Jul. 10--MONSTER ENERGY DRINK STOCK PLUMMETS: Hansen Natural Corp.'s shares were down sharply Wednesday after company officials told analysts sales of its popular Monster energy drinks were lagging at convenience stores.

Hansen closed at $24.56, down $4.39 or more than 15.1 percent, in trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The Corona-based company traded at $44 a share as recently as March.

About 70 percent of sales of energy drinks are at convenience stores, and that is the sales venue most vulnerable to a weakening economy. Also, locations that also sell gasoline are finding shoppers have emptied their wallets at the pump and are passing on the beverage counters.

Two analysts said they are keeping a "buy" recommendation on the stock while admitting the company may not match its quarterly earnings estimates.

--Jack Katzanek

INLAND FIRM TACKLES EAST COAST PROJECTS: Basin Water Inc. is installing three systems to remove small amounts of uranium from groundwater wells in New Hampshire, representing the Rancho Cucamonga-based company's first contracts on the East Coast.

Basin Water is working on treatment systems for three condominium developments. The first is already in operation, and startups for the other two are expected later this summer. The small-scale systems are being built at a company plant in Memphis, Tenn.

Michael Stark, president and chief executive officer, said the New Hampshire contracts are part of a geographic expansion the company launched in 2007.

--Jack Katzanek

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