constellation brands inc stz posted betterthanexpected fiscal firstquarter earnings on friday boosted by strength in its beer business where sales rose 11 the company had net income of 1359 million or 74 cents a share for the quarter to may 31 down from 3895 million or 209 a share in the yearearlier period adjusted pershare earnings came to 291 ahead of the 283 factset consensus sales rose 7 to 2525 billion from 2343 billion a year ago also ahead of the 2474 billion factset consensus beer sales rose 11 driven by a 75 increase in shipments due to strong growth for modelo especial which recently replaced bud light as the bestselling beer in the us the company is now expecting fiscal 2024 eps of 935 to 965 or 1170 to 1200 excluding its investment in canadian cannabis company canopy growth corp cgc weed  which is suffering a liquidity crisis and recently added “going concern” language to a regulatory filing the factset consensus is for eps of 1166 the stock has gained 65 in the year to date while the sp 500 spx has gained 145