Why SodaStream's Looking Fizzier This Year

As we approach the halfway point for 2012, now's a good time to look back at what's happening with the stocks that interest you. By making sure you know the important things that a company accomplished -- as well as the setbacks it experienced -- you can make a better decision about whether it's a smart investment for your portfolio.

Today, let's take a look at SodaStream (NAS: SODA) . The company behind home water carbonators has seen some amazing growth in recent years, but the pressure is on for the company to demonstrate that it has a lasting competitive advantage and won't merely be a passing fad. Let's take a quick look at how the stock is doing so far this year.

Stats on SodaStream

Source: S&P Capital IQ, company reports.

Why's SodaStream bubblier in 2012?
Last year, SodaStream's stock got way ahead of itself, more than doubling between the end of 2010 and last summer before giving back all those gains on concerns about a slowing pace of growth. Yet the company has been making moves to boost sales, with retail partnerships with Staples (NAS: SPLS) and Target ramping up this year, and a brand-new arrangement with Wal-Mart (NYS: WMT) is already bearing fruit after just a few weeks.

Investors had lumped SodaStream in with coffee-machine maker Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (NAS: GMCR) , which plunged last year due to increased competition and a slowdown in growth. But even though there are some similarities between the two companies -- both make machines that require ongoing purchases of products to run them -- the soda-maker has finally managed to step out of Green Mountain's shadow and stand on its own.

Recently, SodaStream has returned to its winning ways. In its most recent quarter, the company saw a big sales surge, including a near-doubling of revenue from North and South America. A big rise in sales of consumables like carbonator refills and soda flavoring points to greater use among owners.

Now, big drink companies are taking notice. Coca-Cola (NYS: KO) recently sent a cease-and-desist letter to SodaStream over the use of empty Coke bottles in promotional exhibits demonstrating the amount of waste a SodaStream machine can prevent. SodaStream is defying the request, having brought an exhibit to Atlanta, where Coke is headquartered.

SodaStream has plenty of potential, but it's definitely not a sure thing. If you'd prefer some other stock ideas with longer track records of success, let me invite you to learn about three smart long-term stock plays in the Fool's latest special report. It's yours for the taking and is absolutely free, but don't miss out -- click here and read it today.

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The article Why SodaStream's Looking Fizzier This Year originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger doesn't own shares of the companies mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Staples, SodaStream, and Coca-Cola. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Coca-Cola, Staples, and SodaStream, as well as creating a lurking gator position in Green Mountain and a diagonal call position in Wal-Mart. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Fool has a disclosure policy.

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