CMG

Wall Street analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) will report quarterly earnings of $0.29 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to no change from the year-ago quarter. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $3.29 billion, exhibiting an increase of 9.5% compared to the year-ago quarter. Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted downward by 0.7% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period. Prior to a company's earnings release, it is of utmost importance to factor in any revisions made to the earnings projections. These revisions serve as a critical gauge for predicting potential investor behaviors with respect to the stock. Empirical studies consistently reveal a strong link between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock. While it's common for investors to rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates for assessing how the business may have performed during the quarter, exploring analysts' forecasts for key metrics can yield valuable insights. Given this perspective, it's time to examine the average forecasts of specific Chipotle metrics that are routinely monitored and predicted by Wall Street analysts. The consensus among analysts is that 'Revenue- Food and beverage' will reach $3.27 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +9.3%. Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenue- Delivery service' reaching $15.41 million. The estimate points to a change of +8.6% from the year-ago quarter. Analysts expect 'Company-operated restaurants at end of period' to come in at 4,270 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 3,916 . Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Company-operated restaurants opened' should arrive at 89 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 84 in the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that the 'Average restaurant sales - TTM' will reach $3.09 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $3.13 million in the same quarter last year. The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Company-operated restaurants at beginning of period' will likely reach 4,186 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 3,839 . View all Key Company Metrics for Chipotle here>>> Shares of Chipotle have experienced a change of -12.1% in the past month compared to the -1.2% move of the Zacks S&P 500 composite. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), CMG is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> . Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. CMG is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28. CMG's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing three out of four quarters and reported in line once, the average surprise being 2.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter earnings per share (EPS) is pegged at 29 cents, flat year over year. For revenues, the consensus mark is pegged at $3.29 billion. The metric suggests a rise of 9.5% from the year-ago quarter's figure. Let us take a look at how things might have shaped up in the quarter to be reported. Chipotle's third-quarter 2026 revenues are likely to have benefited from continued menu innovation, improved restaurant execution and efforts to strengthen customer engagement. The company's Recipe for Growth strategy focuses on driving transaction growth through better food quality, generous portions, faster service and enhanced hospitality. The return of popular limited-time offerings and investments in high-efficiency kitchen equipment are expected to have supported customer traffic and repeat visits. However, softer restaurant industry trends and cautious consumer spending might have limited the extent of sales growth. Menu innovation is likely to have remained an important revenue driver for Chipotle in the third quarter. The successful return of Chipotle Honey Chicken, along with sustained demand for Cilantro Lime Sauce, has helped attract new customers and encouraged existing guests to visit more frequently. The company has also been emphasizing high-protein offerings to capitalize on consumer interest in protein-rich meals. Chipotle's refreshed marketing strategy, including culturally relevant promotions and the Matchday BOGO campaign, has helped strengthen brand engagement. Further, the company's focus on communicating the quality of its ingredients and the value of the offerings might have supported customer acquisition and spending. Chipotle's digital initiatives and restaurant expansion are also likely to have contributed to third-quarter sales. The revamped Rewards program, personalized offers and Summer of Extras campaign are expected to have encouraged repeat purchases and improved customer frequency. Efforts to simplify loyalty enrollment and enhance digital ordering might have further strengthened engagement. Meanwhile, the rollout of its high-efficiency equipment package ("HEEP") has been improving kitchen productivity, order fulfillment and service speed, potentially allowing restaurants to serve more customers during peak periods. New restaurant openings, including locations equipped with Chipotlanes, are likely to have supported overall revenue growth. In addition, gradual menu price increases are expected to have provided a further lift to sales. Our model predicts Food and Beverage as well as Delivery Service revenues to increase 8.5% and 10.5% year over year. Chipotle's third-quarter 2026 bottom line is likely to have received support from higher menu prices, improved restaurant throughput and operating efficiencies associated with HEEP. Management