Corona, Modelo brewer takes double whammy as Trump tariffs squeeze margins — and ICE crackdown slams sales

The giant brewer of Modelo and Corona said it has suffered a double-whammy from the White House as its margins got squeezed by President Trump’s tariffs — and its sales have been slammed by the immigration crackdown.

Constellation Brands, whose Modelo brand is the top-selling beer in the US, on Tuesday reported adjusted earnings per share of $3.22, below LSEG analysts’ expectations of $3.31, in the first quarter ended May 31.

Trump hiked levies on aluminum to 25% in March and raised them again to 50% in early June, threatening to raise costs for products like beer, soda and energy drinks sold in cans.

Rochester, NY-based Constellation sells only imported Mexican beers like Corona and Pacifico – which also left it heavily exposed to 25% tariffs that Trump imposed on foreign beer imports in April.

While the tariffs hit margins, the company also reported disappointing revenue — just $2.52 billion in the latest quarter, versus Wall Street’s forecast of $2.55 billion.

The beer maker blamed the sales shortfall on weaker demand “largely driven by…non-structural socioeconomic factors,” as well as its divestiture of Svedka voda, according to CEO Bill Newlands. 

In April, Newlands said that Hispanic customers – who make up roughly half of Constellation’s beer sales – had pulled back on buying from the brand amid Trump’s immigration crackdown. 

“The fact is, a lot of consumers in the Hispanic community are concerned right now,” Newlands said during a company conference call.

“Over half are concerned relative to immigration issues and how those impact [them]. A number of them are concerned about job losses in industries that have a high Latino employment base.”

As a result, Hispanic consumers have cut back on discretionary spending, including goods and services like restaurants, clothing, travel – and beer, Newslands said.

Shipment volumes in its beer business dropped 3.3% during the latest quarter on the slump in demand.

Its operating margin fell 150 basis points, or 1.5%, during the same period due, in part, to the aluminum tariffs, the company said.

Shares in Constellation have fallen 25% so far this year. The stock plunged in January after the company reported weak fourth-quarter earnings and revealed a full-year forecast below expectations.

Constellation also sells wine and craft spirits, but its beer business is the real money maker, accounting for roughly 80% of total revenue.

Constellation reported first-quarter net income of $516.1 million, or $2.90 per share, down from $877 million, or $4.78 a share, the year before.

However, Constellation maintained its full-year forecast, including comparable earnings per share of $12.60 to $12.90.

The company also expects organic net sales between a 2% decline to a 1% gain.