Toast, Inc. (TOST) Price Target Cut at DA Davidson as Growth Expected to Normalize

Company Overview - Toast, Inc. is a Boston-based cloud software provider focused on the restaurant industry, offering an integrated point-of-sale and management platform built on Android. The company has positioned itself as a technology partner rather than just a payments provider, with an expanding suite of software, payments, and AI tools supporting long-term growth narratives [4]. Financial Performance - In the third quarter of 2025, Toast surpassed $2 billion in annual recurring revenue (ARR) for the first time, effectively doubling ARR in just two years, highlighting the scalability and resilience of its platform [3]. - DA Davidson analyst Peter Heckmann lowered the price target on Toast to $36 from $42 while maintaining a Neutral rating, expecting the company to modestly exceed its own forecasts and broader consensus, although growth and margin expansion are anticipated to be more measured than in the past four to six quarters [1]. Product Development - The rollout of AI-driven products such as Toast IQ and Toast Advertising has seen strong early adoption, with over 25,000 restaurants using Toast IQ more than 235,000 times since early October, reinforcing engagement across its customer base [3]. Market Position - Despite the normalization of near-term expectations, Toast's recurring Gross Payment Volume remains a key area of strength that could provide incremental upside [1].