Coca-Cola to Acquire 17% Stake in Monster Beverage

Coca-Cola Co., the world’s largest beverage company, agreed to swap some brands and buy a 17 percent stake in Monster Beverage Corp. for about $2.15 billion, increasing its bet on the burgeoning energy-drink market.

The move is part of a deal that will include the transfer of Coca-Cola’s energy drinks NOS, Full Throttle, Burn, Mother and Play to Monster, according to a statement yesterday. Monster, meanwhile, will shift Hansen’s natural sodas and juices, Peace tea and Hubert’s lemonade to Atlanta-based Coca-Cola.