Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM) and the best and worst performers in the beverages, alcohol, and tobacco industry.

These companies' performance is influenced by brand strength, marketing strategies, and shifts in consumer preferences. Changing consumption patterns are particularly relevant and can be seen in the rise of cannabis, craft beer, and vaping or the steady decline of soda and cigarettes. Companies that spend on innovation to meet consumers where they are with regards to trends can reap huge demand benefits while those who ignore trends can see stagnant volumes. Finally, with the advent of the social media, the cost of starting a brand from scratch is much lower, meaning that new entrants can chip away at the market shares of established players.

The 15 beverages, alcohol, and tobacco stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.6% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.6% below.

While some beverages, alcohol, and tobacco stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 1.3% since the latest earnings results.

Slowest Q4: Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM)

Known for its flavorful beverages challenging the status quo, Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM) is a pioneer in craft brewing and a symbol of American innovation in the alcoholic beverage industry.

Boston Beer reported revenues of $402.3 million, up 2.2% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.4%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a disappointing quarter for the company with full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

“The fourth quarter provided a solid finish to 2024 with flat depletions, gross margin expansion and strong cash generation,” said President and CEO Michael Spillane.

The stock is up 2.5% since reporting and currently trades at $240.10.

Read our full report on Boston Beer here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD)

Born out of a complicated web of mergers and acquisitions, Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD) boasts a powerhouse beer portfolio of Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona, and local favorites around the world.

Anheuser-Busch reported revenues of $14.84 billion, up 2.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.5%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 14.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $62.75.

Is now the time to buy Anheuser-Busch? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Zevia (NYSE: ZVIA)

With a primary focus on soda but also a presence in energy drinks and teas, Zevia (NYSE: ZVIA) is a better-for-you beverage company.

Zevia reported revenues of $39.46 million, up 4.4% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a softer quarter as it posted full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 30.8% since the results and currently trades at $2.25.

Read our full analysis of Zevia’s results here.

Altria (NYSE: MO)

Best known for its Marlboro brand of cigarettes, Altria (NYSE: MO) offers tobacco and nicotine products.

Altria reported revenues of $5.11 billion, up 1.6% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged a narrow beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 8.4% since reporting and currently trades at $57.06.

Read our full, actionable report on Altria here, it’s free.

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO)

A pioneer and behemoth in carbonated soft drinks, Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is a storied beverage company best known for its flagship soda.

Coca-Cola reported revenues of $11.4 billion, up 4.2% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 6.5%. It was a very strong quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Coca-Cola scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is up 9.9% since reporting and currently trades at $70.92.

Read our full, actionable report on Coca-Cola here, it’s free.

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