expects pricing to contribute in the mid-2% range during the quarter, helping offset some inflationary pressure. However, elevated beef, freight and other ingredient costs, along with wage inflation, might have weighed on restaurant-level margins. Higher marketing investments, insurance, maintenance and utility expenses are also likely to have pressured profitability. Management anticipated restaurant-level operating costs to remain elevated, with other operating costs expected in the mid-15% range. Additionally, tougher year-over-year comparisons, consumer caution and the potential sales impact of the cyclospora-related industry concerns might have constrained operating leverage. Thus, although pricing and operational improvements might have provided some relief, persistent cost pressures are likely to have remained a challenge for margins. Our model predicts third-quarter restaurant-level margins to decline 80 basis points year over year to 25%. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Quote Our proven model does not predict an earnings beat for Chipotle this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here. Earnings ESP for CMG: Chipotle has an Earnings ESP of -0.39%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Chipotle's Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. Here are some stocks from the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector, which, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle. Starbucks Corporation SBUX currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.24% and a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. In the to-be-reported quarter, SBUX's earnings are expected to increase 40.4% year over year. SBUX's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missed twice, with the average surprise being 8.4%. Sweetgreen, Inc. SG has an Earnings ESP of +4.26% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. In the to-be-reported quarter, Sweetgreen's earnings are expected to register a 3.7% year-over-year decline. SG's earnings lagged estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average miss being 43%. Brinker International, Inc. EAT currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.59% and a Zacks Rank of 3. In the to-be-reported quarter, Brinker earnings are expected to register a 29% year-over-year increase. EAT's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 6.2%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

The market expects Restaurant Brands (QSR) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates. The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise. This operator of Burger King and Tim Hortons restaurant chains is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.18 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +14.6%. Revenues are expected to be $2.53 billion, up 3.4% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 9.43% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction). The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only. A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP. Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell). For Restaurant Brands, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +8.88%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3. So, this combination indicates that Restaurant Brands will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number. For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Restaurant Brands would post earnings of $1.03 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.07, delivering a surprise of +3.88%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times. An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss. That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Restaurant Brands appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release. Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), another stock in the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.29 for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate points to no change from the year-ago quarter. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $3.29 billion, up 9.5% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for Chipotle has been revised 0.7% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.39%. When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Chipotle will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Restaurant Brands International Inc. (QSR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

- According to TheFly, TD Cowen lowered its price target to $32 from $44 and downgraded CMG to 'Hold' rating from 'Buy'. - Deutsche Bank maintained its 'Buy' rating but cut its price target to $45 from $51, citing store-level checks that showed price increases at about 20% of locations. - Chipotle is set to report Q3 2026 results on October 28 after the market closes, with analysts expecting revenue of $3.28 billion and earnings of $0.29 per share. Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) shares drew investor attention on Wednesday after a downgrade from TD Cowen and a price target cut from Deutsche Bank, adding to Wall Street's bearish temperament ahead of the company's third quarter earnings next week. According to TheFly, TD Cowen downgraded Chipotle to 'Hold' from 'Buy' and cut its price target to $32 from $44, while Deutsche Bank lowered its price target to $45 from $51 but maintained a 'Buy' rating. See what 10M+ investors are talking about. Get the Stocktwits Daily Rip for what retail is watching right now, free to your inbox CMG shares traded 5% lower at the time of writing. