Opinions
Barry Schwartz
Molson Coors Brewing Company
TAP-N
PAST TOP PICK
Sep 03, 2015
Stock price when the opinion was issued
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This is one of the top brewers, but like all the others in the beer industry, Molson Coors is struggling. Their market is extremely mature, with declining consumption. Molson has bought some craft brewers but those companies are getting expensive. Very low multiple and generates good cash flow. They are using free cash to pay down debt. But it's difficulty to find new ways to grow. It's a tough call to say to buy because the company looks relatively cheap, well-managed but maybe not likely to grow much. They're entering into joint ventures with cannabis companies, experimenting with infused beverages. He is not sure how big the market will be for these products. It might get very crowded very quickly. For the next few years, for Molson Coors, these are small projects--tiny in the grand scheme of things.
(A Top Pick Aug 5/14. Up 2.32%.) Facing tough competition from craft brewing, and beer is facing competition from other types of alcoholic drinks. Beer drinking is not going to grow any more but is going to slowly, slowly decline over time. But this company compounds capital. They charge $3 for sugar water and are able to use that to generate a lot of free cash flow to buy other brands and make acquisitions. The jewel in the crown is its 42% ownership in Miller Coors. At some point in time, something is going to have to happen with that joint venture. He is still buying under $70.