Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) and the best and worst performers in the beverages, alcohol, and tobacco industry.

These companies' performance is influenced by brand strength, marketing strategies, and shifts in consumer preferences. Changing consumption patterns are particularly relevant and can be seen in the rise of cannabis, craft beer, and vaping or the steady decline of soda and cigarettes. Companies that spend on innovation to meet consumers where they are with regards to trends can reap huge demand benefits while those who ignore trends can see stagnant volumes. Finally, with the advent of the social media, the cost of starting a brand from scratch is much lower, meaning that new entrants can chip away at the market shares of established players.

The 13 beverages, alcohol, and tobacco stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 6.2% since the latest earnings results.

Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP)

Sporting an impressive roster of iconic beer brands, Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) is a global brewing giant with a rich history dating back more than two centuries.

Molson Coors reported revenues of $2.66 billion, down 2.7% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 15.9% since reporting and currently trades at $42.72.

Is now the time to buy Molson Coors? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Celsius (NASDAQ: CELH)

With its proprietary MetaPlus formula as the basis for key products, Celsius (NASDAQ: CELH) offers energy drinks that feature natural ingredients to help in fitness and weight management.

Celsius reported revenues of $721.6 million, up 117% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 13.5%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Celsius achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 13.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $43.87.

Is now the time to buy Celsius? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Altria (NYSE: MO)

Best known for its Marlboro brand of cigarettes, Altria (NYSE: MO) offers tobacco and nicotine products.

Altria reported revenues of $5.08 billion, flat year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. Still, it was a slower quarter as it posted a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 6.1% since the results and currently trades at $66.96.

Read our full analysis of Altria’s results here.

Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ: KDP)

Born out of a 2018 merger between Keurig Green Mountain and Dr Pepper Snapple, Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ: KDP) is a consumer staples powerhouse boasting a portfolio of beverages including sodas, coffees, and juices.

Keurig Dr Pepper reported revenues of $4.50 billion, up 10.5% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 3.1%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a miss of analysts’ gross margin estimates.

The stock is down 7.4% since reporting and currently trades at $27.58.

Read our full, actionable report on Keurig Dr Pepper here, it’s free.

MGP Ingredients (NASDAQ: MGPI)

Headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, MGP Ingredients (NASDAQ: MGPI) is a leading supplier of high-quality ingredients to the food and beverage industry

MGP Ingredients reported revenues of $138.3 million, down 23.5% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 3.1%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

MGP Ingredients delivered the highest full-year guidance raise but had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 31% since reporting and currently trades at $17.81.

Read our full, actionable report on MGP Ingredients here, it’s free.

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