Top 5 Consumer Defensive Stocks to Buy Now

In this article, we will list the Top 5 Consumer Defensive Stocks to Buy Now. Please visit Top 10 Consumer Defensive Stocks to Buy Now if you would like to see the extended list and the methodology behind it.

5. Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST)

Stock Upside Potential: 19.68%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 59

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.

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.