What is Rockstar’s stock price, and are they publicly traded? Unfortunately, investors cannot purchase shares of Rockstar Energy because it is a private company. However, Pepsi (NASDAQ: PEP), Monster Energy (NASDAQ: MNST), and Celsius (NYSE: CELH) are beverage stock symbols that traders can invest in.
Are you a fan of energy drinks? Even if you aren’t, I can tell you there is a huge market for these beverages. The global energy drink industry is worth nearly $80 billion in 2024. By 2030, energy drinks should be worth more than $125 billion.
They aren’t very healthy, but that has never seemed an issue for people who drink them. As an investor, I view the industry as having a loyal consumer base, a semi-addictive product, and backing from large consumer conglomerates.
The industry isn’t without its risks. Energy drinks are often called a fad, but they could be very good. I prefer coffee, but I prefer to have it on my own. There is no doubt about the popularity of energy drink brands like Rockstar Energy, even among mainstream consumers.
But does that make it a good company to invest in? In this article, I’ll look at Rockstar Energy, buying Rockstar stock, and how profitable it can be to invest in energy drinks.
Is Rockstar Publicly Traded?
Rockstar is owned by PepsiCo after Weiner sold Rockstar in 2020. Technically, Rockstar isn’t a private company. However, it’s not a public company either and does not have a tock symbol. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to buy Rockstar stock like you can with some of its energy drink rivals.
The closest thing to owning shares of Rockstar is owning PepsiCo stock. As a result, this will expose you to Rockstar and the many other brands that PepsiCo owns. These include Frito-Lay snacks, Pepsi sodas, Aquafina water, and Gatorade sports drinks.
Rockstar Company Overview
Rockstar Energy is an American energy drink brand that started in 2001. It was founded by Russ Weiner, better known as the son of the right-wing radio show host Michael Savage (real name Michael Alan Weiner). The brand has consistently been among the world’s largest and best-selling energy drinks.
As of 2024, Rockstar has had more than 20 different flavor iterations and has been sold in more than 30 countries worldwide. The original Rockstar recipe held a long list of herbal ingredients, including Panax ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and guarana-seed extract. The amount of guarana has decreased in recent years after being linked to having short-term impacts on energy levels and cognition.
In 2020, PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) acquired Rockstar for $3.85 billion. Pepsi had already been the lead global distributor for Rockstar since it took those distribution rights from Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) in 2009. Can I buy Rockstar stock?
Is Pepsi a Good Investment?
PepsiCo is considered a blue-chip consumer conglomerate. It is the third-largest consumer staple company next to Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG). It is one of the world’s largest snack food and beverage companies. Pepsi’s products are sold in more than 200 countries.
These stats are all impressive, but does that make PepsiCo a good investment? For value investors, PepsiCo has been a solid holding. It’s returned about 25% over the past five years and nearly 7,000% if you managed to get in at its IPO in 1978.
As with most high cash-flow companies, its dividend is the crown jewel of owning PepsiCo. The company is a Dividend King because it has raised its dividend for 52 years.
The stock is a component of the NASDAQ 100, S&P 100, and S&P 500 indexes. To answer your question, yes, Pepsico is a great blue-chip investment. With its exposure to snack foods, PepsiCo offers a more diversified catalog than its chief rival, Coca-Cola.
PepsiCo offers over 300 different beverages and owns ten different billion-dollar brands. Owning Pepsi is almost like owning Rockstar stock.
Rockstar Revenue and Financial Overview
|
Year
|
Estimated Revenue ($bn)
|
2025 (est.) |
$2.3 |
|---|---|
|
2024 |
$2.1 |
|
2023 |
$2.0 |
|
2022 |
$1.9 |
|
2021 |
$1.8 |
Public Energy Drink Companies to Consider
| Symbol | Name |
|---|---|
| MGM | MGM Resorts |
| LVS | Las Vegas Sands |
| WYNN | Wynn Resorts |
| PENN | PENN Entertainment |
| CZR | Caesars Entertainment |
Do you still want to invest in the energy drink sector? Buying PepsiCo stock is a great way to get exposure to snack foods and energy drinks. It’s the only way to invest in Rockstar stock at the moment. But what about other companies?
There are a few other public companies that you can consider if you want to invest in energy drinks.
Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO)
If you are considering buying PepsiCo stock, you must also consider buying Coca-Cola. This company needs no introduction and is among the most recognizable brands in the world. Coca-Cola is in every country except for North Korea and Cuba.
The beverage giant is known for its brands like Sprite, Dasani, Topo Chico, and Powerade, to name a few. As for energy drinks, Coca-Cola has sold its branded energy drinks and owned a nearly 20% stake in Monster Energy since 2014.
