Constellation Brands IncSTZBUY ON WEAKNESSApr 19, 2021Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 08, 2026. Market Open.
They report Tuesday. The whole sector has stunk, hurt by the weight-loss drugs which reduces cravings for booze. Also, people are switching from booze to weed. Also, the young are more careful with their health. Meanwhile, the buyers of their Mexican beers over concerns by the Hispanic community over mass deportations. This has been downgraded by many analysts. He expects another miss.
Looking at the chart, Feb/Mar was the first bottom around $161, which is where we are right now. Stock's had a very steep decline from $195 to $161 -- very concerning. Volume's coming in with buyers, but not to the extent of sellers in the January drop. It's up today, which is positive.
If you're buying, be very careful. Small position only. Absolutely no support at current level. Everybody's losing money on it, so there's no patience.
He sold on a negative technical formation, when shares started trading below a falling 200-day MA. Growth is weak, only 2-3%. Beer segment is really decelerating, as are wine/spirits. Premium names could suffer if consumers trade down in a weak economy. 35% acquisition of Canopy Growth may also be an overhang.
Big selloff in January, with a lower low in February. Now trying to establish a higher low in March. If it can hold $175, this is a reverse head and shoulders pattern. Looks like a pretty strong technical base forming; for confirmation, need it to break out ~$185-190 to complete the base. If it does, really interesting. RSI still fairly weak.
Yesterday, LVMH reported a 36% decline in wine and spirits. That is shocking for the entire alcohol sector, and LVMH is the best performer. STZ is -27% in the past year. No alcohol stock is willing to admit to an existential threat, but rather than drinking is normalizing after Covid. He disagrees. Cannabis is cheaper than alcohol, there's a new advisory that links alcohol to increased risk of cancer, younger people are drinking less, and the weight-loss drugs are limited alcohol cravings. What could turn this around is offering something new, like new drinks and better prices (stop increasing prices).
It's been up and down and down. It faces headwinds from the weight-loss drugs reduing consumption of alcohol, potential tariffs on Mexican goods (Modelo is a major brand of theirs), and Latinos, a key consumer, could be deported under Trump. But STZ spews cash and is growing, leading to Trump exempting STZ from tariffs. He just added more shares. He wants STZ to talk about this big brewery they're building in Mexico. He hopes they launch a huge share buyback. This is tricky.
Two weeks it delivered a report beat top and bottom lines, and yet the stock dove. Analysts downgraded. Sellers were fools. STZ is the only grower in the packaged goods space. Managers are conservative--STZ would rather spend money growing their product line like a tech stock, but analysts didn't like all this spending of this cash. STZ stock pulled back and is now up $3 before that pullback, recovering faster than he expected. STZ boasts growth opportunities with a 30% increase in capacity. STZ is spending big on their beers, and bars will reopen soon. Modelo beer is doing incredibly well, with demand outstripping supply. They launched Corona Hard Seltzer is another strong seller. Pacifico beer is a hit with growing Gen Z at 30% even during Covid. STZ has a stake in Canopy Growth and cannabis is being legalized in more and more US states. He predicts Canopy to be profitable in 2022, which will benefit STZ. The market underestimates this partnership. The next time this stock dips, pounce on it.