UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  December 7, 2018

Monster Beverage Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

1 Monster Way

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

(951) 739 - 6200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Emerging growth company o

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

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On December 7, 2018, Monster Beverage Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that, on Thursday, December 6, 2018, a jury in a California Superior Court in Riverside, California, in the case of Bledsoe v. Monster, unanimously found that Monster Energy drinks do not cause cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release dated December 7, 2018.

2

SIGNATURES

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

3

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS

RELEASE

Jury in California Superior Court Unanimously Found Monster Energy Drinks Do Not Cause Cardiac Arrhythmias or Cardiac Arrest

CORONA, Calif., December 7, 2018 — Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ: MNST) today reported that on Thursday, December 6th, a jury in a California Superior Court in Riverside, California unanimously found that Monster Energy drinks do not cause cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.  The case was Bledsoe v. Monster.

“This is the first case of this type to ever go to verdict and I am pleased the jury listened to the medical and scientific evidence and followed the law,” said Marc P. Miles of Shook, Hardy & Bacon. “After years of unsupported allegations regarding the safety of energy drinks, the jury needed only fifteen minutes to reach this finding.”

More than 100 billion energy drinks have been sold and safely consumed worldwide for more than 27 years. More than 25 billion Monster Energy drinks have been sold and safely consumed worldwide for more than 15 years.

Monster Energy drinks contain approximately 10 mg of caffeine per ounce from all sources.  A 16 oz Monster Energy drink contains less than half the caffeine contained in a same-sized coffeehouse coffee.

Monster has always been confident in the safety of its products and stands by them.  This verdict further validates what Monster has always known - Monster Energy drinks are safe.

Monster was represented by Shook, Hardy & Bacon attorneys Marc Miles, Kristy Schlesinger, Janet Hickson and Gabe Spooner.

Monster Beverage Corporation

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

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