But what we do know is obviously we've seen the trends, we are seeing the higher sell rates for the category, we are seeing our numbers through Nielsen and obviously our own numbers internally in the company continuing to strengthen. Before we begin, I would like to remind listeners that certain statements made during this call may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended and are based on currently available information regarding the expectations of management with respect to revenues, profitability, future business, future events, financial performance and trends as well as the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company's business and operations. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our net and gross sales for the 2020 first quarter was not material. Hey, guys. Returns as of 02/14/2021. Just anything you're hearing on the ground as states start to reopen more? The Nielsen statistics for Mexico cover single months, which is a short period that may often be materially influenced positively and/or negatively by sales in the OXXO convenience chain, which dominates the market. So even though people or at home in greater quantities than they've been before, they're drinking more energy drinks and they could very much as well drink coffee, which they're doing, which is obviously the cup is cheaper than an energy drink. Sales of the company's energy brands, including Reign, were down 0.2% in the 13 week period. In the first quarter of 2020, net sales were $1.06 billion, up 12.3% from $946 million in the first quarter of 2019. Juice Monster Pacific Punch was launched in Norway and Poland in September 2020 and is now available in 12 markets across EMEA. Two, currently, the company's flavor manufacturing facilities it's co-packers, warehouses and shipment facilities and bottlers and distributors are all operating. We again point out that certain market statistics that cover single months or four week periods may often be materially influenced positively and/or negatively by promotions and/or other trading factors during those periods. But if you look at the Nielsen for all measured channels, that showed a decline of 10.2%. I would just like to add that a lot of these things are not new. Peter Galbo -- Bank of America -- Analyst. According to Nielsen, in all measured channels in Canada, for the 12 weeks ended October 3, 2020, the energy drink category increased 15.9% in dollars. A motion for summary judgment has been filed by Monster in this proceeding against all of VPX's claims in this suit with a hearing on that motion set for later in May this year. NOS was down 16.2% and Full Throttle was down 15.9%. We launched Burn Gold Spark in Turkey in August 2020 and we launched Burn Peach Zero in Hungary and Ukraine in August 2020. We believe that we are well positioned in the energy drink category and continue to be optimistic about our total portfolio of energy drink brands. I think we've probably been underperforming and we've had not enough attention in the independents, where you get trial and variation and particularly trial for your innovation. In mid-March, I began to experience flu-like symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19 and thankfully made a good recovery. Shao Ping Guan, head of the China Equity team and lead portfolio manager of Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s China Equity strategies, shared his thoughts on the country’s recovery and the resilience of its equity markets. VPX Bang sales increased 101.8% and its share declined 1.2 share points to 4.3%. But honestly, Bill, we shouldn't conjecture on what they may or may not do. I guess just with the introduction of Watermelon, A, has that shipped at this point and maybe just talk to us a little bit about what you've observed with the seasonality with that product and help us understand, I guess in your own internal planning, how you're thinking about how big that line could be relative to say in Ultra Paradise or a Fiesta or a Rosa. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is unable to estimate, in which future periods if any, such deferred sponsorship and endorsement costs will be recognized. And I think it will be inappropriate for us to disclose what those plans are. Foreign currency exchange rates had the effect of decreasing net sales in US dollars by approximately $12.5 million in the 2020 third quarter, included in reported geographic sales are ourselves to the company's military customers, which are delivered in the US and transshipped to the military and their customers overseas. Red Bull sales decreased 19% and its market share decreased by 1.2 point to 6.6%. We are working closely with our China team to follow the rules implemented by local authorities, and we have reopened our office in China. Additionally, we are planning to launch Reign into a further six markets in 2020. In the battle over whether social-distancing rules should be enforced at houses of worship, pastors have been charged and lawsuits filed. The genome consists of a single strand of positive-sense RNA (ribonucleic acid). And in Chile from 38% to 45.6%. So that's the issue from the U.S. and from EMEA, and I hope that answered your question. According to Nielsen, in the 13-week period ended March 29, 2020, Monster's retail market share in value as compared to the same period the previous year grew from 18% to 20% in Italy. So how much has traditional channels and convenience and gas impacted the 20.8% effect neutral decline globally in April? Please go ahead. In January 2020, Monster Energy was launched by the Coca-Cola bottler in Israel. So as we look at the, particularly with sponsorships and endorsement, yes, NASCAR has fallen away. As this litigation and other pending proceedings with VPX are sub judice, we will not be answering any questions on this matter on today's call. And then, your second question was about EMEA, and I would refer you to what happened in the first and second quarters in EMEA. I think Red Bull probably going to start having a tougher time on comparisons, but I think what they've -- what you can see is they've got a lot impetus in the 12-ounce. Please go ahead. Yeah. While our e-commerce, club store, mass merchandiser and grocery and related business remain stable. Monster Mule was launched in Poland in July 2020 and in Germany, Sweden, and South Africa in September 2020. The company assumes no obligations to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Over the last several seasons, you can make a case that Hudson has been the league’s best center. Can you help us with this sales clearance in the quarter, was there any reason like retailers rebuilding inventory ahead of any potential pricing to explain this lumpiness in a certain amount of region [Phonetic] from I guess from the strong July that included in the last call implied the deceleration in August and September to high-single digit, but then sharply reaccelerated now in October. We don't disclose those numbers, but that market is becoming a very big market for us. We have verified with Nielsen that the data for Mexico for the month of March 2020 did not fully capture all of Monster's sales. I would like to turn the conference over to Mr. Rodney Sacks, Chairman and CEO. And then as we get it going, we are going to be expand