Alright folks, we're turning our eyes to the skies with the latest "Global Weather Tracker" dispatch from Jefferies.
Yes, we're essentially playing weatherman now, and it's not looking good for your barbecue plans.
Let's break it down.
April 2023 was a bit of a washout across Europe - think "a tad chilly", "more clouds than a tech company's server room", and "rainfall that might have made Noah a bit nervous".
Meanwhile, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) were like a broken record, repeating the same tunes from last year.
The Americas, on the other hand, must have done something right to Mother Nature, as they basked in the glow of warmer temperatures.
Now, here's where things get interesting: as we dive headfirst into the second and third quarters of the year, the weather in the Northern Hemisphere becomes the star of the show.
Think of it like a summer blockbuster movie. Europe, in particular, is coming off a stellar summer season last year - and it's set for a sequel.
So, why are we bothering with all this meteorological mumbo jumbo? Well, according to our number crunching, a smashing (or sodden) summer can cause a 5% swing in the profits of beer and soft drink companies.
Now, isn't that interesting?
The weather, especially as we venture into the aforementioned quarters in the Northern Hemisphere, becomes a key player in the beverage industry - and not just because it's the perfect excuse for a cold one!
So, how do you navigate this treasure trove of climatic information?
Jefferies has you covered with its Global Weather Trend Index, giving you a real-time snapshot of the weather across a whopping 56 markets.
They even have a Weather Score Index to determine each company's exposure to the weather's mood swings.
The good, the bad, and the rainy for April? Spain, Colombia, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam won the weather lottery (let's call it a 100).
The wet blanket award goes to many Western European countries, including the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Greece, and Belgium (a solid zero).
By region, it was sunshine and roses in South America, Africa, and APAC, while Western and Eastern Europe were left out in the cold, quite literally.
Now, what does all this mean for our favourite libations?
Beer and soft drinks in Europe are gearing up for a showdown with last year's fantastic summer.
Spirits are less impacted, but Campari is keeping a close eye on the skies due to its exposure to Europe and on-trade.
Finally, who's facing the music in May, June, and July?
Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Africa are set for a tough May, but conditions might ease up for North America and South America in June.
As for July, well, we'll just have to wait and see.
Stay tuned for the next weather (and beverage) update from Jefferies.