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around Chipotle shifted to 'neutral' from 'bearish' territory over the past day. TD Cowen said it was concerned that Chipotle's October sales are shaping up to miss the fourth-quarter (Q4) inflection point it had previously expected, despite an easier year-over-year comparison. The firm now models below-consensus same-store sales for both Q4 and fiscal 2027. TD Cowen said delivering the consensus estimate of 3% same-store sales growth in 2027 "requires less proven sales drivers." The firm described 2027 as a challenging year for Chipotle. According to a report published by Investing.com,TD Cowen expects Chipotle's third-quarter results to come in slightly above consensus. The firm forecasts same-store sales growth of 2.5% in 2028, compared with the consensus estimate of 3.4%. For Q4, the analyst also cited menu innovation, new marketing campaigns and value offers through Chipotle Rewards among the company's sales initiatives, the report added. Separately, Deutsche Bank analyst Lauren Silberman lowered the firm's price target on Chipotle to $45 from $51 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating as part of a third quarter (Q3) earnings preview reshuffle. Deutsche Bank's latest checks suggest Chipotle has introduced price increases at about 20% of its stores over the past nine weeks. The firm estimates the increases average around 3% and continues to expect price increases in the 2.5%-3% range for the third quarter. Chipotle is scheduled to report its Q3 2026 results next Wednesday, after the market closes. Analysts expect revenue of $3.28 billion and earnings of $0.29 per share, according to estimates compiled by Fiscal A.I. According to Koyfin data, 23 of the 35 analysts covering CMG rate the stock 'Buy' or 'Strong Buy', while the remaining 12 rate it 'Hold'. Earlier this week, Citi lowered its price target on Chipotle to $43 from $45, while maintaining a 'Buy' rating. The firm expects a "noisy" earnings report due to Salmonella and Cyclospora concerns and said a recovery in customer traffic is "difficult to read." Gordon Haskett also lowered its price target on Chipotle, to $36 from $42, while maintaining a 'Hold' rating. Last week, Raymond James lowered its price target to $37 from $42.50 while maintaining an 'Outperform' rating. The firm expects third-quarter revenue to rise 9.7% year over year, reflecting 78 net new restaurant openings and same-store sales growth of 2%. CMG shares have dropped over 24% year-to-date. Also read: Rocket Lab Sets Another Spacecraft Milestone As Viasat Advances $81M NASA Program For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com. Heera Hari has no position in any of the stocks mentioned in this article. StockTwits' news team content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. For more, see our editorial policy. This article was originally published on StockTwits. Related: - FUN Stock Heads For 4th Week Of Loss: Analyst Sees 29% Downside Ahead Of Earnings As Mounting Debt, Weak Sales Loom - Nuclear Energy Analyst Roundup: Wall Street Weighs In On OKLO, SMR, CEG, VST, LEU Stocks - TSLA, SPCX Slip Overnight: Musk Reportedly Pushes Merger Before Trump's Exit — ARK Sees Tesla Holders '5x Better Off' By 2036

- Starbucks recently increased its quarterly cash dividend to $0.63 per share and is preparing to report fiscal fourth-quarter results under its Back to Starbucks plan, while market reports suggest it has explored a potential takeover of Chipotle in recent months. - The combination of a long-running dividend program, a $2 billion cost-savings agenda and reported interest in Chipotle highlights how Starbucks is balancing cash returns to investors with operational restructuring and possible large scale expansion moves. - This article examines how Starbucks' investment narrative is shaped by its Back to Starbucks turnaround progress and reported Chipotle interest. Scan how Starbucks compares with other consumer brands balancing dividends, restructuring and expansion by checking our hand picked list of 21 high quality undiscovered gems. To own Starbucks, you need to believe the Back to Starbucks plan can lift store traffic, stabilize global margins and keep its premium P/E multiple defensible. The near term swing factor is whether upcoming results and FY27 guidance back up that margin story. The Chipotle takeover talk may not materially change that core thesis right now. The biggest operational risk is margin pressure from labor, legal and unionisation issues, along with the reality that net profit margins are below last year and global margins remain shy of levels reported two years ago. Any large deal, such as a Chipotle bid, could add execution and balance sheet strain on top of that. The most relevant announcement alongside the Chipotle reports is Starbucks' small quarterly dividend increase to US$0.63 per share, taking the annual rate to US$2.52. Management also highlighted confidence in long term growth and pointed investors to the upcoming fiscal fourth quarter print and FY27 outlook under Back to Starbucks. For you, that combination ties the story back to execution. The dividend track record and new payout signal an ongoing commitment to returning cash, while the key catalyst still sits in cost savings, store remodels and Rewards monetisation actually flowing through to earnings. Any large acquisition would be judged against those same operational priorities and existing risks. Analysts frame Starbucks' next few years around a relatively modest revenue growth rate alongside a heavier lift in profitability. Consensus assumptions point to revenue expanding by 3.7% each year