e, a marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages, has reported 9% increase in gross sales to $2.6bn for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2013 compared to $2.4bn in the previous year.Gross sales for the 2013 fourth quarter were up by 14% to $621.1m from $545m a year ago.
Net sales also rose 9% to $2.2bn from $2.1bn in the same period last year. Net sales during the fourth quarter were $540.8m, an increase of 14.7%, compared to $471.5m a year ago.
Monster Beverage reported a marginal drop in net income for the full year to $338.7m against $340m in the year ago period. However, during the fourth quarter net income rose to $76.1m, up by 12%, compared to $68m in the prior year period.
Monster Beverage chairman and CEO Rodney Sacks said "Monster Energy(R) Ultra Red, launched in September 2013, has rapidly become among our best-selling products. In fact, the Monster Energy(R) Ultra line continues to surpass expectations.
"Muscle Monster(R), launched in March 2013, is now ranked second to the market leader in the ready-to-drink protein drink segment in the convenience and gas channel in the United States. We have added two new flavors to this line, Strawberry and Peanut Butter Cup," Sacks added.
"Our distributor in India has launched Monster Energy(R) brand energy drinks, following receipt of regulatory approvals, and we are continuing with our plans to introduce the Monster Energy(R) brand in additional international markets."
