"We do not think Beam Global will remain independent in the medium term," said Bernstein Research's Trevor Stirling in a note to clients, "and we believe the recent decision to break up the business at Fortune Brands has attracted interest from major liquor houses." Of course he's referring to Fortune's announcement last week that it will remain an independent spirits company and spin off its other business units (home and golf). He views Diageo and Bacardi as front-runners "either independently or combined."