Goldman (GS) Views Sequential Growth In Beverages (GS, WMT, HANS, PEP, CCE)

Preferring the non-Alcoholic beverage firms, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. GS, views potential for upward revision in 2Q10 in earnings, with emerging markets showing solid growth, low expectations and modest top line investments driving share prices. Aggressive promotional activity saw a shift of soft-drinks to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. WMT from AC Nielsen grocery. An analysis of the firm showed moderate improvement in total channel sales volume from the previous quarter. With a forecast of 11% sales and 13% EPS growth, the firm gave a Buy rating to Hansen Natural corp. HANS. They gave Buy ratings for PepsiCo, Inc. PEP, but they didn’t rate Coca-Cola Enterprises CCE.