Let the good times roll at Chipotle (CMG) — the company said it's about to test a happy hour offering. "We're going to give it a shot and see what it looks like for us. We're calling it Happier Hour, so think maybe a couple of tacos and a beverage sometime during the middle daypart ... And we feel like it's a compelling offer, and it creates value for our consumer," Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright told me on Yahoo Finance's Market Domination (video above). "So we have more work to do on exactly what we'l ...

Core Viewpoint - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) has shown a mixed market reaction following its latest earnings report, with management's full-year same-store sales forecast being slightly lower than expected, leading to a decline in after-hours trading. However, there is a belief that the stock is becoming increasingly attractive, especially as the company is actively buying back shares [1]. Group 1 - Chipotle has experienced a stock comeback over the past few months, but the market response to its earnings report was mixed due to a lower-than-expected same-store sales forecast [1]. - The stock is currently trading at 34 times earnings, which is considered a reasonable valuation compared to its historical price-to-earnings multiples, suggesting it may be a good time to invest [3]. - The company is scheduled to release another report on February 3rd, and there is a possibility that the stock could drop to a previous low of $30, indicating a potential buying opportunity [3].

Group 1 - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) is currently viewed as a stock with potential for recovery, despite expectations of a not-so-spectacular quarterly report [1][2] - The stock is trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 34, which is considered low compared to its historical performance, indicating a potential buying opportunity [2] - The upcoming earnings report on February 3rd is anticipated, with a possibility of the stock price declining to a low of $30, suggesting a strategy of incremental buying [2] Group 2 - There is a belief that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and less downside risk compared to Chipotle, indicating a competitive investment landscape [3]

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer was recently asked about. Noting that the stock has been down over the past year, a caller asked if it is a buy, and Cramer replied: You know, a lot of people are warming up to Chipotle down here. It has had such a decline. It only sells for 34 times earnings. I say only because I’ve seen it at a much higher price-to-earnings multiple. I think it’s actually at a decent level to put some stock on. They have a report on Feb 3rd. Remembe ...

Core Viewpoint - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is experiencing a challenging stock performance despite operational consistency and a positive long-term earnings outlook, with a focus on global expansion and new restaurant openings [1][2][3][4][5][6] Financial Performance - The upcoming fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter earnings release is expected to show diluted EPS of $0.24, reflecting a 4% year-over-year decline from $0.25 [2] - Analysts forecast fiscal 2025 diluted EPS to grow to $1.16, indicating a 3.6% annual growth, with further growth projected for fiscal 2026 at $1.22, a 5.2% increase [3] Stock Performance - CMG stock has declined by 30.8% over the past 52 weeks, while it has rebounded 8.4% year-to-date [4] - In comparison, the S&P 500 Index has gained 17.7% over the last 52 weeks and is up 1.8% year-to-date, highlighting Chipotle's relative underperformance [4] Expansion Strategy - Chipotle opened its 4,000th restaurant in Manhattan, Kansas, marking a significant milestone [5] - The company has over 100 locations outside the U.S. and has launched its first non-North America Chipotlane in Kuwait, with plans for expansion into Mexico, South Korea, and Singapore [5] Analyst Ratings - Analysts have assigned CMG stock an overall rating of "Moderate Buy," with 22 out of 35 analysts rating it a "Strong Buy," three recommending "Moderate Buy," and 10 suggesting "Hold" [6]

Core Viewpoint - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) is considered one of the best restaurant stocks to buy currently, despite a cautious outlook on U.S. restaurant traffic and a reduction in price targets by analysts [1][2]. Analyst Ratings - Bernstein has reiterated an "Outperform" rating on Chipotle, lowering its price target from $50 to $40, reflecting a cautious near-term view on consumer demand recovery [2]. - Mizuho raised its price target from $34 to $36 while maintaining a "Neutral" rating, indicating that Chipotle is effectively using pricing and promotions to drive transaction growth, although this may pressure restaurant-level margins [3]. Market Conditions - The firm anticipates a gradual recovery in consumer demand following multiple confidence shocks in 2025, including macroeconomic uncertainties and significant policy changes [2]. - Potential catalysts for growth in spring 2026 include the passage of a new Tax Bill and increased demand due to the upcoming Soccer World Cup in the U.S., which is expected to enhance traffic and sales momentum [2]. Company Overview - Chipotle operates a fast-casual restaurant platform specializing in burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads, indicating a focused menu strategy [4].

