Some Wall Street Experts See Coca-Cola Buying Out Monster Beverage

Wall Street observers, including experts like The Street founder Jim Cramer, think there’s a very good chance that Coca-Cola will buy energy drink maker Monster Beverage. The company, which already owns 16.7 percent of Monster, could see a buyout as a way to advance its portfolio expansion strategy – including through acquisitions – while gaining a larger share of the U.S. beverage market. It would also like to reverse declines in soda sales – down 16.7 percent year-over-year in the 2nd quarter – and lackluster stock value gains caused in part by the tidal wave of consumer interest in more healthful foods and beverages.