USA: Boston Beer’s Q2 earnings significantly exceed analyst expectations

Boston Beer Company Inc reported second-quarter earnings that significantly exceeded analyst expectations, driving shares up 8% despite a challenging industry environment marked by declining beer consumption, Investing.com reported on July 25.

The maker of Samuel Adams beer and Truly Hard Seltzer posted adjusted earnings of $5.45 per share for the second quarter, surpassing the analyst estimate of $3.92 by $1.53. Revenue came in at $587.9 million, slightly below the consensus estimate of $588.75 million but representing a 1.5% increase YoY. The company’s gross margin expanded to 49.8%, up 380 basis points from the same period last year.

"Despite a weaker volume environment, we have raised our gross margin guidance as we continue to see positive impacts from our multi-year margin enhancement initiatives," said Chairman and Founder Jim Koch in a statement.

The earnings beat came despite a 5% decrease in depletions and a 0.8% decrease in shipments during the quarter. The company attributed the volume decline to economic uncertainty affecting consumer behavior and poor weather during key selling weeks.

"We are encouraged by our strong gross margin and earnings performance in the first half of 2025 and the positive consumer response to our Sun Cruiser innovation," said President and CEO Michael Spillane.

Boston Beer updated its full-year guidance, now expecting depletions and shipments to decline between high single digits to low single digits, compared to previous guidance of down low single digit to up low single digit. However, the company raised its gross margin forecast to between 46% and 47.3%, up from the previous range of 44% to 46.5%.

The company has been actively returning cash to shareholders, repurchasing $110.5 million in shares from December 30, 2024, to July 18, 2025. Boston Beer ended the quarter with $212.4 million in cash and no debt.