Core Insights - Chapter 11 bankruptcy can provide restaurant chains like Red Lobster an opportunity for restructuring and recovery, leveraging brand value to attract investors [1][2] - Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 in 2024 due to financial pressures from rising labor costs, unfavorable leases, and supply chain issues, allowing it to restructure debt and secure financial support for continued operations [3] Company Overview: Red Lobster - Red Lobster's successful Chapter 11 reorganization involved streamlining operations, reducing expenses, and establishing a sustainable financial structure [2] - The brand's value plays a crucial role in attracting investment for recovery efforts [1] Company Overview: Don Pablo's - Don Pablo's was once a leading Mexican restaurant chain in the U.S., with over 100 locations at its peak, competing closely with Chi-Chi's [5][7] - The brand was known for high-quality ingredients in its menu offerings, contrasting with fast-food competitors like Taco Bell [6] - Despite its past success, Don Pablo's has no open locations today, highlighting the challenges of maintaining brand relevance in the restaurant industry [4]

Group 1 - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) is set to release its fiscal Q4 2025 results on February 3, with the stock having declined over 14.5% since the last earnings release [1] - Wall Street analysts maintain a positive outlook on Chipotle, with a 12-month price target indicating a potential upside of more than 31.4% from the current stock level, driven by a favorable outlook for consumer stocks [2] - Bernstein analyst Alexia Howard noted that while consumer stocks have underperformed the broader market, the forward earnings valuation appears attractive, suggesting that investors may seek safety in the Consumer Staples sector amid tech sector volatility [2] Group 2 - Bernstein SocGen Group reiterated a Buy rating on Chipotle with a price target of $40, indicating confidence in the company's store potential despite recent stock performance challenges being deemed cyclical rather than structural [3] - The firm believes that Chipotle has untapped levers that can help grow customer traffic, reinforcing the company's growth potential [3] - Chipotle operates a chain of fast-casual restaurants specializing in customizable Mexican-inspired dishes, which are made with fresh ingredients [4]

Core Viewpoint - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is facing significant challenges due to a decline in sales among customers earning under $100,000, particularly in the 25-34 age group, which represents about 25% of total sales, as they shift towards grocery and home dining [2][3] Group 1: Sales and Demographics - The company has maintained market share within the under-$100,000 demographic, which accounts for approximately 40% of sales, but there is a notable pullback in spending [2][3] - The shift in consumer behavior presents a short-term challenge for the company, with no immediate catalyst identified to drive revenue growth [2] Group 2: Management and Strategy - Management's earnings call raised investor concerns about the company's strategic direction, particularly regarding its pricing strategy, as it does not prioritize value pricing despite customer perceptions of being expensive [3][4] - There is confusion in management's messaging, oscillating between promoting affordable meal options and emphasizing innovation and quality, which complicates the strategic focus [4] Group 3: Financial Performance and Opportunities - Despite increased marketing spending, revenue targets have been missed, indicating a disconnect between initiatives and market performance [4] - The company's low penetration in catering, at 1-2% compared to peers at 5-10%, suggests there are untapped opportunities that have not been addressed [4] Group 4: Investment Outlook - Without a clearly articulated strategy to restore perceived value, there is significant uncertainty for investors, making it challenging to justify investment at current valuations [5] - The stock has depreciated approximately 37.16% since previous bullish coverage, highlighting the need for a credible plan to address pricing and consumer perception challenges [6]

Core Insights - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has significantly underperformed the broader market, with stock prices dropping 47.6% year-to-date and 47.3% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 Index gained 12.3% in 2025 and 11% over the past year [2][4] - The company's Q3 results revealed a 7.5% year-over-year increase in topline revenue to $3 billion, which fell short of market expectations by 48 basis points, and an adjusted EPS of $0.29, which was a slight increase of 2 cents from the previous year [4][5] - Analysts maintain a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" for CMG stock, with a mean price target of $44.39, indicating a 40.3% premium to current price levels, and a street-high target of $70 suggesting a potential upside of 121.3% [6][7] Financial Performance - For the full fiscal year 2025, analysts project an adjusted EPS of $1.16, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 3.6% [5] - The company has a history of earnings surprises, having exceeded bottom-line estimates in each of the past four quarters [5] Analyst Ratings - Among 33 analysts covering CMG, there are 21 "Strong Buys," three "Moderate Buys," eight "Holds," and one "Strong Sell," indicating a slightly less optimistic outlook compared to the previous month [6][7] - JP Morgan analyst John Ivankoe has maintained a "Neutral" rating but lowered the price target from $44 to $40 [7]