6 Beverage Stocks to Quench Your Thirst for Upside

For many folks, a cold beer or a fizzy cola is the definition of a consumer staple. This doesn�t just go for Americans but also for emerging-market consumers who are part of a rising middle class. As folks get a little more cash to spend, soft drinks and alcohol are some of the first things they add to their shopping lists.

I watch more than 5,000 publicly traded companies with my Portfolio Grader tool, ranking companies by a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. And this week, I’ve highlighted six beverage stocks to buy.

Each one of these stocks gets an �A� or �B� according to my research, meaning it is a �strong buy� or �buy.� Here they are:

Anheuser-Busch (NYSE:BUD) is the world-famous brewing company that has more than 200 beer brands. BUD stock has posted a gain of 26% in the last year, compared to a 10% gain for the Dow Jones. BUD stock gets a �B� grade for operating margin growth, an �A� grade for earnings growth, a �B� grade for earnings momentum, an �A� grade for its ability to exceed the consensus earnings estimates on Wall Street, a �B� grade for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past months, a �B� grade for cash flow and a �B� grade for return on equity. For more information, view my complete analysis of BUD stock.

Diageo (NYSE:DEO) is the producer of Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Baileys Original Irish Cream, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness. In the past year, DEO has posted a gain of 27%. Diageo stock gets a �B� grade for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past months, a �B� grade for cash flow, and an �A� grade for return on equity. For more information, view my complete analysis of DEO stock.

Companhia de Bebidas das Americas (NYSE: ABV) is a Brazilian beverage company that has posted a gain of 48% since last March. ABV stock gets a �B� grade for operating margin growth, a �B� grade for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past months and an �A� grade for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of ABV stock.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) is perhaps the most famous international beverage company, and it licenses more than 500 nonalcoholic beverage brands. In the past year, Coca-Cola stock has climbed 10%. KO gets an �A� grade for return on equity. For more information, view my complete analysis of KO stock.

Fomento Economico (NYSE:FMX) is a Mexican holding company that is integrated by a Coca-Cola bottler, OXXO convenience stores and its investments in Heineken. FMX stock has outpaced the broader market with a gain of 33% in the last 12 months. FMX stock gets a �B� grade for operating margin growth, a �B� grade for the magnitude with which earnings projections have increased over the past month and a �B� grade for cash flow. For more information, view my complete analysis of FMX stock.

Brown-Forman (NYSE:BF.B) is best known for its brands Jack Daniels, Finlandia and Southern Comfort, among others. Brown-Forman rounds out the list with a 19% gain in the last year. BF stock gets a �B� grade for operating margin growth and an �A� grade for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of BF.B stock.

Get more analysis of these picks and other publicly-traded stocks with Louis Navellier�s Portfolio Grader tool, a 100% free stock-rating tool that measures both quantitative buying pressure and eight fundamental factors.