Upgrades - Morgan Stanley upgraded Rollins (ROL) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $72, up from $58, citing the company as a "best-in-class" operator with durable demand drivers and structural tailwinds [2] - DA Davidson upgraded Guidewire (GWRE) to Buy from Neutral with an unchanged price target of $246, viewing the recent 20% pullback as an opportunity for investors seeking high-quality application software leaders [3] - Jefferies upgraded Procter & Gamble (PG) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $179, up from $156, noting a stabilizing consumer backdrop and easier comparisons entering 2026 [4] - Wells Fargo upgraded Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $195, up from $170, believing in the sustainability of comparable sales momentum [5] - RBC Capital upgraded Airbnb (ABNB) to Outperform from Sector Perform with a price target of $170, up from $145, highlighting an attractive brand monetization story in the evolving consumer AI landscape [6] Downgrades - Jefferies downgraded Constellation Brands (STZ) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $154, down from $170, due to prolonged fears among Hispanic consumers affecting top-line results [7] - JPMorgan downgraded CyberArk (CYBR) to Neutral from Overweight with a price target of $474, up from $443, following the announcement of its takeover by Palo Alto Networks expected to close in the first half of 2026 [7] - JPMorgan downgraded Fortinet (FTNT) to Underweight from Neutral with a price target of $75, down from $85, as the company faces headwinds from ongoing platform consolidation trends [7] - Jefferies downgraded Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $32, citing heavy debt, coffee price volatility, and a new financing structure [7] - Barclays downgraded MGM Resorts (MGM) to Equal Weight from Overweight with a price target of $38, down from $42, expressing mixed views on various gaming sectors and a negative outlook on Las Vegas [7]

Core Viewpoint - Domino's Pizza has shown strong performance in 2025, with shares increasing 9.3% from November lows, currently trading near $434, and analysts are optimistic about reaching $550 per share by 2026 [2][6]. Financial Performance - The consensus 12-month price target for Domino's is $496.65, indicating a potential upside of 14.5% from current levels, with 20 out of 34 analysts rating it a buy or strong buy [3]. - Quarterly earnings growth is projected at 30.1% year over year, with Domino's beating Q3 2025 estimates with an EPS of $4.08 compared to the $3.95 consensus [4][8]. Strategic Initiatives - CEO Russell Weiner has highlighted the "Hungry for MORE" strategy, focusing on market share and operational excellence, supported by over 21,700 stores in 90+ markets, primarily operating under a capital-light franchise model [5]. - The company's emphasis on digital ordering and delivery aligns with consumer trends towards personalization and convenience [5]. Valuation Insights - Currently trading at approximately 25x trailing earnings and 22x forward earnings, reaching $550 would imply a valuation of about 32x forward earnings, which is a premium but justifiable given the 30% annual earnings growth [6][7]. Growth Drivers - Continued earnings beats are expected, with Domino's having beaten estimates by 3.3% in Q3 2025, and prediction markets showing 100% confidence in this performance [8]. - U.S. same-store sales grew by 5.2% in Q3, with international sales up 1.7%, indicating strong sales momentum [8]. - The company added 214 net new stores in Q3, with significant room for international expansion as it has only penetrated 90 markets globally [8]. Market Positioning - The restaurant sector underperformed in 2024, but renewed investor interest has been noted in late 2025, positioning Domino's as a quality leader in the market [9]. - Institutional ownership stands at 92.4%, with significant stakes from Berkshire Hathaway and Frontier Capital, indicating strong backing from institutional investors [9].

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) will release earnings results for its second quarter before the opening bell on Thursday, Dec. 18.Analysts expect the Orlando, Florida-based company to report quarterly earnings at $2.1 per share, up from $2.03 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for Darden's quarterly revenue is $3.07 billion, compared to $2.89 billion a year earlier, according to data from Benzinga Pro.On Sept. 18, Darden Restaurants reported worse-than-expected first-quarter financ ...

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) will release earnings results for its second quarter before the opening bell on Thursday, Dec. 18.Analysts expect the Orlando, Florida-based company to report quarterly earnings at $2.1 per share, up from $2.03 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for Darden's quarterly revenue is $3.07 billion, compared to $2.89 billion a year earlier, according to data from Benzinga Pro.On Sept. 18, Darden Restaurants reported worse-than-expected first-quarter financ ...

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (“Kura Sushi” or the “Company”), (NASDAQ: KRUS), a technology-enabled Japanese restaurant concept, today announced that it will host a conference call to discuss fiscal first quarter 2026 financial results on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. A press release with fiscal first quarter 2026 financial results will be issued that same day after the market closes. Hosting the conference call and webcast will be Hajime “Jimmy” Uba, ...

After two pieces in the second half of the year, it's fair to say the ' Pizookie Dip ' didn't take long to show its face.I’m an equity analyst and founder of Goulart’s Restaurant Stocks, a research firm focused on the U.S. restaurant industry — from quick-service and fast casual to fine dining and niche concepts. I lead all thematic research and valuation efforts, applying advanced financial modeling, sector-specific KPIs, and strategic insights to uncover hidden value across public equities. In addition to ...

With a market cap of $21.6 billion, Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) is a leading full-service restaurant company that owns and operates a diverse portfolio of well-known dining brands across the United States and Canada. The company includes popular concepts such as Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The Orlando, Florida-based company is expected to announce its fiscal Q2 2026 results before the market opens on Thursday, Dec. 18. Ahead of this event, analysts predict Darden R ...

Domino's Pizza (NYSE: DPZ) has had a solid 2025, with shares up 9.3% from November lows and trading near $434 as of mid-December. ...

Core Insights - Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR) is highlighted as a strong investment opportunity, with a significant position in Seth Klarman's portfolio valued at $529.3 million, indicating confidence in the stock's potential [1] - Analysts project an average price target suggesting a 10% upside, with the highest target indicating a potential upside of 36% [1][3] - RBC Capital maintains an Outperform rating with a revised price target of $82, citing improving momentum at Burger King US and strategic growth investments as key factors [2] Financial Performance and Analyst Ratings - Argus Research upgraded Restaurant Brands to Buy from Hold with a price target of $85, emphasizing the company's strong brand portfolio and competitive pricing strategies in an inflationary environment [3] - RBC Capital's analyst views Restaurant Brands as a top idea among international fast food franchises, highlighting its growth-focused investments and lower leverage as supportive of stock momentum [2] Strategic Initiatives - The company has entered a joint venture with CPE, a Chinese asset manager, to enhance Burger King's growth in China, aiming to expand its presence to over 4,000 outlets by 2035 from approximately 1,250 [4] - This strategic move is part of a broader effort to capitalize on market opportunities and strengthen the brand's footprint in international markets [4] Company Overview - Restaurant Brands International Inc. operates several well-known food and coffee chains, including Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs, positioning itself as a significant player in the global fast food industry [5]

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) is a prominent player in the restaurant industry, known for its popular brands like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. The company is set to release its quarterly earnings on December 18, 2025. Analysts expect earnings per share (EPS) of $2.10 and revenue of approximately $3.07 billion.Darden's performance is anticipated to be driven by strong revenue growth from its Olive Garden and LongHorn brands. Despite facing cost pressures from increased beef and labor expenses ...