Morgan Stanley cuts Constellation Brands stock rating to Equal-weight

Published 27/02/2025, 12:10
Morgan Stanley cuts Constellation Brands stock rating to Equal-weight

On Thursday, Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) stock rating was downgraded by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) from Overweight to Equal-weight, and the firm also reduced the price target to $202 from $220. The action reflects growing concerns over the long-term growth prospects for the company’s beer segment. According to InvestingPro data, the stock is currently trading at $178.35, with 17 analysts recently revising their earnings estimates downward.

Stifel analysts cited multiple challenges facing Constellation Brands, including the increasing focus on health and wellness, a decline in alcohol consumption among younger generations, the impact of cannabis legalization, rising competition, and the maturity of Constellation’s brand portfolio. These factors, combined with a generally muted growth outlook for the category, prompted the change in rating. The company’s revenue growth stands at 3.7%, while maintaining a solid dividend yield of 2.27%.

Despite these concerns, Morgan Stanley acknowledged that the current valuation of Constellation Brands shares appears reasonable, taking into account the already compressed stock price, which has fallen nearly 25% over the past six months. This suggests that the market may have already factored in some of the headwinds facing the company. InvestingPro analysis indicates the stock is currently trading below its Fair Value, with analyst price targets ranging from $190 to $300.

The downgrade and price target adjustment by Morgan Stanley are significant as they may influence investor perception and the stock’s performance in the market. Constellation Brands, known for its beer, wine, and spirits, will continue to navigate through the shifting landscape of consumer preferences and market dynamics.

Investors and market watchers will be closely monitoring Constellation Brands’ strategies to address these challenges and maintain its position in the competitive beverage industry. The company’s stock performance in the coming quarters will likely reflect its ability to adapt to the evolving market conditions.

In other recent news, Constellation Brands has been the focus of various analysts with differing perspectives on its future performance. RBC Capital Markets maintained an Outperform rating on the company, adjusting the price target to $293, citing the current market valuation as an opportunity despite challenges such as tariffs and environmental factors. In contrast, Piper Sandler downgraded Constellation Brands from Overweight to Neutral, reducing the price target to $200 due to the impact of new tariffs on Mexican imports, which could significantly affect the company’s earnings per share in fiscal year 2026. The firm also noted weaker retail momentum as a contributing factor to their cautious outlook. Meanwhile, Bernstein SocGen Group maintained an Outperform rating but lowered the price target to $300, expressing concerns about potential tariff risks and their impact on earnings. Despite these challenges, the firm remains optimistic about Constellation Brands’ long-term prospects. Additionally, Piper Sandler highlighted positive growth strategies for Constellation Brands, particularly with its Modelo and Pacifico brands, which are expected to gain market share. These analyst insights reflect a mixed but generally cautious view of Constellation Brands’ potential amid ongoing tariff and market challenges.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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