over the next three years, while profit margins are projected to move from 5.2% today to 11.0% by around 2029. Earnings today are estimated at US$2.0b, with Wall Street forecasts clustered around US$4.7b of net income and revenues of US$42.8b in 2029. That step up in profitability would require roughly a 2.4x increase in earnings from current levels. The spread between the most bullish and most cautious profit forecasts, from US$6.3b down to US$4.2b, underlines how much of the Back to Starbucks margin story investors still need to underwrite on their own assumptions. On these projections, the implied valuation math also shifts. Starbucks is currently described as trading on a P/E of 55.1x earnings. The consensus 2029 scenario uses a forward multiple of 35.2x on those US$4.7b of forecast earnings and applies a discount rate of about 8.8% to translate that into a present value. That future P/E sits well above the 20.3x quoted for the wider US hospitality peer group, which leaves a valuation gap that investors need to decide is either justified by the Back to Starbucks margin and cash flow targets or too rich for the operational risks in play. Starbucks' narrative projects revenues of US$42.8b and earnings of US$4.7b by 2029. This aligns with analysts using a 3.7% yearly revenue growth rate and implies roughly a 2.4x earnings increase from the current US$2.0b base. Discover how Starbucks' fair value indicates a 13% potential upside to its current price that may not last much longer. One alternate view puts Starbucks' capital spending front and center. Bearish analysts worry that remodels, restructuring and potential deals like Chipotle could keep store profitability tight. Before this news, the lowest forecasts still had revenue around US$42.5b and earnings near US$4.9b by 2029, yet on a much more cautious multiple. It is worth exploring how those opinions might shift once the takeover rumors and dividend move are fully reflected. Explore 3 other Starbucks fair value estimates, including one that suggests it could be worth just $99.66. Disagree with existing narratives? Extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd. Consider conducting your own research and forming your own view. - A great starting point for your Starbucks research is our analysis highlighting 2 key rewards and 3 important warning signs that could impact your investment decision. - See our latest analysis for Starbucks. The report includes a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual, the Snowflake, making it easy to evaluate Starbucks' overall financial health at a glance. If you like the way Starbucks blends income, restructuring and long term growth targets, it can help to compare it with other listed businesses pursuing different angles on quality, value and resilience. - For investors who want high quality businesses at prices that may leave some margin for error, start with a curated set of 34 high quality undervalued stocks that combine solid fundamentals with discounted valuations. - If balance sheet strength is a priority and you prefer companies with room to absorb shocks, broaden your research using a list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (25 results) that can handle tougher conditions. - For those who care most about stability and regular cash returns, scan a focused group of 8 dividend fortresses that pair higher yields with durable payout profiles. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include SBUX. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]

U.S. equity markets have recorded solid gains so far in 2026, demonstrating resilience despite elevated Treasury yields, volatile oil prices, persistent inflation, tariff-related uncertainties and stretched technology stock valuations. The Federal Reserve's interest rate hike and the possibility of further monetary tightening have raised concerns about tighter financial conditions. Against this backdrop, as third-quarter earnings start, investors are likely to shift their attention toward corporate earnings performance, guidance and management commentary on strategies to navigate the evolving macroeconomic and policy environment. Therefore, the traditional approach to stock selection remains a good idea. Sales growth offers a more reliable basis for evaluating stocks than earnings-focused metrics. In this regard, stocks like Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. CMG, BP p.l.c. BP and Intuitive Surgical Inc. ISRG are worth betting on. Sales growth is a key indicator of a company's business performance, reflecting customer demand and its ability to market products or services effectively. Consistent sales growth may signal favorable industry trends, expanding market share, strong pricing power, successful product launches or penetration into new markets and customer segments. Higher revenues can also improve operating efficiency by spreading fixed costs over a larger sales base, thereby supporting margin expansion and profitability. However, sales growth needs to be assessed in the context of industry trends, competitive positioning, pricing dynamics, customer composition and overall economic conditions. The sustainability of growth is equally important, as recurring revenues, repeat business, volume-driven expansion and steady demand generally provide a stronger foundation than short-term gains. Companies delivering consistent and sustainable revenue growth are typically better equipped to maintain healthy cash flows, fund future investments, strengthen their competitive positions and generate long-term shareholder value. To shortlist stocks with impressive sales growth and a high cash