Constellation Brands announced a leadership transition on February 12, 2026, with CEO Bill Newlands stepping down in favor of Nicholas Fink. The announcement triggered an immediate 8% decline in the company's stock price.
Shares rebounded to close at $156.29 on February 18, representing a 2.35% gain. This recovery followed Q3 results that exceeded market expectations. Beer depletions declined by 3%, which outperformed analyst fears and demonstrated sequential stability.
Analyst price targets currently cluster between $148 and $197. TD Cowen and Deutsche Bank maintained consensus targets near $183–$185. Market analysts suggest the recent sell-off created a strategic buying opportunity.
Structural headwinds remain due to a 25% Mexican import tariff and a 50% aluminum tariff. These measures affect 41% of Mexican beer packaging and are estimated to reduce annual operating profits by $20 million to $90 million. Management expressed cautious optimism regarding Christmas sales and early market improvements to support growth assumptions.