National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ) Stock Price & How to Invest
Short answer
You can invest in National Beverage Corp (FIZZ) by buying shares or fractional shares at any major broker, through a small-cap or consumer-staples ETF that holds it, or as one holding in a thematic basket. National Beverage is the Florida-based maker of LaCroix sparkling water plus legacy soda brands (Shasta, Faygo) and the Rip It energy drink, and it runs an unusually profitable, debt-free, family-controlled operation known for large special dividends. The investment picture rests on LaCroix's premium sparkling-water franchise and high margins, offset by slipping case volumes, tough competition from much larger beverage giants, and very tight founder control that limits outside shareholder influence.
FIZZ stock price
As of 2026-07-08, National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ) last closed at $32.59, down 27.4% over the past year. Over the past 52 weeks it has traded between $31.00 and $47.69.
Prices are daily closing prices from Yahoo Finance and may be delayed. For the live quote, check your broker or National Beverage Corp.'s investor relations page. Walnut is informational, not investment advice.
What does National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ) do?
National Beverage Corp develops, produces, markets, and distributes non-alcoholic beverages in the United States. Its flagship brand is LaCroix, a pioneer of the calorie-free premium sparkling-water category, alongside legacy soda names Shasta and Faygo, the Rip It value energy drink (popular with military and budget-conscious buyers), and Everfresh juices. The company was founded by Nick Caporella, who has run it as chairman and CEO since 1985, and it is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. National Beverage is known for operating without debt, carrying a large cash balance, and prizing high profit margins over aggressive volume growth.
The investment picture is that of a niche, highly profitable beverage maker rather than a fast grower. In fiscal 2026 (year ended around May 2026) net sales dipped to about $1.18 billion as case volume fell roughly 6.7 percent, even though average selling price per case rose about 5.2 percent, and net income was about $183.6 million for diluted EPS near $1.96. The company holds around $350 million of cash and no meaningful debt, and it periodically pays large special dividends rather than a steady quarterly payout (a $3.25 per share special dividend was declared in July 2026). Nick Caporella and affiliated entities control roughly three-quarters of the shares, so the public float is thin and outside investors have limited voting sway.
What's driving National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ)?
1. LaCroix and the premium sparkling-water franchise.
LaCroix remains the core of the business, a calorie-free, sodium-free sparkling water that helped define the premium category. Management continues to emphasize innovation and new flavors to defend shelf space. The brand's strength lets National Beverage command premium pricing, which is why average selling price per case has been rising even as unit volumes soften.
2. Pricing and margin discipline over volume.
In fiscal 2026 the company offset a case-volume decline of roughly 6.7 percent with a price increase of about 5.2 percent per case, holding net sales close to $1.18 billion. Management has pointed to favorable commodity cost trends (aluminum, freight, resin) as a tailwind for margins. This preference for margin and profitability over chasing volume is a long-standing hallmark of how the company is run.
3. Debt-free balance sheet and special dividends.
National Beverage carries no meaningful debt and built cash to about $350 million, up roughly $156 million year over year. Rather than a regular dividend, it periodically returns cash through large one-time special dividends, such as the $3.25 per share declared in July 2026. That flexibility rewards shareholders in strong years but makes income from the stock lumpy and unpredictable.
4. Product breadth beyond sparkling water.
Beyond LaCroix, the portfolio spans Shasta and Faygo sodas, the Rip It energy drink, Everfresh juices, and Clear Fruit. Rip It gives the company a low-cost entry into the large energy-drink category, while the legacy soda brands have been nudged toward flavored sparkling waters and cleaner ingredients. This spread offers some diversification, though LaCroix still drives the overall growth and brand story.
What are the risks to National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ)?
Case volumes have been declining, so the company is leaning on price increases to hold revenue, a lever that can only stretch so far before consumers push back. Competition is intense and comes from far larger rivals: PepsiCo (Bubly), Coca-Cola (Topo Chico, AHA), Keurig Dr Pepper, plus independents like Spindrift and Waterloo in sparkling water and Monster, Red Bull, and Celsius in energy drinks, all with bigger marketing and distribution budgets. Founder Nick Caporella and affiliates control roughly three-quarters of the shares, which concentrates decision-making, leaves outside holders with little voting power, and creates key-person and succession risk given his long tenure. Input costs (aluminum, freight, sweeteners) and shifting consumer tastes can pressure margins, and the thin public float can make the stock volatile.
How is National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ) valued? (approximate, JULY 2026)
A simple financial snapshot. These are approximations and refresh quarterly; for current figures see National Beverage Corp.'s investor relations page or your broker.
