The two 'HALO' stocks that haven't left Josh Brown's list since being added earlier this year

Cnbc · Aug 17, 2026 · 1616 words · By Josh Brown; Sean Russo; Joshua Brown

Stock Market Analysis Brand Loyalty Consumer Staples Investment

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(This is The Best Stocks in the Market , brought to you by Josh Brown and Sean Russo of Ritholtz Wealth Management.) Josh — Thirsty?

Claims checked 23

Techniques found 3

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center50%

Right50%

2 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

(This is The Best Stocks in the Market , brought to you by Josh Brown and Sean Russo of Ritholtz Wealth Management.) Josh — Thirsty?

Why it matters

Good, because we have two beverage stocks worthy of your attention.

Common ground

Back in February, we introduced the idea of HALO stocks .

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Bandwagon, Glittering Generalities: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Stock Market Analysis story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that U.S. and Canada, the mature market, grew 11.5%?
How does this story connect Stock Market Analysis with Brand Loyalty over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/17/the-two-halo-stocks-that-havent-left-josh-browns…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 90% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

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Bandwagon 70% confidence

Persuading the audience by suggesting that many people already support the idea.

Why it matters: Recognizing bandwagon helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Glittering Generalities 80% confidence

Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.

Why it matters: Recognizing glittering generalities helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 23 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 13

info Single Source 4

verified Verified 2

verified Verified By Reference 2

check_circle Corroborated 1

help Insufficient Evidence 1

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Claim 1: “U.S. and Canada, the mature market, grew 11.5%.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 2: “an arrangement that started with a $2.15 billion investment for 16.7% in 2015”

VERIFIED

Web search evidence explicitly confirms that Coca-Cola acquired a 16.7 percent stake in Monster for $2.15 billion in 2015.

info

Claim 3: “Monster is a pure-play energy drink company consisting of Monster Energy, Reign, Predator, Fury and a smaller alcohol segment of craft beers and hard seltzers.”

SINGLE SOURCE

While Wikipedia mentions Monster Beverage manufactures Monster Energy and Reign, the specific list including Predator, Fury, and the alcohol segment is not corroborated by the provided evidence snippets, though it aligns with general company knowledge. However, based strictly on provided evidence, it is not verified.

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Claim 4: “Asia Pacific grew 35.7% with China up 62.5% and India up 84%.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 5: “Management raised full-year guidance to roughly 5% organic revenue growth and 9%-10% comparable EPS growth, with free cash flow around $12.4 billion.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 6: “The FIFA World Cup campaign drove the strongest Trademark Coca-Cola volume growth in 17 years at 5% and Powerade volume grew 8%.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 7: “Net revenue grew 7% to $13.4 billion, organic revenue grew 6% and global unit case volume grew 5%.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 8: “Coca-Cola owns roughly 19.5% of Monster Beverage”

SINGLE SOURCE

One web search result mentions Coca-Cola owns 19% of Monster Beverage's shares. The claim specifies 19.5%, which is very close, but there aren't multiple independent sources provided to corroborate the exact 19.5% figure.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) is an authorized bottler of Coca-Cola beverages, headquartered in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. As of 2026, the company is the 8th-largest C…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-Cola_Beverages_Africa

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Coca-Cola Freestyle is a touch screen soda fountain distributed and run by the Coca-Cola Company. First launched in July 2009, the machine features over 165 different Coca-Cola drink products, as well…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-Cola_Freestyle

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Coca-Cola Vanilla, originally marketed (and still commonly known) as Vanilla Coke, is a vanilla-flavored version of Coca-Cola, a cola soft drink, produced by The Coca-Cola Company since 2002. A no-cal…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-Cola_Vanilla

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 9: “Gross margin improved to 55.9%”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 10: “Gross margin came in at 62.9% and comparable operating margin at 35.6%.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 11: “International sales grew 34.6% and now make up 46% of the total, up from 45% in Q1.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 12: “Coca-Cola... has served as its global distribution arm since a $2.15 billion investment in 2015.”

