Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) Price Target Raised to $50.00

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) had its price target increased by DA Davidson from $45.00 to $50.00 in a research note released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the restaurant operator’s stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Chipotle Mexican Grill from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and dropped their target price for the company from $38.00 to $35.00 in a report on Friday, June 5th. Argus raised Chipotle Mexican Grill from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $40.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 5th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $46.00 to $45.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 13th. BTIG Research reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $45.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Thursday. Finally, TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating and set a $44.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Thursday. Twenty-four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $43.98.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Down 3.1%

Shares of NYSE:CMG opened at $37.31 on Thursday. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a 52 week low of $28.03 and a 52 week high of $44.27. The company’s 50 day moving average is $32.85 and its two-hundred day moving average is $34.62. The company has a market cap of $47.86 billion, a PE ratio of 34.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.97.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $3.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.33 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 11.43% and a return on equity of 54.65%. The company’s revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.33 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill will post 1.14 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Chipotle Mexican Grill

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $711,837,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 14.8% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 144,588,220 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $5,349,764,000 after acquiring an additional 18,660,882 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 15.8% during the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 101,688,010 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $3,762,457,000 after acquiring an additional 13,843,222 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 206.4% in the 4th quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 14,062,158 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $520,300,000 after acquiring an additional 9,473,120 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 18.8% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 58,447,867 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $2,162,572,000 after acquiring an additional 9,237,720 shares during the period. 91.30% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Chipotle Mexican Grill News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Chipotle Mexican Grill this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Chipotle reported second-quarter adjusted EPS of $0.33, slightly above the $0.32 consensus, while revenue rose 9.3% year over year to $3.35 billion, broadly ahead of expectations. Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Rallies as Q2 Results Top Fears, Guidance Rises
• Positive Sentiment: Comparable restaurant sales increased 2.2%, supported by improving customer traffic, menu innovation, digital engagement and restaurant expansion. Management raised its full-year comparable-sales outlook, signaling confidence that momentum is continuing. Chipotle shares rise on quarterly earnings beat, raised outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remained constructive following the results. DA Davidson raised its price target to $50 and maintained a Buy rating, while BTIG, TD Cowen and Mizuho also retained positive recommendations; Mizuho lifted its target to $43.
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusually heavy call-option activity and multiple price-target revisions indicate heightened investor interest, but these signals can also contribute to short-term volatility rather than establish a lasting trend.
• Negative Sentiment: Management said sales softened late in July amid consumer concerns about a cyclospora outbreak, although Chipotle stated it was not involved in the outbreak. The traffic disruption has raised questions about the durability of the recovery. Chipotle lifts its sales forecast even as a lettuce-linked outbreak slows foot traffic
• Negative Sentiment: Investors also remain concerned about labor and other operating costs pressuring margins. Piper Sandler lowered its target to $39 and Morgan Stanley and Stephens kept more cautious equal-weight ratings, limiting the stock’s upside after its sharp earnings-related advance.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile

Chipotle Mexican Grill is a fast-casual restaurant company known for its Mexican-inspired menu of burritos, bowls, tacos and salads. Founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, the chain emphasizes fresh, customizable meals made from a limited menu of core ingredients and a focus on ingredient quality. Chipotle operates primarily company-owned restaurants and offers dine-in, takeout, catering and delivery through its own digital platforms and third-party partners.

The company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, and traces its roots to Denver, Colorado.