Zacks Research Has Optimistic Outlook of CMG FY2026 Earnings

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research lifted their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, August 12th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the restaurant operator will earn $1.15 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $1.14. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Chipotle Mexican Grill’s current full-year earnings is $1.14 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Chipotle Mexican Grill’s FY2027 earnings at $1.32 EPS.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on CMG. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $45.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $40.00 to $38.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Argus lifted their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Stephens reaffirmed a “positive” rating and issued a $40.00 price target (up from $36.00) on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Guggenheim reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $36.00 price target (up from $35.00) on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Friday, July 31st. Twenty-four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $44.16.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

CMG opened at $32.59 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $41.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.90, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.94. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a one year low of $28.03 and a one year high of $44.27. The business’s fifty day moving average is $33.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $34.16.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $3.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.33 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 54.65% and a net margin of 11.43%.Chipotle Mexican Grill’s quarterly revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.33 EPS.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Chipotle Mexican Grill

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4.7% in the fourth quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,804 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $290,000 after buying an additional 214 shares during the last quarter. City State Bank boosted its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 13.4% during the fourth quarter. City State Bank now owns 2,330 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $86,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Groupama Asset Managment boosted its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 15,596 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $568,000 after acquiring an additional 291 shares during the last quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC grew its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC now owns 6,763 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $250,000 after acquiring an additional 298 shares during the period. Finally, Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI grew its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 12,708 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $407,000 after acquiring an additional 311 shares during the period. 91.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Chipotle Mexican Grill

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

• Positive Sentiment: International expansion: Chipotle will open its first Saudi Arabian restaurant later this month at Sidra in Riyadh, partnering with Alshaya Group. The move expands the company’s Middle East presence while using a franchise model that can support growth with lower capital requirements. Chipotle Debuts in Saudi Arabia With First Restaurant in Riyadh
• Positive Sentiment: Potential sales recovery: Recent analysis points to improved second-quarter traffic and a low-single-digit comparable-sales outlook for 2026, suggesting Chipotle’s recent weakness may be stabilizing. However, softer third-quarter trends could challenge that recovery. Chipotle Eyes Low-Single-Digit 2026 Comps
• Neutral Sentiment: Lower ingredient costs, but food-safety concerns: Lettuce prices recorded a sharp monthly decline in July as a cyclospora outbreak discouraged consumers from eating leafy greens. Lower produce costs could modestly benefit margins, but lingering food-safety concerns may hurt restaurant traffic and customer confidence. Lettuce Prices See Record-Setting Plunge
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts cut earnings forecasts: Zacks Research reduced its estimates for Chipotle’s second-quarter 2027 EPS to $0.36 from $0.39, second-quarter 2028 EPS to $0.39 from $0.44, and fiscal 2028 EPS to $1.50 from $1.55. The firm maintains a “Hold” rating, signaling limited near-term conviction in the earnings outlook.
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive and consumer pressure: Investors are favoring established restaurant chains such as Cheesecake Factory over higher-growth concepts, while financially strained consumers remain a concern for Chipotle’s traffic and pricing power. Cheesecake Factory Is Crushing Chipotle

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.