Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) has enjoyed a stellar run higher in 2009, with the shares up 105% year-to-date.

Today, the company announced that its board has approved a three-for-two stock split in the form of a stock dividend. All shareholders of record as of May 29 will receive one additional share of GMCR common stock for every two shares currently held, with distribution scheduled for June 8.

"This stock dividend allows us to share our success with our loyal stockholders to the extent of our authorized stock and underscores our confidence in the strength of our Company and its prospects for the future," said President and CEO Larry Blanford in a statement.

Is it realistic to expect Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) to deliver double-digit earnings growth in this environment?

Seriously, can retail customers afford premium coffee when budgets are severely strained and debts are high?

No way. Premium coffee is a luxury item, and though many are addicted to java, cutting back is relatively easy to do. In that dynamic, sales are likely to slow.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (NASDAQ: GMCR) provides specialty coffee products to more than 7,000 wholesale customers, under the brand names Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Newman's Own Organics and Keurig. The customer list includes supermarkets, resorts, office delivery services and convenience stores. The firm also conducts direct mail and e-commerce operations. Green Mountain has been ranked first on the Business Ethics list of "100 Best Corporate Citizens," for the past two years. Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) are competitors.

The firm surprised investors late last month, when it announced fiscal Q1 EPS of 12 cents and revenues of $126.4 million. Analysts had been expecting 11 cents and $118 million. The CEO attributed success to the robust growth rate of Keurig brewer sales. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 19-23 cents (20 cent consensus), FY08 EPS to 72-77 cents (73 cent consensus) and FY08 revenues to about $478.4-$495.5 million ($455 million consensus).

When your coffee needs develop beyond the "cup o' joe" stage, there's an outfit in Waterbury, Vermont that's prepared to satisfy your refined tastes.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (NASDAQ:GMCR) provides specialty coffee products to more than 7,000 wholesale customers, under the brand names Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Newman's Own Organics and Keurig. The customer list includes supermarkets, resorts, office delivery services and convenience stores. The firm also conducts direct mail and e-commerce operations. Green Mountain was recently ranked first on the Business Ethics list of "100 Best Corporate Citizens."

The firm surprised investors earlier in the month, when it announced fiscal Q1 EPS of 40 cents and revenues of $83.3 million. Analysts had been expecting 24 cents and $78.9 million. Management also guided Q2 revenues to $75-$79 million ($73.51M consensus). The share price popped on the news and then began formation of a bullish "flag" consolidation pattern. Stocks frequently exit a flag with a move in the same direction they were traveling when they entered it. In this case, that would be to the upside.

Brokers recommend GMCR with one "strong buy", one "buy" and one "hold". Analysts see a 35 percent growth rate, through the next year. The stock's Price to Sales ratio (1.95) and Sales Growth rate (30.44%) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages. Institutional investors hold about 53 percent of the outstanding shares. Over the past 52 weeks, GMCR has traded between $35.00 and $65.60. A stop-loss of $52.90 looks good here if one were to buy the stock.

Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com.