Shares of Celsius Holdings (CELH -7.76%) bubbled more than 22% higher on Thursday morning, following a tasty earnings report. The stock closed Thursday's trading with a 20.4% gain.
Breaking down Celsius' earnings surprise
The health-conscious energy drink maker's fourth-quarter sales nearly doubled year over year, rising from $178 million to $347 million. The bottom line swung from a $0.12 loss per share to $0.17 of positive earnings per share. The analyst community's consensus targets stopped at $331 million and $0.15 per share, respectively.
Yummy returns on fiscal discipline and low-cost marketing
The rambunctious revenue growth suggests an intense commitment to optimal sales growth at any cost. Celsius, however, is actually applying a careful blend of effective marketing and surprisingly conservative fiscal management.
The company signed multiyear sponsorship deals with several MLS soccer clubs and one high-profile Formula One racing team in the fourth quarter, supported by an aggressive marketing campaign on social media. But Celsius relies heavily on word-of-mouth marketing, chiefly focused on the Celsius brand, rather than specific products or flavors.
As a result, adjusted sales and marketing expenses increased by just 45%, while the resulting sales almost doubled. Celsius is profitable from an earnings-based perspective, and free cash flow has been strongly positive for two years.
The stock isn't cheap, with valuation ratios soaring far above those of head-to-head rival Monster Energy. But the premium price makes sense in light of Celsius' high-octane business growth and surprisingly early access to positive profits.
The stock trades at a fresh all-time high after Thursday's big jump, and this is probably not the end of the energy drink maker's growth story. Every high-growth stock looks risky at first glance, and Celsius is no exception to that rule. Still, that healthy income statement has a calming effect -- and mighty PepsiCo wouldn't sign a long-term distribution partnership with a high-risk business teetering on the edge of financial disaster.
The road ahead looks bumpy. Celsius will probably experience a few sharp price drops along the way. Consider adding a modest Celsius position to your portfolio if you can handle that turbulence. I think there's a lot of fizz left in this energy brew.