it. And so it's really difficult to say. For this, I'm very grateful. Press Releases. According to Nielsen, in the 13-week period ended March 31, 2020, Monster's retail market share in value as compared to the same period the previous year, grew from 12% to 12.6% in the Czech Republic, from 12.3% to 15.2% in Poland, from 19.4% and 23.8% in the Republic of Ireland, and from 16.3% to 17.7% in South Africa. Gross profit percentage for the region was impacted by foreign exchange rates, would be slightly higher at 40.1% in local currencies. [Operator Instructions]. Yeah, I think Andrea was talking about Red Bull, is that correct? Thank you. Reign's share was 4.6% and Rockstar's share was 3.5%. Rodney Sacks. I think that the short-term will be disruptive, and we've got plans both for the short-term and for the long term. Monster Hydro Sport was launched in Norway and Sweden in February 2020, and we are planning to launch Monster Hydro Sport in Spain late in the second quarter. Additional information regarding attending the annual meeting, voting your shares and submitting questions can be found in the company's proxy statement. Most cats infected with a FCoV eliminate virus following infection, but some cats may develop a To everyone at Monster, my sincere thanks and appreciation for all your efforts. We estimate April 2020 gross sales to be approximately 22.2% lower than in April 2019. VPX Bang sales decreased 2%. Gross profit percentage for the region was impacted by country and product mix. And so my color is and I don't give guidance, we never give guidance, but if I think about the category and the category growth that has been sustained in this time of COVID, you can enjoy your own conclusions, but that's the kind of color that I've been thinking off. Operating expenses for the 2020 third quarter were $277.9 million compared to $277.6 million in the 2019 third quarter. In Japan, in the third quarter of 2020, we launched Ultra Paradise in approximately 90% of the country. Menu. It generally causes asymptomatic infection, but can cause mild diarrhea. We think that will address a lot of the independent channel, where we think that we perhaps have fallen a little behind. And I think that's a very positive factor as well. I would like to point out that the Nielsen numbers in EMEA should only be used as a guide, because the channels read by Nielsen in EMEA vary from country-to-country and are reported on varying dates within the month referred to from country-to-country. Please refer to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2020 and our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on August 6, 2020, including the sections contained therein entitled Risk Factors and Forward-Looking Statements for a discussion on specific risks and uncertainties that may affect our performance. Burn Dark Energy, our new citrus Burn variant, was launched in Russia in March 2020. two SKUs of the new Nalu Energy Tea line, green tea and ginger and black tea and passion fruit were launched in Belgium in April 2020. Thank you and good afternoon everybody. According to INTAGE in Japan, Monster's market share in value in the convenience store channel for the third quarter of 2020 increased from 51.2% to 55% as compared to the same period in the previous year. I would like to open the floor to questions about the quarter. Thank you. While society watches athletes and artists on a screen during the COVID-19 pandemic, some proponents tout ‘normalcy’ as the moment live in-action play resumes again. We continue to believe in the company and our growth strategy and remain committed to continuing to innovate, develop, and differentiate our Brands and to expand the company both at home and abroad. We launched some products just before COVID hit some products during COVID hit, some products we've tried to get out late in summer and I think a lot of those things are still disrupting ourselves but -- and we obviously feel that as we go forward, I think things will settle down more. Expresso Monster mocha and vanilla variants are now available in 20 markets in EMEA. Monster share decreased 0.5 a share point to 31.4%, Reign's increased 0.1 of a share point to 2.8%, NOS share decreased 0.3 points to 3.2%, and Full Throttle share remained at 0.8 of a percent. Red Bull sales increased 22.6% and its market share increased 2.1 points to 38.8%. The next question will come from Laurent Grandet with Guggenheim. In Brazil, net sales in the quarter increased by 38.5% in dollars and 90.3% in local currency. Kiss: Zombies #5 - Kindle edition by Sacks, Ethan, Buchemi, Rodney. Our only update since our last earnings call is in relation to the lawsuit against VPX, over its intention to launch its own line of Reign branded energy drinks in 16-ounce cans to be sold in convenience stores. Rodney C. Sacks -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 5-Hour sales increased 34.1%, and its share decreased 2.4 points to 6.9%. COVID-19 has affected the health of so many individuals around the globe, including some of our team members. And in particular, expand distribution of our products through the Coca-Cola bottling system internationally. With our direct business, we have some direct business to clubs, e-commerce, etc, that business was largely intact. But if you look at the rest of the category, we are doing well. And we are fortunate that everyone at our company who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 is doing well and has been making good progress. This was due to timing of shipments and our retail market share and depletions remain strong. Since mid-March 2020, we have seen a shift in consumer channel preferences and package configurations, including an increase in at-home consumption and a decrease in Foodservice on Premise consumption. The increase in net income was 6.6%. Tom Kelly will now read the cautionary announcement. According to IRI in Australia, Monster's market share in value for the four weeks ending October 11, 2020 increased from 9.8% to 12.7% as compared to the same period the previous year. We are in the throes of it right now, and it will be -- start being fully operational in the next month or two. This concludes our question-and-answer session. We're also pleased that in the first quarter, Monster gained market share in the Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Italy, Norway, Poland, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, Spain and Sweden. Get Monster Beverage Corp (MNST:NASDAQ) real-time stock quotes, news, price and financial information from CNBC. As a percentage of net sales for the quarter was 39.5% compared to 39.3% in the same quarter in 2019. Peter Galbo -- Bank of America -- Analyst. According to Pro Football Focus, Hudson has allowed just two sacks over the past four seasons, finishing with a pass blocking grade of 90.8. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. A coronavirus is a common virus that causes an infection in your nose, sinuses, or upper throat. The cost for certain postponed or rescheduled events have been or may be deferred to future periods. The only thing I would add is that, the Energy Drink category is not as seasonal as for example, sodas and other soft drinks and beer and it is zero-calorie, it's on trend, we're seeing higher rates of sales in some of our major retailers.