The two 'HALO' stocks that haven't left Josh Brown's list since being added earlier this year
A Ritholtz Wealth Management column revisits “HALO” stocks, focusing on Monster Beverage (MNST) and Coca-Cola (KO). The article says MNST is up 16% since Feb. 9 and reports Q2 net sales of $2.54B (+20.2%) and diluted EPS $0.59 (+19%), after a 2-for-1 split and buyback. It says KO rose 12%, with Q2 net revenue $13.4B (+7%) and raised full-year guidance.
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
The text provides concrete, trader-relevant catalysts (MNST split and blowout quarter; KO guidance raise and volume strength) and pairs them with specific chart levels for risk management.
Market read
Traders get a combined fundamental and technical roadmap for MNST and KO, anchored to newly cited guidance/quarter details and near-term moving-average tests.
What to watch
It does not quantify valuation sensitivity beyond a single forward multiple for KO, nor does it discuss competitive dynamics in energy drinks or FX/aluminum/freight variability beyond noting higher costs.
Background
CNBC frames two “HALO” stocks that have stayed on Josh Brown’s list since February, emphasizing brand moats and a distribution partnership: KO owns about 19.5% of MNST.
Ticker impact
Monster Beverage reported Q2 net sales up 20.2% to $2.54B, completed a 2-for-1 split Aug. 11, and the article flags a 50-day breakout test near $47.
Moderate upside bias if price breaks above the 50-day with support; higher pullback risk if it fails and closes below the cited $41 gap level.
The text provides specific technical levels (50-day near $47, trader stop $41, investor focus $35) plus fresh fundamental catalysts (split and blowout quarter with Q2 growth and margin/EPS improvements).
Coca-Cola raised full-year guidance to about 5% organic revenue growth and 9%-10% comparable EPS growth, with strongest Trademark Coke volume growth in 17 years.
Bullish continuation bias while KO holds the uptrend; risk increases if it loses the 200-day support area referenced around $77 on a closing weekly basis.
The article includes concrete guidance and volume metrics plus specific technical reference points (50-day $83, 200-day $77, RSI 62) that traders can map to risk management.
Market effects
Reinforces the staples narrative that brand-driven demand and distribution moats can offset macro/price competition concerns.
Highlights MNST’s international outperformance (Latin America, Asia Pacific, China) as a driver of sector sentiment toward global consumer growth.
KO’s World Cup-driven volume strength and distribution linkage to MNST underscore how global events and logistics networks can move earnings expectations.
Counterpoint
The article’s bullish setup may be over-weighting technical levels and recent quarters; any normalization in international growth or margin pressure could quickly weaken the thesis.
Key entities
- public_companyMonster Beverage Corp.
Energy drink company; completed a 2-for-1 split Aug. 11 and posted Q2 growth across international regions.
- public_companyThe Coca-Cola Co.
Owns ~19.5% of Monster and raised full-year guidance; reported strong Trademark Coke volume growth tied to the World Cup campaign.
- asset_managerRitholtz Wealth Management
Hosts the “Best Stocks in the Market” segment featuring Josh Brown and Sean Russo.
