Shareholders' return could still be decent in FY27E- 28E, under CMBI est.. In terms of shareholders' return, which is one of the investors' key focuses, it will still be rather healthy. The Company will continue to fulfill its commitment (deduced from the US$ 4.5bn for FY24-26E) of delivering not less than US$ 1.5bn cash return (a combination of dividend, share buybacks etc.) in FY26E. And for FY27E and beyond, the Company will increase the dividend per share over time (CMBI est. about US$ 322mn in FY25E), ...

Core Viewpoint - Chipotle Mexican Grill is experiencing a decline in customer traffic and comparable-store sales, raising questions about whether this dip presents a buying opportunity or signals deeper issues for investors [1][2][10]. Sales Performance - The company reported a 0.4% decline in comparable-restaurant sales in Q1, followed by a 4% decline in Q2, with transactions down 4.9% despite a 0.9% increase in average check size [3][5]. - Chipotle's revenue grew by 3% to $3.06 billion in the quarter, while adjusted earnings per share (EPS) fell by 3% to $0.33, missing analyst expectations [6]. Operational Challenges - Restaurant-level operating margins decreased by 150 basis points to 27.4%, attributed to higher wage costs and sales deleveraging, with about 30% of restaurants needing retraining on portion sizes [7][8]. - The company has acknowledged a particularly weak performance in May but noted a rebound in June due to new product offerings and promotional programs [4][5]. Future Outlook - Chipotle has lowered its full-year same-store sales outlook to flat, down from previous expectations of low single-digit growth, but maintains a long-term goal of mid-single-digit growth [5]. - The company aims to return restaurant-level margins to the 29% to 30% range and drive average unit volumes above $4 million [8]. Growth Potential - Chipotle is still in the early stages of international expansion and believes it can increase U.S. locations at an annual rate of 8% to 10% [12]. - Despite current challenges, the long-term growth story remains intact, with continued consumer interest in its core menu and limited-time offerings [14]. Valuation - The stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of approximately 38 based on 2025 estimates and 32 based on 2026 estimates, indicating it is relatively cheaper than in previous years [13].