capital loss carryforward	44	370
Elimination Company Profit	2,843
Gain on intercompany transfer	7,274	7,809
Total gross deferred tax assets	356,198	332,041
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Amortization of trademarks	(18,663)	(12,078)
Intangibles	(131,264)	(134,021)
State franchise tax - deferred	(12,946)	(18,359)
Other deferred tax liabilities	(957)	(2,381)
Depreciation	(6,736)	(7,543)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(170,566)	(174,382)
Valuation Allowance	(26,076)	(17,191)
Net deferred tax assets	159,556	140,468
Increase (decrease) to provision for income taxes	8,900	$ (500)	$ (4,400)
Net operating loss carryforwards	127,300
Net operating loss carryforwards subject to indefinite carryforward	105,300
Net operating loss carryforwards that begin to expire in 2017	$ 22,000

INCOME TAXES - Unrecognized Tax Benefit Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, roll forward
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 471	$ 935	$ 935
Decreases for tax positions related to the prior years	(462)	(464)	0
Balance at the end of the period	9	$ 471	$ 935
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits	$ 100

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic	587,874	566,448	501,771
Dilutive securities	11,945	11,310	21,084
Diluted	599,819	577,758	522,855
Options and awards outstanding excluded from the calculations as their effect would have been antidilutive (in shares)	5,700	3,000	2,100

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN (Details) - Employee 401(k) Plan - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Contribution Plan
Employer matching contribution as a percentage of the employee's contribution	50.00%
Percentage of contribution vested each year	25.00%
Vesting period of contribution by the company	4 years
Matching contributions by the company	$ 2.0	$ 0.7	$ 0.6
Maximum
Defined Contribution Plan
Annual employee contribution limit as a percent of compensation	15.00%
Percent of employee's earnings eligible for employer matching contribution	6.00%

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Product Line (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Product Line (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) segment	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Segment information
Number of reportable segments \| segment									3
Number of operating segments \| segment									3
Net sales	$ 753,765	$ 787,954	$ 827,488	$ 680,186	$ 645,432	$ 756,619	$ 693,722	$ 626,791	$ 3,049,393	$ 2,722,564	$ 2,464,867
Operating income									1,085,338	893,653	747,505
Income before tax									1,079,685	891,548	745,788
Revenue recognized									26,100	50,500	7,800
Gain on sale of Monster Non-Energy										161,470
Depreciation and amortization									40,845	30,860	25,651
Goodwill and other intangible assets	2,364,278				1,707,701				2,364,278	1,707,701
Stock-based compensation expense									45,800	32,700	28,600
Corporate and Unallocated
Segment information
Operating income									(228,505)	(197,474)	(164,279)
Income before tax									(234,334)	(199,939)	(166,657)
Depreciation and amortization									6,227	5,297	5,548
Payroll costs									128,000	109,800	86,200
Stock-based compensation expense									45,800	32,700	28,600
Professional service expenses									66,300	60,800	43,800
Insurance costs									6,000	7,000	7,400
Other operating expenses									28,200	19,900	26,900
Operating segment
Segment information
Net sales									3,049,393	2,722,564	2,464,867
Operating income									1,085,338	893,653	747,505
Income before tax									1,079,685	891,548	745,788
Monster Energy Drinks
Segment information
Depreciation and amortization									24,048	21,464	19,572
Goodwill and other intangible assets	1,334,494				699,346				1,334,494	699,346
Monster Energy Drinks \| Operating segment
Segment information
Net sales									2,759,862	2,518,505	2,314,492
Operating income									1,148,427	836,053	904,224
Income before tax									1,148,640	836,429	904,888
Strategic Brands
Segment information
Depreciation and amortization									7,113	3,868
Goodwill and other intangible assets	1,001,749				$ 1,008,355				1,001,749	1,008,355
Strategic Brands \| Operating segment
Segment information
Net sales									272,520	143,282
Operating income									163,121	89,841
Income before tax									163,084	89,825
Other
Segment information
Depreciation and amortization									3,457	231	531
Goodwill and other intangible assets	$ 28,035								28,035
Other \| Operating segment
Segment information
Net sales									17,011	60,777	150,375
Operating income									2,295	165,233	7,560
Income before tax									2,295	165,233	7,557
Direct Store Delivery ("DSD")
Segment information
Revenue recognized									40,300	62,800	15,000
Distribution Agreements Termination Cost									$ 79,800	$ 224,000	$ (200)

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Concentration Risk (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment information
Net sales	$ 753,765	$ 787,954	$ 827,488	$ 680,186	$ 645,432	$ 756,619	$ 693,722	$ 626,791	$ 3,049,393	$ 2,722,564	$ 2,464,867
Outside United States
Segment information
Net sales									$ 733,700	$ 580,300	$ 534,200
Percentage of net sales to customers									24.00%	21.00%	22.00%
Coca-Cola Refreshments ("CCR")
Segment information
Percentage of net sales from major customer									41.00%	43.00%	29.00%

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
TCCC
Related party transactions
Voting interest (as a percent)	10.00%
Commission expense	$ 28,200	$ 18,000	$ 1,000
Net sales	1,259,700	1,151,700	717,600
Purchases from Related Party	26,200	16,000
Manufacturing expenses	9,600	6,900	6,600
Accounts receivable, net	151,756	172,201
Accounts payable	(41,210)	(58,579)
Accrued promotional allowances	$ (27,056)	(27,544)
Directors and Officers that provide promotional materials
Related party transactions
Number of directors and officers who are principal owners of a company that provides promotional materials \| item	2
Expenses incurred in connection with materials or services provided by a related party	$ 1,500	$ 1,900	$ 600

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) - February 2017 Repurchase Plan - Subsequent event $ in Millions	Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($) shares
Subsequent Events
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount \| $	$ 500.0
Common stock repurchased (in shares) \| shares	0

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
Net Sales	$ 753,765	$ 787,954	$ 827,488	$ 680,186	$ 645,432	$ 756,619	$ 693,722	$ 626,791	$ 3,049,393	$ 2,722,564	$ 2,464,867
GROSS PROFIT	498,113	502,975	517,814	423,098	403,360	465,476	394,508	368,957	1,942,000	1,632,301	1,339,810
NET INCOME	$ 172,946	$ 191,643	$ 184,219	$ 163,877	$ 138,741	$ 174,574	$ 229,004	$ 4,414	$ 712,685	$ 546,733	$ 483,185
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ 0.30	$ 0.34	$ 0.31	$ 0.27	$ 0.23	$ 0.28	$ 0.43	$ 0.01	$ 1.21	$ 0.97	$ 0.96
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$ 0.30	$ 0.33	$ 0.30	$ 0.26	$ 0.22	$ 0.28	$ 0.42	$ 0.01	$ 1.19	$ 0.95	$ 0.92

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for doubtful accounts, sales returns and cash discounts
Changes to valuation allowance
Balance at beginning of period	$ 1,248	$ 1,704	$ 2,926
Charged to cost and expenses	7,389	8,407	2,652
Deductions	(7,516)	(8,863)	(3,874)
Balance at end of period	1,121	1,248	1,704
Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets and Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Changes to valuation allowance
Balance at beginning of period	17,846	19,786	24,130
Charged to cost and expenses	8,240	(1,940)	(4,344)
Balance at end of period	$ 26,086	$ 17,846	$ 19,786