Constellation Brands ( NYSE: STZ) Stock Forecast

Cannabis stocks could potentially generate outsized gains for shareholders in the upcoming decade. But right now, several cannabis stocks are small- or micro-cap companies reporting massive losses. Many of these stocks are listed on the OTC markets, and remain speculative bets for long-term investors.

But as the upcoming wave of legalization may unlock multiple billion-dollar markets for cannabis companies, one top-rated cannabis stock worth considering is Constellation Brands (STZ). Valued at a market cap of $43.96 billion, Constellation Brands produces, sells, and markets beer, wine, and spirits in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Italy, and New Zealand.

Back in 2017, this well-established vice stock entered the pot ring by investing $190 million in Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth (CGC), taking a 10% stake. In the following year, Constellation Brands invested another $4 billion, increasing its CGC stake to 38.6%.

Constellation Brands Performance In Fiscal Q2?
While Constellation Brands has a sizeable stake in Canopy Growth, it remains one of the largest beer manufacturers globally. It is the number one brand among beer manufacturers in the U.S., and increased beer sales by 12% in fiscal Q2 of 2024 (ended in August). Comparatively, overall sales were up 7% year over year in Q2. Constellation Brands is now looking to gain traction in the high-margin premium beer and wine segments, which is also a fast-growing market.

Priced at 20 times forward earnings, STZ is reasonably priced, given analysts expect adjusted earnings to rise by 11% annually in the next five years.

Currently, STZ pays shareholders a quarterly dividend of $0.89 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 1.45%. These payouts have risen by 14% annually in the last eight years, and the payout ratio of 29.5% indicates there's room for this dividend to keep growing.

Price Momentum
STZ is trading in the middle of its 52-week range and near its 200-day simple moving average.

What does this mean?
Investors are still evaluating the share price, and the stock is still trying to generate some momentum. This is a positive sign for the stock's future value.