Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

An Opportunity Is Brewing for This Stock

By Vibhuti Shah – Updated Apr 6, 2017 at 5:40PM

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

With shares of the specialty coffee company falling recently, has the company turned bitter for investors?

The coffee industry is back in the news with David Einhorn, renowned short-seller, slamming Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Nasdaq: GMCR) for expensive products and opaque accounting procedures. Following his opinion, which was shared in the seventh annual Value Investing Congress, Green Mountain stock fell around 11%. However, instead of signifying serious consequences for the company, this fall may just be the buying opportunity investors are looking for.

Hot products
Despite a questionable economic outlook, Green Mountain has been a strong player in the coffee industry. It acquired Keurig, a coffee machine manufacturing company, in 2006. With this acquisition, Green Mountain bought a strong product portfolio that consisted of coffeemakers and K-Cup machines that brewed single cups of hot beverages. Currently, K-Cups are Green Mountain's most popular offering, bringing in a major portion of its revenue. Einhorn, who is famous for predicting the fall of the now-defunct Lehman Brothers, among other things, said that in addition to discrepancies in Green Mountain's financial disclosures, its K-Cups were expensive product offerings, not justifying their cost.

However, I don't see the popularity of K-Cups going down anytime soon. For one, the Vermont-based company is quickly expanding into the retail segment and already has its K-Cup offerings in Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) and Target (NYSE: TGT) stores. In addition to this, the company is also planning to launch its brewers in the South, Midwest, and West Coast regions of the United States. This expansion into new territories coupled with robust demand could help the company remain a valuable investment option for the next few years.

Strong earnings
With the exception of the most recent quarter, Green Mountain has consistently outperformed analysts' expectations. The company's quarterly results topped market expectations for four of the last five quarters, with profit rising year over year by 44.7%. In the third-quarter results declared in July 2011, Green Mountain reported that its net income increased from $0.13 per diluted share last year to $0.37.

The flavor of partnerships
While past figures are impressive, Green Mountain's future growth prospects are even better. In addition to its product offerings in Wal-Mart and Target, the company is also planning a business partnership with Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX). The popular American coffee maker announced its intention to increase its single-cup coffee sales with the introduction of K-Cups in its stores. This deal is a lucrative business opportunity for Green Mountain that is bound to take its stock northward in the coming few years. Strong product offerings combined with the company's expansion plans into unchartered territories mean that its growth will be even faster than it is currently.

In addition to this, the rising commodity prices that have affected competitors like Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) and Dunkin' Brands (Nasdaq: DNKN) have also enabled Green Mountain to capture a higher market share.

The Fool's line
Considering the popularity of its products, business deals, and partnerships, I think Green Mountain brings a newly fresh opportunity for investors. I wouldn't let the comments of a single analyst determine my outlook on the stock. If anything, I would take a fresh look at my investment options and give serious consideration to Green Mountain as a long-term bet now that they have fallen from their previously lofty multiples.

To stay updated on Green Mountain's rapid growth, click here to add it to your stock watchlist. It's free, personalized, and helps you keep up-to-date on the latest commentary and analysis.

Vibhuti Shah doesn't own any shares in the companies mentioned above. The Motley Fool owns shares of Starbucks and Wal-Mart Stores. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Wal-Mart Stores, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Starbucks. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended creating a lurking gator position in Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended creating a diagonal call position in Wal-Mart Stores. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Invest Smarter with The Motley Fool

Join Over 1 Million Premium Members Receiving…

  • New Stock Picks Each Month
  • Detailed Analysis of Companies
  • Model Portfolios
  • Live Streaming During Market Hours
  • And Much More
Get Started Now

Stocks Mentioned

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. Stock Quote
Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
GMCR.DL
Walmart Stock Quote
Walmart
WMT
$131.31 (0.96%) $1.25
Target Corporation Stock Quote
Target Corporation
TGT
$148.71 (-2.56%) $-3.90
Kraft Foods Group, Inc. Stock Quote
Kraft Foods Group, Inc.
KRFT.DL
Starbucks Corporation Stock Quote
Starbucks Corporation
SBUX
$84.81 (0.76%) $0.64
Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. Stock Quote
Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.
DNKN

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

Related Articles

Motley Fool Returns

Motley Fool Stock Advisor

Market-beating stocks from our award-winning analyst team.

Stock Advisor Returns
329%
 
S&P 500 Returns
106%

Calculated by average return of all stock recommendations since inception of the Stock Advisor service in February of 2002. Returns as of 09/26/2022.

Discounted offers are only available to new members. Stock Advisor list price is $199 per year.

Premium Investing Services

Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.