Monster Beverage (MNST -5.2%) saw beverage sales rise 17.8% in September, about 110 bps over the...

Monster Beverage (MNST -5.2%) saw beverage sales rise 17.8% in September, about 110 bps over the pace set by the energy drink category, according to Nielsen data nailed down by ST Robinson Humphrey. During the same period, Red Bull sales ran 20.8% higher. Though a host of big names such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Starbucks, and Jamba continue to try to lure away high-octane drink consumers away to new alternatives, the core 18-30 age demographic is helping keep the category energized.