Image source: Author. What happened Shares of Monster Beverage (NASDAQ: MNST) gained 12% in June of 2018, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The surge rested on an impressive presentation at the energy-drink veteran's annual shareholder meeting. So what At the meeting, Monster CEO Rodney Sacks said that the company's sales growth should float above the 10% mark throughout 2018. In addition, Monster is ready to fight rising ingredient costs by passing the expenses on to consumers in the form of higher prices per can of taurine-infused beverages. Analysts followed up on these information nuggets with two distinct rounds of bullish research notes, driving share prices more than 5% higher on two consecutive days in early June. Now what The stock now is trading some 23% above the 52-week lows that were set in May, based on an uninspiring earnings performance. Analysts and investors have forgiven Monster for these stumbles and are looking forward to a healthier bottom line as those promised price increases come around in the second half of 2018. There's not much to complain about in this company's long-term growth trends. MNST Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts. 10 stocks we like even better than Monster BeverageWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has quadrupled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Monster Beverage wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of June 4, 2018Anders Bylund has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Monster Beverage. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.