Monster Beverage posted record first-quarter net sales of $2.35 billion in 2026, marking a 26.9% increase from $1.85 billion a year earlier and surpassing the $2 billion threshold for a fiscal first quarter for the first time in the company’s history.

The energy drinks company said favourable foreign exchange rates contributed $89.3 million to quarterly sales growth. On a currency-adjusted basis, net sales rose 22.1%.

Growth was driven primarily by Monster’s core energy drinks business, where sales increased 27.6% to $2.19 billion. The segment includes the Monster Energy, Reign, Bang and FLRT brands.

Monster’s Strategic Brands division, which includes energy drink brands acquired from The Coca-Cola Company as well as its affordable Predator and Fury products, reported sales growth of 28.9% to $126.7 million.

International markets continued to play an increasingly important role in the company’s performance. Net sales outside the US climbed 44.9% to $1.06 billion, accounting for around 45% of total quarterly revenue, compared with 40% in the prior-year period.

Operating income increased 28.1% to $730 million, while net income rose 28.6% to $569.5 million.

Gross profit margin declined to 55.0% from 56.5% a year earlier, which Monster attributed to geographical sales mix, higher aluminium can costs and increased freight-in expenses, partly offset by pricing actions.

Hilton H. Schlosberg, Monster's chief executive officer, said: “The global energy drink category continues to demonstrate solid growth, driven by increased consumer demand. We delivered a strong start to the year, with net sales increasing 26.9%, operating income increasing 28.1% and net income per diluted share increasing 27.6% for the 2026 first quarter. Net sales crossed the $2.0 billion threshold for the first time in the company’s history for a fiscal first quarter."

He added: “Our net sales to customers outside the United States increased 44.9% in the 2026 first quarter to approximately 45% of total net sales. This represents the highest percentage of net sales to customers outside the United States recorded by the company to date for a single quarter."

“We remain focused on the growth of our existing core offerings as well as the continued introduction of product innovations, which remain central to our long-term growth strategy."