Celsius Q1 2025 presentation: Revenue declines 7% as Alani Nu acquisition closes

Introduction & Market Context

Celsius Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:CELH) presented its Q1 2025 financial results on May 6, highlighting a period of transition as the company completed its acquisition of Alani Nu while facing domestic sales challenges. The energy drink maker reported a 7% year-over-year revenue decline but maintained strong gross margins and continued international expansion.

The presentation comes as Celsius stock has experienced significant volatility, with premarket trading showing a 6.7% decline to $31.62. This follows a period of recovery after the company’s Q4 2024 results, which had previously triggered a 31.81% surge in the stock price.

Quarterly Performance Highlights

Celsius reported Q1 2025 revenue of $329.3 million, a 7% decrease from $355.7 million in the same period last year. The company attributed this decline to "early Q1 velocity softness and structure of PEP incentives," referencing its distribution partnership with PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP).

As shown in the following quarterly financial summary:

North American revenue, which accounts for approximately 93% of total sales, declined 10% year-over-year to $306.5 million. However, international revenue showed robust growth, increasing 41% to $22.8 million compared to Q1 2024.

Despite the revenue challenges, Celsius improved its gross margin to 52.3%, a 110 basis point increase from 51.2% in Q1 2024. This margin improvement reflects the company’s focus on operational excellence, which was highlighted as a key strategic pillar.

Net income fell 43% to $44.4 million, with diluted earnings per share declining to $0.15 from $0.27 in the prior year period. On an adjusted basis, EPS was $0.18, down 33% year-over-year.

The company’s consolidated revenue trend over the past five quarters shows a pattern of moderation after previous periods of explosive growth:

Strategic Initiatives

The most significant strategic development in Q1 was the completion of the Alani Nu acquisition, which closed on April 1, 2025. This acquisition strengthens Celsius Holdings’ position in what the company calls the "modern energy" segment, particularly among younger consumers.

Celsius outlined its growth strategy focused on three key pillars: "More People," "More Places," and "More Often," underpinned by operational excellence:

The international expansion remains a bright spot for Celsius, with five consecutive quarters of growth in overseas markets:

The company also reported success in expanding its retail presence, with spring resets delivering 4.1 additional items per store for Celsius products. This expansion supports the company’s "More Places" strategic pillar.

Competitive Industry Position

Celsius Holdings has established itself as a significant player in the energy drink market, now ranking as the #3 energy drink portfolio in the U.S. with a 15.5% market share. The company’s presentation highlighted its role as a category growth leader, contributing 50% of all energy drink category growth in 2024.

The following chart illustrates Celsius’ dramatic growth trajectory over the past five years:

With the addition of Alani Nu, Celsius Holdings now commands a combined market share that strengthens its competitive position against industry leaders. The current market share breakdown shows Red Bull leading with 37.1%, followed by Monster at 27.6%, and Celsius at 16.2%:

The retail sales data for Q1 2025 shows the relative positioning of major brands in the energy drink category:

Forward-Looking Statements

Looking ahead, Celsius Holdings is positioning itself for future growth through several initiatives. The company expects to realize approximately $50 million in cost synergies over two years from the Alani Nu acquisition, similar to what was mentioned in previous earnings calls.

The company’s presentation emphasized its continued focus on expanding distribution, with Celsius products now sold in over 241,000 U.S. retail outlets and achieving 98.7% ACV (All Commodity Volume).

Celsius Holdings presented itself as well-positioned in the growing energy drink category, with its portfolio of "The World’s Most Refreshing Energy Drinks" targeting health-conscious consumers:

While the company faces near-term challenges in North American sales, management expressed confidence in its ability to drive growth through increased distribution, international expansion, and the integration of Alani Nu. The improved gross margins also suggest potential for profitability improvements as the company addresses its revenue challenges.

As Celsius continues to navigate the competitive energy drink landscape, investors will be watching closely to see if the company can return to growth in its core North American market while successfully integrating its significant acquisition.

Full presentation:

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