Molson Coors beats quarterly estimates on price hikes, premium beer demand

Molson Coors Beverage Co

30/04/2026 13:02

April 30 (Reuters) - Molson Coors TAP.N on Thursday beat analysts' estimates for first-quarter sales and profit, helped by price increases and demand for premium beer, especially in its Americas business.

Shares of the brewer rose 2% before the bell as it reaffirmed its annual forecasts despite flagging inflationary commodity costs and an uncertain global macroeconomic environment.

The maker of beers such as Coors Light and Miller Lite has raised prices to mitigate the impact of rising raw material costs, including aluminum, and to cushion against softer demand.

The brewer has been pushing premium offerings such as Blue Moon Belgian White and Peroni Nastro Azzurro, while also expanding into faster-growing categories including ready-to-drink flavored cocktails.

Its net sales rose 2% to $2.35 billion for the quarter ended March 31, above analysts' expectations of $2.33 billion.

Underlying earnings per share rose 24% to 62 cents, driven by cost controls, handily beating estimates of 37 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Total volumes fell nearly 3% as weaker demand and stiff competition weighed on the U.S. and European markets, where consumers remain cautious amid persistent inflation.

Executives struck a cautious tone on demand and costs.

Chief Executive Rahul Goyal said the company was operating in a "dynamic external environment with limited near‑term visibility."

Molson Coors is also contending with higher input prices, particularly aluminum surcharge, which added roughly $30 million in additional costs in the quarter, the company said.

For the full year 2026, it expects net sales in the range of a fall of 1% to growth of 1% from last year and adjusted earnings per share to fall between 11% and 15%.

It also warned that U.S. volumes in the second quarter are likely to drop 6% to 9% year‑on‑year, with cost pressures peaking mid‑year before easing in the second half.

 (Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)

 ((Savyata.Mishra@thomsonreuters.com;))