Monster Beverage, a California-based marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages, has posted 30.3% rise in its net income to $109.8m for the second quarter (Q2) ended 30 June 2012, against $84.2m in the same quarter last year.

Net income per diluted share increased by 31% to $0.59, from $0.45 per diluted share in the 2011 comparable quarter.

Gross sales for the 2012 second quarter were up by 28.7% to $678.9m, against $527.5m in the same period last year.

Net sales for the three-months ended 30 June 2012 rose by 28.2% to $592.6m from $462.1m in the same quarter a year ago.

Reported gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, for the 2012 second quarter was 51.8%, compared to 52.8% for the comparable 2011 second quarter.

Operating income was increased from $132.5m in the 2011 second quarter to $169.8m, up by 28.1% in Q2 2012.

Monster Beverage chairman and CEO Rodney Sacks said both the energy drink category in the US and Europe and the Monster Energy brand, continue to experience positive growth, with the Monster Energy brand surpassing the category growth in both the US and Europe.

"We are continuing to expand into new international markets with retail sales of Monster Energy(R) commencing in Ecuador, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau and Slovenia in the second quarter," Sacks added.

"We are planning launches in additional international markets later this year and in 2013."