Monster Beverage Corp. (MNST) shares surged over 5% in pre-market trading on Friday, February 28th, 2025, following the company's impressive fourth-quarter 2024 earnings report released after the market close on Thursday.

The energy drink maker reported record net sales of $1.81 billion in Q4 2024, a 4.7% increase from the previous year, driven by robust growth in the global energy drink category. Monster's gross profit margin expanded to an impressive 55.3%, up from 54.2% in Q4 2023, primarily due to reduced input costs.

While operating expenses rose, impacted by impairment charges and increased payroll costs, Monster's adjusted operating income still grew by 7.9% to $517.9 million in the quarter. The company expressed optimism about the long-term prospects for the Monster brand, particularly in key markets like China and India, where its affordable Predator energy drink lineup is gaining traction.

Commenting on the results, Monster CEO Rodney Sacks highlighted the sustained growth in the global energy drink category, with strong demand across regions like EMEA, APAC, and Latin America. The company's innovation pipeline for 2025 was also highlighted, with recent launches like Monster Ultra Vice Guava and Monster Energy Ultra Blue Hawaiian receiving positive consumer responses.

Analysts were bullish on Monster's prospects following the earnings beat, with firms like Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley raising their price targets on the stock. They cited the company's ability to drive growth through pricing and innovation while capitalizing on the rising demand for energy drinks worldwide.