Shares of Celsius Holdings (NASDAQ:CELH) jumped 6.5% Friday morning after the energy-drink maker spoke at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) conference on Thursday. The increase in the stock came as company executives detailed expected retail shelf-space expansions tied to upcoming spring resets.
Company management told attendees that Celsius-branded products are anticipated to secure at least 17% more shelf space in U.S. retail locations during the spring resets. The Alani Nu brand is projected to see an even larger gain, with shelf space expected to grow by more than 100% in the U.S. during the same retail activity.
Analysts who follow the company signaled support after the presentation. William Blair analyst Jon Andersen, who continues to carry an outperform rating on CELH, said he has become more positive on the stock following management's remarks on the broader energy category, the strength of the brand portfolio, specific commercial initiatives, the partnership with Pepsi and organizational improvements.
Andersen also emphasized the importance of the convenience-store channel to the brands' near-term outlook, noting that convenience stores account for roughly 60% of demand in the energy category. He highlighted convenience as a central driver of the shelf-space increases the company expects from retailers' spring resets.
Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery, who maintains an overweight rating and a $65 price target on the stock, echoed the view that Celsius has clear visibility into upcoming shelf-space gains. Lavery repeated the figures cited by management: a 17% increase in shelf space for Celsius and a 102% increase for Alani Nu in the spring resets.
Lavery cited consumer usage patterns shared by the company, including that 32% of consumers are using energy drinks on more occasions, such as using them as mixers, and that 51% of category growth stems from increased consumption frequency among existing buyers. He said he is keeping his estimates intact but noted there may be upside to his 2026 sales forecast because that projection does not yet incorporate the potential lift from the spring shelf resets.
The company also flagged potential international expansion, with the brands currently available in 10 countries. Analysts highlighted that this limited current footprint represents an area of potential growth as distribution and shelf presence expand.
Market context
The comments at the CAGNY presentation and the ensuing analyst reaction were the primary drivers cited for the stock's early gains on Friday. Management's detailed expectations for shelf-space increases, the emphasis on convenience-store distribution and the noted consumer behavior trends provided investors and analysts with clearer short-term visibility.