balance, we have selected 5-Year Historical Sales Growth (%) greater than X-Industry and Cash Flow of more than $500 million as our main screening parameters. But sales growth and cash strength are not the absolute criteria for selecting stocks. Hence, we have added other factors to arrive at a winning strategy. P/S Ratio less than X-Industry: This metric determines the value placed on each dollar of a company's revenue. The lower the ratio, the better it is for picking a stock since the investor is paying less for each unit of sales. % Change F1 Sales Estimate Revisions (four weeks) greater than X-Industry: Estimate revisions, better than the industry, are often seen to trigger an increase in stock price. Operating Margin (average last five years) greater than 5%: The operating margin measures how much every dollar of a company's sales translates into profits. A high ratio indicates that the company has good cost control and sales are increasing faster than costs — an optimal situation. Return on Equity (ROE) greater than 5%: This metric will ensure that sales growth is translated into profits and the company is not hoarding cash. A high ROE means that the company is spending wisely and is, in all likelihood, profitable. Zacks Rank less than or equal to 2: Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) stocks are known to outperform, irrespective of the market environment. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Based in Newport Beach, CA, Chipotle operates quick-casual Mexican restaurants. As of June 30, 2026, CMG had more than 4,200 restaurants across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Middle East. CMG expected sales growth rate for 2026 is 9%. Chipotle carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present.  Based in London, BP operates globally in the oil and gas business. The company's reportable segments are Oil Production & Operations, Gas & Low Carbon Energy and Customers & Products.  Its expected sales growth rate for 2026 is 28.9%. BP currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, Intuitive Surgical designs, manufactures and markets the da Vinci surgical system, Ion endoluminal system and related instruments and accessories. ISRG operates through three segments: Instruments and Accessories, Systems and Services. ISRG's sales are expected to rise 16.7% in 2026. Intuitive Surgical carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BP p.l.c. (BP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG), with a market capitalization of approximately $38.9 billion, is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in customizable Mexican-inspired food, including burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads. Based in Newport Beach, California, the company operates company-owned restaurants, emphasizes fresh ingredients and responsibly sourced food, and continues to expand its restaurant network across North America. CMG is set to report its Q3 earnings on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after the market closes. Ahead of the release, analysts expect the company to report diluted EPS of 29 cents, unchanged from the year-ago quarter. Moreover, CMG has met or exceeded Wall Street's EPS estimates in each of the past four quarters, highlighting its consistent earnings performance. - Novo Nordisk's CEO Was Asked Why His Stock Keeps Falling on Good News: 'The Stock Market Is Always Right, but With a Bit of a Time Difference' - Dear UnitedHealth Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for October 13 - 'She's Broke Now. She Just Doesn't Know It': Grant Cardone Says a SpaceX Employee Who Just Became a Millionaire and Sold Stock Is Making a Mistake - Tired of missing midday reversals? The FREE Barchart Brief newsletter keeps you in the know. Sign up now! For fiscal 2026, analysts expect CMG to report EPS of $1.14, down 2.6% from $1.17 in fiscal 2025. However, EPS is projected to grow 19.3% year over year to $1.36 in fiscal 2027. CMG stock has declined 20.3% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming both the S&P 500 Index ($SPX), which gained 15%, and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY), which fell 5.5% over the same period. Chipotle Mexican Grill's stock has lagged the broader market over the past year amid margin pressures and growing concerns about consumer spending. However, shares of Chipotle surged 6% on Oct. 8, after the Financial Times reported that Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) had explored a potential takeover of the burrito chain, working with advisers on a proposal in recent months. The deal would reunite Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol with Chipotle, which he led for six years before departing in August 2024. However, the transaction remains uncertain given the complexity of combining two major restaurant brands. If completed, the nearly $39 billion deal would become the largest restaurant acquisition on record, surpassing Burger King's $11.4 billion purchase of Tim Hortons in 2014. Analysts remain somewhat bullish on CMG, with the stock carrying a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating. Of the 35 analysts covering the stock, 22 recommend a "Strong Buy," two rate it a "Moderate Buy," and 11 recommend a "Hold." Meanwhile, the average price target of $43.86 implies potential upside of 34.2% from the current share price. On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Brinker International (EAT). Shares have lost about 10% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Brinker International due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent drivers