Chipotle (CMG) Up 4.6% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?

Core Insights - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Q3 2025 earnings report showed adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 29 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 28 cents, while revenues of $3 billion missed the estimate of $3.02 billion by 0.5% [2][3] Financial Performance - The bottom line increased by 7.4% from 27 cents reported in the year-ago quarter [3] - Quarterly revenues rose 7.5% year-over-year, driven by new restaurant openings and an increase in comparable restaurant sales [3] - Comparable restaurant sales rose 0.3% compared to a 6% growth in the prior-year quarter, aided by a 1.1% increase in average check, offset by a 0.8% decrease in transactions [4] Restaurant Openings - Chipotle opened 84 company-owned restaurants in the third quarter, with 64 featuring a Chipotlane, contributing to the company's performance [5] Cost and Margin Analysis - Food, beverage, and packaging costs as a percentage of revenues were 30%, down from 30.6% in the prior-year quarter, due to menu price increases and cost efficiencies, though partially offset by inflation and tariffs [6] - The restaurant-level operating margin was 24.5%, down from 25.5% in the prior-year period [7] Net Income and Balance Sheet - Adjusted net income for the quarter was $389.9 million, compared to $366.6 million in the prior-year quarter [7] - As of September 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $698.7 million, down from $748.5 million as of December 31, 2024 [8] 2025 Outlook - Management anticipates comparable sales to decline in the low-single digit range, with plans to open between 315 and 345 new company-operated restaurants, over 80% featuring a Chipotlane [10] Estimate Trends - There has been a downward trend in fresh estimates, with the consensus estimate shifting down by 12.44% [11] VGM Scores - Chipotle has a Growth Score of B but lags in Momentum with an F, and a D on the value side, resulting in an aggregate VGM Score of C [12] Overall Outlook - Estimates have been trending downward, leading to a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating expectations of below-average returns in the coming months [13]