Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) Stock Rating Upgraded by Raymond James Financial

Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) was upgraded by analysts at Raymond James Financial from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report released on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm currently has a $240.00 price target on the restaurant operator’s stock, down from their prior price target of $325.00. Raymond James Financial’s price objective indicates a potential upside of 65.67% from the stock’s previous close.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. DA Davidson assumed coverage on shares of Wingstop in a research note on Friday, March 6th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $330.00 price objective for the company. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on Wingstop from $325.00 to $250.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 26th. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on Wingstop in a report on Monday. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $275.00 price target for the company. BTIG Research reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $400.00 price objective on shares of Wingstop in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $335.00 price objective on shares of Wingstop in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-six have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.24.

Wingstop Stock Down 6.5%

NASDAQ WING opened at $144.87 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $3.96 billion, a PE ratio of 23.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 2.03. Wingstop has a 52 week low of $144.68 and a 52 week high of $388.14. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $230.54 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $244.51.

Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The restaurant operator reported $1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $175.69 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $177.74 million. Wingstop had a net margin of 25.01% and a negative return on equity of 16.12%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.92 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Wingstop will post 4.18 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Wesley S. Mcdonald sold 566 shares of Wingstop stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $141,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 4,375 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,093,750. This trade represents a 11.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Kilandigalu Madati sold 2,700 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $260.73, for a total value of $703,971.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 2,583 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $673,465.59. The trade was a 51.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.72% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Wingstop

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of WING. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its position in Wingstop by 1,650.0% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 105 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Wingstop by 76.9% during the 4th quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 138 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Wingstop by 197.9% during the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 143 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wingstop by 54.3% during the 3rd quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 142 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GW&K Investment Management LLC grew its position in Wingstop by 75.7% in the fourth quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC now owns 188 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares in the last quarter.

Key Wingstop News

Here are the key news stories impacting Wingstop this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and retail commentary saying WING looks attractive at current levels, which could draw buying interest from value-seeking investors. Wingstop draws retail buzz: Analyst says stock has become quite attractive at current levels
• Positive Sentiment: Guggenheim lowered its price target from $315 to $255 but kept a “buy” rating — implies continued analyst conviction and a meaningful upside from current levels despite the cut. Benzinga: Guggenheim lowers Wingstop price target to $255
• Positive Sentiment: Feature pieces highlighting reasons to like Wingstop (brand, unit economics, growth runway) could support sentiment among retail/income-focused investors. 3 Big Reasons to Love Wingstop
• Neutral Sentiment: BNP Paribas Exane has initiated coverage on WING — watch the published view/rating for new institutional context. BNP Paribas Exane Initiates Coverage on Wingstop
• Neutral Sentiment: Marketing/brand coverage (e.g., Wingstop performing well with Australian influencers) shows consumer buzz but is unlikely to move the stock on its own. Paramount, Wingstop, Rimmel: The Brands Aussie Influencers Can’t Get Enough Of
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry profile pieces about other fast-casual chains (e.g., Currito) are not directly relevant to Wingstop’s near-term stock movement. Why Franchisee Yogesh Patel Believes Currito is the Next Big Growth Brand
• Negative Sentiment: Wells Fargo cut its price target sharply from $330 to $225 (still “overweight”) — the trim signals more cautious near-term expectations and likely contributed to selling pressure. Wells Fargo Lowers Wingstop Price Target to $225
• Negative Sentiment: Coverage noting WING is trading near its 52‑week low and describing a steep recent selloff — technical weakness can accelerate outflows and volatility. Wingstop Stock Near 52-Week Low as Wells Fargo Trims Target to $225
• Negative Sentiment: Market coverage reporting the stock “sinks” (session close cited) highlights immediate selling and negative intraday momentum. Wingstop (WING) Stock Sinks As Market Gains: What You Should Know

Wingstop Company Profile

Wingstop Inc (NASDAQ: WING) is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in chicken wings and related menu items. Founded in 1994 in Garland, Texas, the company has built its brand around bold, chef-inspired wing flavors and a streamlined service model that caters to dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering orders.

The company’s core offerings include both bone-in and boneless chicken wings tossed in a variety of proprietary rubs and sauces, such as Original Hot, Lemon Pepper, and Mango Habanero.