for Brinker International, Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late. Brinker reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with earnings in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate while revenues surpassed the same. Both the top and bottom lines increased on a year-over-year basis.In the quarter under review, Brinker reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.07, up 23.3% year over year and in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Total revenues rose 5.1% year over year to $1.54 billion and beat the consensus mark by 0.4%.The quarter benefited from sustained momentum at Chili’s, supported by positive traffic, menu pricing, strong everyday value, the Big Crispy launch and continued operational improvements. However, results were partly pressured by weaker traffic and restaurant closures at Maggiano’s, along with higher commodity, advertising and insurance costs. Chili’s total revenues increased 6.2% year over year to $1.423 billion. Company sales rose 6.2% to $1.409 billion, while franchise revenues advanced 12.5% to $14.4 million. The brand continued to benefit from its value platform and menu innovation.Comparable restaurant sales for Chili's increased 5.6% year over year, reflecting 4.3% pricing and 1.5% traffic growth, partly offset by a 0.2% negative mix impact. Management said the Big Crispy chicken sandwich helped sustain momentum, with sales rising to 55 sandwiches per restaurant per day by quarter-end from 20 before the launch. Maggiano’s total revenues declined 7.8% year over year to $112.8 million. Company sales also fell 7.8% to $112.6 million, reflecting lower traffic and restaurant closures, partly offset by menu pricing.Comparable restaurant sales decreased 2.5%. Traffic dropped 5.3% and mix was down 0.1%, while price contributed 2.9%. The brand’s non-GAAP restaurant operating margin contracted to 10.3% from 13.3%. Management said the turnaround is progressing more slowly than planned and modeled flat revenues and profits for fiscal 2027. Operating income increased 17% year over year to $167 million, while operating income margin expanded 110 basis points to 10.9%. Non-GAAP restaurant operating margin improved 20 basis points to 18% of company sales. Net income rose 22.5% to $131.1 million, and GAAP earnings advanced to $2.99 from $2.30. Adjusted EBITDA increased 7.2% to $227.6 million.Food and beverage costs rose to 26.3% of company sales from 25.5%, pressured by 4.4% commodity inflation, mainly higher beef costs and a temporary spike in tomato prices. Restaurant labor improved 90 basis points to 31.3%, as sales leverage offset 3.1% wage inflation and other investments. Restaurant expenses edged down 10 basis points to 24.4%. Advertising expense was 3% of sales, up 20 basis points, supporting the Big Crispy campaign. For fiscal 2026, net cash provided by operating activities rose 16.3% year over year to $789.4 million. Cash and cash equivalents ended the year at $110 million compared with $18.9 million a year earlier. Payments for property and equipment totaled $231.9 million.Brinker used operating cash flow to repurchase $400 million of common stock during fiscal 2026. The board subsequently authorized total repurchase capacity of $750 million. After year-end, the company redeemed $350 million of 8.25% notes using its revolving credit facility, which management expects to generate interest savings in fiscal 2027. Brinker also plans to acquire 12 Chili’s franchise restaurants in Alabama and Mississippi. For fiscal 2027, EAT expects total revenues of $6.15-$6.27 billion and adjusted earnings of $12.60-$13.40 per share. Capital expenditures are projected at $265-$285 million, with diluted weighted average shares of 42-43 million. The company plans 60-80 Chili’s reimages after completing 11 in fiscal 2026.The outlook includes a 53rd operating week, which is expected to add about 2% to revenues and $0.70 to adjusted earnings per share. Management assumes low-single-digit commodity and wage inflation and three net new company-owned restaurant openings. For Chili’s, the plan assumes mid-single-digit same-store sales growth and positive traffic for the remainder of the year, along with 20-40 basis points of restaurant-level margin improvement on a 52-week basis. In the past month, investors have witnessed a upward trend in estimates review. The consensus estimate has shifted 13.04% due to these changes. Currently, Brinker International has a strong Growth Score of A, a score with the same score on the momentum front. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Estimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. It comes with little surprise Brinker International has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months. Brinker International is part of the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry. Over the past month, Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), a stock from the same industry, has gained 10.8%. The company reported its results for the quarter ended June 2026 more than a month ago. Chipotle reported revenues of $3.35 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +9.3%. EPS of $0.33 for the same period compares with $0.33 a year ago. Chipotle is expected to post earnings of $0.29 per share for the current quarter, representing no change from the year-ago quarter. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.3%. The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Chipotle. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of C. