Hansen Natural Should Energize Your Portfolio

According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, the alternative beverage segment is the fastest growing category of the beverage industry. One company from this segment that I particularly like is Hansen Natural Corporation (HANS). It develops, markets, sells, and distributes alternative beverage category natural sodas, energy drinks (including the popular Monster energy drinks), non-carbonated iced-tea, etc.

Hansen Natural in many ways epitomizes the strong growth in the alternative beverage segment, boasting an impressive 40 percent annual growth rate over the last five years. During the 13 weeks through January 24, 2009, Neilsen reports that at all convenience, grocery, drug and mass outlets (excluding Wal-Mart), Monster grew by approximately 14 percent while the energy drink segment grew by 8 percent. This outperformance continued through May of this year with industry sales declining 4.6 percent while HANS grew 0.2 percent.