- Revenue (FY2026): ~$1.18 billion
- Net income (FY2026): ~$183.6 million
- Diluted EPS (FY2026): ~$1.96
- P/E (trailing): ~17x
- Market cap: ~$2.9 billion
- Cash / debt: ~$350M cash, no meaningful debt
- Special dividend (July 2026): ~$3.25 per share
As of July 2026 the shares traded around $31, near a 52-week low, for a trailing P/E in the high-teens. Fiscal 2026 net sales slipped modestly as a case-volume decline outweighed higher per-case pricing, and net income eased slightly year over year. The debt-free balance sheet and roughly $350 million cash pile support the periodic large special dividends but do not translate into steady quarterly income.
Who competes with National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ)?
Sparkling water
LaCroix competes with PepsiCo's Bubly, Coca-Cola's Topo Chico and AHA, Nestle/Blue Triton (Poland Spring), and independents like Spindrift and Waterloo, all fighting for shelf space in a crowded premium sparkling-water category.
Energy drinks
The Rip It brand plays in the value tier of an energy-drink market dominated by Monster Beverage, Red Bull, and fast-growing Celsius, all of which carry far larger marketing and distribution reach.
Carbonated soft drinks and juices
Legacy brands Shasta and Faygo, plus Everfresh juices, compete against beverage giants Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr Pepper, as well as private-label store brands, in mature soda and juice categories.
How to invest in National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ)
There are three common ways to get FIZZ exposure. Buy shares (or fractional shares) directly at any major broker. Hold an ETF that includes it, which spreads the position across many companies. Or build it into a focused thematic basket, so FIZZ sits alongside other stocks that express the same thesis.
Walnut takes the basket route. Describe a thesis where FIZZ fits (for example “AI infrastructure” or “dividend-growth large-caps”) and the AI proposes 5 to 6 constituents with target weights. You review the plan and fund it through your own broker when you're ready.
The bottom line on National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ)
National Beverage is a small-cap, debt-free consumer-staples maker whose fortunes ride on the LaCroix sparkling-water brand, with fat margins and periodic large special dividends balanced against declining volumes and concentrated founder control.
More on National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ)
Whether FIZZ is worth buying today depends more on your time horizon and what you already hold than on any single call. We walk through valuation, what would have to go right, and the risks in is FIZZ a buy?, and where the stock could go from here in the FIZZ stock forecast.
For income investors, whether FIZZ pays a dividend and how the payout looks is covered in does FIZZ pay a dividend?
Build a basket around FIZZ with Walnut
Use National Beverage Corp. as one constituent in a thematic basket Walnut's AI helps you assemble. Describe a thesis you believe in, the AI proposes the holdings and weights, and you approve before any broker order.
FAQ
What does National Beverage Corp do?
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National Beverage develops, produces, and distributes non-alcoholic drinks in the United States. Its brands include LaCroix sparkling water, Shasta and Faygo sodas, the Rip It energy drink, and Everfresh juices, with LaCroix as the flagship growth driver.
Is FIZZ the same as LaCroix?
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FIZZ is the stock ticker for National Beverage Corp, the parent company that owns LaCroix. LaCroix is its best-known brand and biggest sales driver, but National Beverage also sells sodas, energy drinks, and juices under other names.
How do I buy National Beverage (FIZZ) stock?
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FIZZ trades on the Nasdaq, so you can buy shares or fractional shares through any major US broker. It may also appear inside small-cap or consumer-staples ETFs, or you can hold it as one position in a thematic basket. Walnut is not an investment adviser.
Does FIZZ pay a dividend?
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National Beverage does not pay a regular quarterly dividend. Instead it periodically declares large one-time special dividends, such as the $3.25 per share declared in July 2026, so income from the stock is lumpy and unpredictable rather than steady.
How did National Beverage perform in fiscal 2026?
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In fiscal 2026 (year ended around May 2026) net sales were about $1.18 billion, down slightly from the prior year as case volume fell roughly 6.7 percent while price per case rose about 5.2 percent. Net income was about $183.6 million, or roughly $1.96 diluted EPS.
Who controls National Beverage Corp?
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Founder Nick Caporella, who has been chairman and CEO since 1985, and affiliated entities control roughly three-quarters of the shares. That concentrated ownership means the public float is thin and outside shareholders have limited voting influence.
Who are National Beverage's main competitors?
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In sparkling water LaCroix competes with PepsiCo's Bubly, Coca-Cola's Topo Chico and AHA, Spindrift, and Waterloo. Rip It competes with Monster, Red Bull, and Celsius in energy drinks, while Shasta and Faygo face Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr Pepper in sodas.
What are the main risks with FIZZ stock?
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Key risks include declining case volumes, heavy competition from much larger beverage companies, concentrated founder control that limits outside shareholders, key-person and succession risk, input-cost swings, and a thin public float that can make the stock volatile.
Walnut is informational, not investment advice. Financial figures on this page are approximations; always verify current numbers with National Beverage Corp.'s investor relations page or your broker before making investment decisions.