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Interested in Casey's General Stores, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. Casey’s sold off after its fiscal first-quarter report, but revenue, earnings, fuel gross profit, and inside margins still improved year over year. The company’s three-year plan leans on food, store growth and technology, with prepared food and pizza remaining central to the growth story. Analysts remain constructive, and capital returns add support, but unchanged guidance gave investors a reason to reset expectations. Casey’s General Store’s (NASDAQ: CASY) September stock price plunge is a thing of beauty for buy-and-hold investors. While the near-term pain is obvious, with shares down more than 10% following the first quarter fiscal year 2027 (FY2027) release and roughly 35% from their 2026 peak, the potential for long-term gain is undeniable. Casey’s is among the best-operated businesses on Wall Street, sustaining a fortress-quality balance sheet while investing in growth and returning capital to shareholders. Its stock price action is supported by growth, margins, margin strength, cash flow, dividends, and share buybacks, all of which are expected to continue in the coming years and point to substantial value gains for investors. → Morgan Stanley Eyes Good Things Ahead for Meta After $18 Billion Legal Settlement The details of the Q1 FY2027 report were more of an excuse to sell than a real trigger. While slowing growth and rising costs are a concern, outperformance, wider margins, and cash flow strength were also present, suggesting the bearish reaction is a knee-jerk response likely to be corrected quickly. The more pressing concern is the guidance, but even that provides a catalyst likely to emerge as soon as the subsequent earnings report. Guidance is positive, expecting growth, but it was maintained at the prior level rather than strengthened, which is odd given the Q1 strength. The likely outcome, however, is cautious guidance, continued strength, outperformance in Q2 and eventual improvement. → Tesla’s Robotaxi Launch Wasn’t the Moment Investors Expected Casey’s General Stores revealed an ambitious three-year plan earlier this year, and the results are already starting to show. Key takeaways include a focus on food, menu offerings, customer satisfaction, store counts, and technology reminiscent of fast-casual restaurant successes such as Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG). Laugh if you want, but a comparison is warranted. Casey’s is a gas station first and foremost, but it is the inside sales that drive growth, dominated by pizza and food offerings that have elevated it to 5th position in the US pizza market. Chipotle Mexican Grill’s then-CEO, Brian Niccol, accelerated growth and margin expansion with the same tactics he's now using at Starbucks—leaning into digitization for efficiency, consumer reach, and loyalty programs, just as Casey’s is doing. → Despite Post-Earnings Drop, Wall Street Analysts Eye New Highs for Broadcom Stock Casey’s General Store grew revenue by 24.5% to $5.69 billion on the combination of comp-store growth, new stores, and acquisitions. Revenue outpaced MarketBeat’s consensus by more than 250 basis points (bps), driven by better-than-expected comps and a faster-than-expected Fike’s integration. Inside comps grew by 3.2%, down from last year’s 4.3% but ahead of forecasts, underpinned by a 4.8% increase in food. Margin was another strength, with the inside margin improving to 42.2%. Fuel gallons sold declined marginally by 0.3%, but a substantial margin improvement offset the decline, resulting in a nearly 20% increase in segment gross profit. Margin news is good. Operating costs rose by 8%, trailing the 24.5% top-line advance by a wide margin, leaving net earnings and GAAP earnings per share (EPS) up by 27.1% and 27.7%, respectively. Looking ahead, the company still expects solid results for the year, with inside comps forecasts up 2%-5%, but the lack of improvement helped trigger and amplify the sell-the-news event. Analysts’ initial responses do not align with the stock price plunge. The few commentaries released praised the results, citing Q1 strengths such as inside sales momentum, fuel margins, and the ability to meet full-year goals, all of which deserve a price premium. As it stands, the 20 analysts MarketBeat tracks rate the stock a Moderate Buy; the data shows a Buy-side bias, no sell ratings and strong price targets. While a few late-summer price target reductions cap upside, they align with the consensus forecast, suggesting a move into the low-$900 range. The current price target of $928.53 indicates nearly 53% upside. Institutional buyers are likely to buy this stock on the dip. They reflect strong confidence in cash flow and the capital-return outlook, owning more than 85% of the stock. They have accumulated on balance for eight consecutive quarters, ramping activity in early calendar Q3 following the three-year strategy update. Capital returns are a significant factor, including dividends and share buybacks. The company is a Dividend Achiever, having increased its dividend for more than 25 consecutive years, and has the potential to sustain annual increases for another 25 years. The yield is low at 0.43% but reliable and compounded by growth and buybacks. Buybacks reduce the share count incrementally each quarter, except when the company preserves capital for acquisitions. There are no major acquisitions in sight, only tuck-ins and organic expansions that the company can fund with cash flow. The article "Casey’s Post-Earnings Drop May Give Investors a Better Entry Into a Quality Retailer" was originally published by MarketBeat. View MarketBeat's top stocks for September 2026.

