Is Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) a Top Consumer Defensive Stock to Buy?

Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) is one of the top consumer defensive stocks to buy now. On March 24, analysts at Morgan Stanley reiterated an Overweight rating on Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) with a $96 price target. The bullish stance comes on the heels of the stock pulling back by about 15% from its February high.

Is Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) a Top Consumer Defensive Stock to Buy?

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According to Morgan Stanley, Monster Beverage is well-positioned to deliver 11% long-term organic sales growth above the 9% expected market growth. The growth would not come as a surprise given that the company has delivered 10.7% revenue growth over the past 12 months, backed by an impressive 55.85% gross profit margin in the fourth quarter.

Monster Beverage delivered a 17.6% year-over-year increase in revenue to a record $2.13 billion in Q4 2025, beating consensus estimates by 500 basis points. Amid expected growth, Morgan Stanley has cast doubt on the impact of the Iran conflict on Monster Beverage’s core business. According to the investment bank, the concerns have been blown out of proportion.

Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) develops, markets, and distributes energy drinks and alternative beverages, best known for its flagship Monster Energy brand. Operating as a brand owner, it focuses on innovation, marketing, and formulation, outsourcing manufacturing to co-packers and using Coca-Cola’s distribution network.

While we acknowledge the risk and potential of MNST as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MNST and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

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