SCHEDULE 13G/A: AllianceBernstein Discloses 7.7% Passive Stake in Celsius Holdings Inc.

AllianceBernstein L.P. has filed an amended Schedule 13G, revealing a 7.7% beneficial ownership stake in Celsius Holdings Inc., held for passive investment purposes.

Summary

• AllianceBernstein L.P. reported beneficial ownership of 18,045,178 shares of Celsius Holdings Inc. common stock.
• This ownership represents 7.7% of Celsius Holdings Inc.'s outstanding common stock.
• The shares are held solely for investment purposes on behalf of client discretionary investment advisory accounts.
• AllianceBernstein L.P. maintains sole voting power over 17,045,245 shares and sole dispositive power over 17,889,038 shares.
• Shared voting power is 0 shares, and shared dispositive power is 156,140 shares.
• The filing certifies that the securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of changing or influencing control of the issuer.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The disclosure of a significant passive stake by a reputable institutional investor like AllianceBernstein L.P. is generally viewed positively, indicating institutional confidence in the company's value and prospects, even if it's a routine regulatory filing.

Positives

• Increased institutional ownership by a major investment adviser like AllianceBernstein L.P. can signal confidence in Celsius Holdings Inc.'s long-term prospects.
• The passive nature of the investment (not seeking control) suggests a belief in the current management and strategic direction.

Risks

• The filing itself does not detail specific risks related to Celsius Holdings Inc.'s operations or financial health, as it is an ownership disclosure.

Future Outlook

This document does not provide forward-looking statements or guidance from Celsius Holdings Inc. or AllianceBernstein L.P. regarding the issuer's future performance.

Management Comments

• "By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under §§ 240.14a-11." Melissa Guerra, VP/Director of Compliance, AllianceBernstein L.P.

Industry Context

The disclosure of a significant passive stake by a major institutional investor like AllianceBernstein L.P. in Celsius Holdings Inc. highlights continued institutional interest in the rapidly growing functional beverage market, particularly in companies demonstrating strong growth trajectories.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The disclosure of a significant institutional stake may instill greater confidence among existing and potential shareholders, potentially leading to increased demand for the stock.
• Management: The passive nature of the investment suggests that AllianceBernstein L.P. is not seeking to influence or change the control of Celsius Holdings Inc., which can provide stability for current management.

Next Steps

• AllianceBernstein L.P. will continue to monitor its investment in Celsius Holdings Inc. and file further amendments to Schedule 13G as required by SEC regulations if its beneficial ownership percentage changes significantly.

Key Dates

Keywords

Celsius Holdings Inc., AllianceBernstein L.P., Schedule 13G, SEC filing, institutional ownership, common stock, investment adviser, beneficial ownership, passive investment