VERIFIED

Web search results confirm that Coca-Cola acquired a stake in Monster for $2.15 billion in 2015. While the 'global distribution arm' phrasing is a common business description of this partnership, the financial transaction is explicitly verified.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Coca-Cola HBC AG, formerly known as Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company or just Coca-Cola Hellenic, is the world's third-largest Coca-Cola anchor bottler in terms of volume with sales of more than 2 b…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-Cola_HBC

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational corporation founded in January 1892, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It manufactures, sells and markets soft drinks including Coca-Cola, other non…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Coca-Cola_Company

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 13: “The energy drink company completed a 2-for-1 split on Aug. 11 with a $900 million buyback program still authorized.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 14: “Q2 net sales rose 20.2% to $2.54 billion”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 15: “Latin America grew 56.1%, with Brazil up 82% and Mexico up 29.5%.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 16: “Diluted EPS was $0.59, up 19%.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

check_circle

Claim 17: “Monster just completed a 2-for-1 split”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web sources (The Motley Fool, MarketScreener) confirm that Monster Beverage approved and implemented a 2-for-1 stock split.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Monster Beverage Corporation is an American beverage company that manufactures energy drinks including Monster Energy, Relentless, Reign and Burn. The company was originally founded as Hansen's in 193…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_Beverage

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Monster Energy is a brand of energy drinks that was created by Hansen Natural Company (now Monster Beverage Corporation) in April 2002 and released to the public with its original flavor on April 18, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_Energy

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Reign Total Body Fuel is an American energy drink that was introduced in 2019 by the Monster Beverage Corporation. It is available in 16 flavors. Its markets are North America, South America and Europ…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reign_(drink)

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 18: “As of Aug 17, there are 216 names on The Best Stocks in the Market list.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The search results provided are about stock market apps and general investment videos; none mention a specific 'Best Stocks in the Market' list containing 216 names as of August 17.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Explore the Best Stock Market Apps for Your iPhone and iPad.
https://www.thebalancemoney.com/investing-4072978

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — In this video, I break down extensively the Top 3 Stocks to buy now for the next few days in this month of August 2020. PSYCHOLOGY and ANALYSIS is also included (as always).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkqZ3gaMneQ

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — SPO Calendar Economic Dividends Stock Splits. Nasdaq Global Indexes As Index Provider for Today's Economy, Nasdaq is dedicated to designing powerful, relevant index and benchmark families that are in …
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks

schedule

Claim 19: “Coca-Cola's 19.5% Monster stake is worth roughly $18 billion against a market cap in the $370 billion range”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 20: “Coca-Cola... posted its strongest Trademark Coke volume growth in 17 years.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence for this claim consists of generic Bing search results and general Wikipedia entries about Coca-Cola, with no mention of volume growth statistics over 17 years.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a cola soft drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company. In 2013, Coke products were sold in over 200 countries and territories worldwide, with consumers drinking more than 1.8 …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-Cola

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Diet Coke, also branded as Coca-Cola Light or Diet Coca-Cola, is a sugar-free and low-calorie diet soda produced and distributed by the Coca-Cola Company. It is a cola drink containing artificial swee…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diet_Coke

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — New Coke was the informal name given to a reformulated version of the soft drink Coca-Cola, introduced by the Coca-Cola Company in the United States in April 1985. It was renamed Coke II in 1990 and w…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Coke

+ 3 more evidence sources

help

Claim 21: “Since inception, it's up more than 230,000%.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found after searching for the specific percentage increase since inception.

info

Claim 22: “Over the last 25 years, Monster Beverage is the single best-performing stock in the S & P 500”

SINGLE SOURCE

The evidence provided for this claim is completely irrelevant, discussing 'Tarot Scented Jar Candles' instead of stock market performance.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Beautifully crafted tarot scented jar candles in a variety of styles and scents. The Tarot Candle unites three essentials of an illuminating tarot experience: a unique tarot illustration by Sophy Holl…
https://www.candlestock.com/products/tarot-scented-candles

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Tarot candles are a unique tool that blends the mystique of tarot reading with the enchanting qualities of candle magic. This guide will delve into what tarot candles are, how to use them effectively,…
https://top5best.com/tarot-candles

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Our tarot-inspired scented candles are made 100% with a natural soy wax blend and cotton wick. They are perfect for your "me time," altar rituals, and manifestation spells.
https://apollotarot.com/collections/aromatherapy-scented-rit…

verified

Claim 23: “Monster's extraordinary international growth, 56% in Latin America, 35% in Asia Pacific, 62% in China last quarter”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence mentions general growth for Monster Beverage in 2026, but does not provide the specific percentage growth figures for Latin America (56%), Asia Pacific (35%), or China (62%).

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — AdeS is a brand of two different beverage products owned and produced by The Coca-Cola Company. In Indonesia, it is a bottled water while in Latin America, it is a soy-based beverage. In Japan, the bo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ades_(brand)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Aquarius (アクエリアス) is an American-owned Japanese brand of sports drink manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company. It was developed in 1978, and was first marketed in 1983 in Japan as a grapefruit-flavored …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquarius_(drink)

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+ 3 more evidence sources

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.