Kura Sushi USA (NASDAQ:KRUS) Shares Up 12.5% – Here’s Why

Kura Sushi USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:KRUS) shares traded up 12.5% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $63.56 and last traded at $62.6080. 203,980 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 47% from the average session volume of 387,539 shares. The stock had previously closed at $55.64.

Trending Headlines about Kura Sushi USA

Here are the key news stories impacting Kura Sushi USA this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Management reiterated FY2026 targets — $330–$334M in sales, 16 new restaurants and a ~18% restaurant‑level operating profit margin, and said cost‑management and pricing momentum are improving. MSN article
• Positive Sentiment: Total sales grew to $73.5M (from $64.5M a year ago) and the company opened four restaurants in Q1, with 10 more under construction — supporting the growth narrative. Press release / results
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call transcripts and highlights were posted (management discussed execution and outlook); listen/read for color on unit economics and timing of margin improvement. Earnings call transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent analyst coverage shows mixed targets (median ~$62) — Street views appear split between growth potential and near‑term margin risk. Seeking Alpha transcript
• Negative Sentiment: EPS missed estimates (reported $(0.23) vs. expected $(0.17)); net loss widened to $3.1M from $1.0M a year ago — a clear near‑term earnings headwind. MarketBeat earnings summary
• Negative Sentiment: Comparable restaurant sales declined 2.5% (negative traffic), restaurant‑level margins compressed (15.1% vs 18.2% prior) and adjusted EBITDA fell — signaling operational pressure despite unit growth. Yahoo Finance highlights
• Negative Sentiment: Cost pressures (tariffs, higher food & beverage and marketing) and a cash balance decline versus the prior quarter increase near‑term execution risk. Seeking Alpha details

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on KRUS shares. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $67.00 price objective on Kura Sushi USA in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays decreased their price target on Kura Sushi USA from $67.00 to $62.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Kura Sushi USA in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Citigroup reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Kura Sushi USA in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Kura Sushi USA from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, December 6th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $78.78.

Kura Sushi USA Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $786.84 million, a PE ratio of -409.55 and a beta of 1.68. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $51.85 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $67.46.

Kura Sushi USA (NASDAQ:KRUS) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 7th. The company reported ($0.23) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.17) by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $73.46 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $72.98 million. Kura Sushi USA had a positive return on equity of 0.18% and a negative net margin of 0.67%.During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.08) earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Kura Sushi USA, Inc. will post 0.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Kura Sushi USA

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Kura Sushi USA by 13.0% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 3,842 shares of the company’s stock valued at $197,000 after purchasing an additional 441 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its position in shares of Kura Sushi USA by 18.2% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 3,983 shares of the company’s stock valued at $204,000 after purchasing an additional 613 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Kura Sushi USA by 122.5% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 18,010 shares of the company’s stock valued at $922,000 after buying an additional 9,914 shares during the last quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Kura Sushi USA by 25.4% during the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 256,449 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,130,000 after buying an additional 51,866 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Truist Financial Corp bought a new stake in shares of Kura Sushi USA in the second quarter worth $238,000. 65.49% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Kura Sushi USA

Kura Sushi USA, Inc operates Japanese‐style revolving sushi restaurants across the United States. The company’s concept centers on delivering a modern sushi dining experience by combining fresh ingredients with automated conveyer belt and plate‐return systems. Guests can choose from a broad menu that includes nigiri, sashimi, maki rolls, tempura, udon noodles and chef‐inspired seasonal dishes, all served directly from the conveyor belt or ordered on tabletop touchscreens.

Each restaurant integrates patented technology to ensure food quality and operational efficiency.