MC
MOLSON COORS BEVERAGE CO (TAP)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 was defined by a large non-cash impairment but underlying operations tracked expectations: Net sales fell 2.3% to $2.97B; underlying EPS was $1.67 (-7.2% YoY). GAAP EPS was a loss of $14.79 due to a $3.65B partial goodwill impairment and $273.9M intangible impairments .
- Against S&P Global consensus, TAP slightly missed revenue ($2.97B vs $3.01B*) and EPS ($1.67 vs $1.70*) but beat EBITDA ($670M vs $653M*). Management reaffirmed full-year guidance but now expects results at the low end of ranges* .
- Americas volumes fell 6.5% as contract brewing headwinds and U.S. category softness weighed; EMEA&APAC net sales rose 2.4% on FX and premiumization despite lower volumes .
- CEO outlined a faster, leaner execution model, including an Americas restructuring (~400 salaried roles; $35–$50M charges) and renewed focus on core, economy, above-premium (Peroni), and Beyond Beer (Fever-Tree) as catalysts for mix-led growth .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Price/mix and premiumization supported net sales per hectoliter (+4.0% reported; +2.9% cc) as TAP leaned into favorable brand and geography mix .
- EMEA&APAC delivered reported net sales growth (+2.4%) on FX and premiumization despite volume declines; net sales/hl +7.6% reported .
- Management reaffirmed full-year guidance (net sales -3% to -4% cc; underlying pretax -12% to -15% cc; underlying EPS -7% to -10%) and emphasized balance sheet flexibility and shareholder returns .
- “We believe the incremental softness in the industry this year is cyclical… we are well positioned with a healthy balance sheet, strong free cash flow, and great brands” — CEO Rahul Goyal .
What Went Wrong
- U.S. industry weakness and competition pressured volumes: Financial volume -6.0%, Americas brand volume -4.4% (U.S. -4.9%) .
- Non-cash impairments created a GAAP loss: $3.65B partial goodwill (Americas) and $273.9M intangible (Staropramen; Blue Run Spirits) drove GAAP loss before tax of $3.50B .
- Midwest premium aluminum costs trended at the high end of expectations, with October above the range, pressuring COGS despite hedging programs .
Financial Results
Actual vs S&P Global Wall Street Consensus – Q3 2025
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment breakdown – Q3 2025 vs Q3 2024
KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO Rahul Goyal: “We recognize the challenges and opportunities ahead… designed to create a leaner, more agile organization… advancing our ability to reinvest in the business and return cash to shareholders” .
- CFO Tracey Joubert: “Underlying results were largely as expected… challenging industry and increased competition… reaffirming full year guidance, but now expect the low end of ranges” .
- On portfolio priorities: “Strengthening core and economy… significant runway in above premium (Peroni)… step up focus on Beyond Beer… partnerships like Fever-Tree” .
- On cost headwinds: “Midwest premium costs will exceed prior year by $40–$55M with most increases in 2H; prices at the high end in Q3 and slightly above in October” .
Q&A Highlights
- Inventory posture: Entering 2026 with healthy days of inventory; Q4 U.S. STW expected to trail STR; aim to pivot supply early next year .
- Cyclical vs structural debate: Management sees 2025 category softness as cyclical; expects return to pre-2025 declines (~-3% range) as macro issues abate .
- Capital deployment: Preference for accretive, scalable deals; Beyond Beer likely focus; maintain dividend and repurchases within ~2.5x leverage target .
- Economy brands strategy: Emphasis on regional execution, pricing architecture, disciplined marketing; stabilize High Life/Keystone .
- Restructuring savings: Charges $35–$50M in Q4; many reductions relate to open positions; redeploy savings to brands and capabilities; specific savings cadence not yet disclosed .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus for Q3 2025: Revenue $3.008B*, Primary EPS $1.70*, EBITDA $653M*; TAP delivered $2.974B revenue , $1.67 underlying EPS , and $670M underlying EBITDA . Slight revenue and EPS misses were offset by an EBITDA beat*.
- Target Price Consensus Mean: ~$50.90*; Consensus Recommendation was not available in the data set*.
- Implications: Street likely lowers revenue/EPS near term to reflect category softness and high Midwest premium, but EBITDA resilience and mix improvement could temper estimate cuts*.
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Underlying operations tracking to low end of guidance amid category softness; expect near-term estimate moderation centered on revenue and EPS while EBITDA holds up on mix and cost savings .
- Narrative pivot under new CEO: leaner Americas org, faster local execution, redeployment of savings to core, economy, above premium, and Beyond Beer—catalysts for mix-led margin defense .
- Watch cost inflation: Midwest premium remains elevated; hedging limited—monitor aluminum premium trajectory and pass-through dynamics into FY26 plans .
- Segment divergence: Americas volumes pressured by contract brewing exits and U.S. category weakness; EMEA&APAC supported by premiumization and FX—track Peroni, Madrí, and Blue Moon actions .
- Balance sheet capacity intact: Net debt/EBITDA at 2.28x; management remains committed to dividend and buybacks; opportunistic M&A in Beyond Beer could add scalable growth .
- Trading setup: Near-term overhang from impairments and cost headwinds; catalysts include restructuring details, holiday execution, Peroni/Blue Moon momentum, and visibility on Midwest premium moderation .
- Medium-term thesis: Mix upgrade, premium brand investments, and Beyond Beer expansion alongside efficiency gains can rebase margins and restore low single-digit organic growth once macro normalizes .
Additional Relevant Press Releases (Q3 context)
- Americas restructuring announced Oct 20, 2025 (~400 salaried roles; $35–$50M charges), aligning with Q3 “subsequent event” disclosure .
- Q3 webcast notice (Oct 1) available; operational slides provide context for Midwest premium and segment drivers .