Coca-Cola, Monster Beverage Close On Strategic Partnership

(RTTNews) - Coca-Cola Co. (KO) and Monster Beverage Corp. (MNST) said Friday that they have closed the previously announced strategic partnership related to an equity investment, business transfers and expanded distribution in the global energy drink category.

As a result of the transaction, Coca-Cola now owns an about 16.7% stake in Monster.

Coca-Cola transferred ownership of its worldwide energy business, including NOS, Full Throttle, Burn, Mother, BU, Gladiator, Samurai, Nalu, BPM, Play and Power Play, Ultra and Relentless, to Monster, and Monster transferred its non-energy business, including Hansen's Natural Sodas, Peace Tea, Hubert's Lemonade and Hansen's Juice Products, to Coca-Cola.

Since the transaction was announced, Monster and Coca-Cola and its bottlers have amended their distribution arrangements in the U.S. and Canada by expanding into additional territories and entering into long-term agreements. Coca-Cola also has become Monster's preferred global distribution partner with new international distribution commitments already in place with bottlers in Germany and Norway.

In connection with the closing, Coca-Cola made a net cash payment of about $2.15 billion to Monster.