As for the stock, it is famously known as being one of Warren Buffett’s largest holdings. Berkshire Hathaway owns about 9.3% of the shares and is the largest shareholder of Coca-Cola stock.
It is a component of the S&P 100, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average. Coca-Cola is also a Dividend King, having raised its quarterly dividends for 62 consecutive years! As a result, consider them as a Rockstar stock alternative.
Monster Energy (NASDAQ: MNST)
Monster Energy is the largest energy drink brand based on market capitalization. It was founded in 1935 in California as the company Hansen’s. It wasn’t until 2012 that the company rebranded itself as Monster and shifted its focus to energy drinks.
Under Monster’s umbrella, the company owns other energy drink brands like Nos, Full Throttle, Bang Energy, Reign, and Relentless.
This stock is famously known for returning more than 100,000% since 2000, easily making it the best-performing stock in that period. MNST is a component of the NASDAQ 100 and S&P 500 indexes.
Over the past five years, MNST has returned more than 80% to shareholders without paying a quarterly dividend.
Monster has the second-highest energy drink market share after the privately owned Red Bull. Owning Monster is a good alternative to Rockstar stock if you want strictly energy drinks.
Celsius Holdings (NYSE: CELH)
What a difference a year can make. Last year, Celsius was one of the best growth stocks on the stock market. The stock hit nearly $100 earlier this year but has since fallen by more than $70 on some slowing growth numbers.
Celsius has an exclusive global distribution deal with PepsiCo. This agreement also saw Pepsi taking an 8.5% stake in Celsius, meaning it owns a significant stake in both Celsius and Rockstar.
As I mentioned, this stock has taken a beating this year. Shares are down by more than 48% in 2024, which has taken Celsisus’ market cap down to $7 billion. Does the stock deserve such a correction in price?
Probably not. Celsius is expanding into other global markets and still believes in PepsiCo. Celsius does not pay dividends, but the stock is on the S&P 400 small-cap index.
Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX)
I said I prefer coffee, but why is Starbucks on this list of energy drink stocks? Caffeinated drinks are similar to energy drinks, and Starbucks has released some.
These include its popular double-shot energy coffee drinks and its new triple-shot energy drink. You might not immediately think of Starbucks when you hear about energy drinks, but the world’s largest coffee chain is a capable player.
As for the stock, Starbucks has also struggled this year and has only picked up its performance recently. One of the reasons for the recent turnaround was the introduction of a new CEO in September 2024.
Shares of SBUX have returned about 3.0% so far in 2024 but remain a blue-chip favorite of institutional investors.
The stock is still a component of the S&P 500, S&P 100, and NASDAQ 100 indexes. Starbucks pays a 2.36% dividend yield and has increased it for 13 consecutive years.
Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM)
Boston Beer is an American beverage company founded in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts. It is known for its beer and alcohol brands like Sam Adams, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard, and Truly Hard Seltzers. Boston Beer has partnered with PepsiCo to distribute its alcoholic Mountain Dew energy drink.
This stock is another beverage brand that has struggled in 2024. Shares of SAM have lost about 17% in 2024 and more than 22% over the past twelve months. The stock has been popular recently.
But, like Celsius, it has fallen out of favor with investors. Sam Adams stock is a component of the S&P 400 small-cap index.
Final Thoughts on Rockstar Energy Stock
The energy drink sector is small and mostly controlled by big beverage players. Investing in big companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola will expose you to energy drinks, snacks, and beverages.
You can also own energy drink companies by buying Celsius, Monster Energy, or Prime, since you can’t trade Rockstar stock.
The results from these companies are a mixed bag. As with many top-heavy industries, the energy drink sector is going down the road of consolidation among the major players. Even though there’s no Rockstar stock, there are several beverage companies that traders can invest in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rockstar Energy a Public Company?
No, Rockstar stock isn’t public. PepsiCo, a public company, owns it. If you want to buy Rockstar stock, the closest thing you can do is buy shares of Pepsi for your portfolio.
Who is the Biggest Energy Drink Company?
The largest publicly traded energy drink company is Monster Energy. In terms of the global energy drink market, the largest company is private, Red Bull, which commands nearly 45% of the market.
What Energy Drink Did Coke Buy?
Coca-Cola owns a major stake in Monster Energy after acquiring more than 16% of the company in 2014. The company also distributes energy drinks under the Coca-Cola brand.
How Much Did Pepsi Pay for Rockstar Energy?
PepsiCo bought the Rockstar Energy brand for $3.85 billion in 2020. The company still owns Rockstar in 2024 and distributes its products in 30 countries worldwide.