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Dutch Bros (BROS). Shares have lost about 13.3% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Dutch Bros due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent drivers for Dutch Bros Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late. Dutch Bros reported second-quarter 2026 results, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both metrics increased on a year-over-year basis. The quarter benefited from new shop growth, sustained comparable-shop momentum and transaction-driving initiatives. Systemwide same-shop sales rose 5.8% year over year, supported by a 1.7% increase in transactions. In the second quarter of 2026, Dutch Bros reported adjusted earnings per share of 33 cents, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 29 cents by 13.8%. The figure increased 26.9% from 26 cents in the prior-year quarter. Quarterly revenues of $550.9 million surpassed the consensus mark of $524 million by 5.1%. The top line increased 32.5% year over year from $415.81 million, reflecting contributions from new shops and higher comparable sales. Company-operated shop revenues climbed 34% year over year to $510 million from $380.5 million. The increase reflected contributions from new locations and continued growth across comparable company-operated shops. Franchising and other revenues advanced to $40.8 million from $35.3 million in the prior-year quarter. Dutch Bros opened 48 system shops during the period, comprising 44 company-operated shops and four franchised locations, and ended the quarter with 1,225 system shops. Company-operated same-shop sales increased 8.3% year over year. The result included 3.4% transaction growth and a 4.9% rise in ticket, showing that higher customer visits and spending supported the sales increase. Systemwide same-shop sales advanced 5.8%, with ticket up 4.1%. Management cited the food rollout, maturation of newer shop vintages, brand marketing initiatives and customer segmentation within Dutch Rewards as key contributors to performance. Company-operated shop contribution increased 31.9% year over year to $155.97 million. The contribution margin was 30.6%, down from 31.1%, as higher coffee, food and occupancy costs offset part of the benefit from sales growth. Beverage, food and packaging costs increased 80 basis points to 26.1% of company-operated shop revenues. Labor costs improved 120 basis points to 25.4% on sales leverage, while occupancy and other costs increased 50 basis points to 16.3%. Adjusted EBITDA rose 27.8% to $113.71 million. Dutch Bros ended the quarter with $268.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared with $269.4 million at the end of 2025. Total liquidity was approximately $699 million, including $430.6 million of available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility. At June 30, 2026, $50.0 million was outstanding under the facility, with remaining borrowing capacity net of $19.4 million in letters of credit. Average capital expenditures per new shop were approximately $1.4 million. The company continued shifting toward build-to-suit leases and maintained its long-term target of deriving 60% of its shop portfolio from that development structure. Dutch Bros agreed to acquire the real estate and related site assets of up to 65 Salad and Go locations across Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to approvals and customary conditions. The company expects to convert the acquired drive-thru locations into Dutch Bros shops in 2027. Management believes the sites will deepen density in markets where the brand already has awareness and support continued footprint growth. BROS’ 2026 outlook excludes any impact from the transaction. Following the second-quarter performance and the Phoenix franchise acquisition, management raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $2.10-$2.13 billion from $2.05-$2.08 billion. Systemwide same-shop sales growth is now expected between 5% and 6%, compared with the prior 4%-6% range. Adjusted EBITDA is projected between $385 million and $390 million, up from $370-$380 million. Capital expenditures are expected to be $350-$370 million, while Dutch Bros continues to forecast at least 185 system shop openings in 2026. In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. At this time, Dutch Bros has a great Growth Score of A, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock has a score of F on the value side, putting it in the bottom 20% quintile for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Interestingly, Dutch Bros has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. Dutch Bros belongs to the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry. Another stock from the same industry, Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), has gained 11.5% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended June 2026. Chipotle reported revenues of $3.35 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +9.3%. EPS of $0.33 for the same period compares with $0.33 a year ago. For the current quarter, Chipotle is expected to post earnings of $0.29 per share, indicating no change from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.3% over the last 30 days. The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Chipotle. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of D. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Dutch Bros Inc. (BROS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research