JFrog stock rises as Cantor Fitzgerald maintains Overweight rating after strong Q2
On Friday, analysts at Barclays (LON:BARC) initiated coverage on Sweetgreen Inc. (NYSE: SG) stock with an equalweight rating and set a price target of $16.00, representing about 15% upside from the current price of $13.90. The decision reflects the company’s industry-leading growth metrics but also highlights challenges in defining an appropriate valuation multiple. According to InvestingPro data, analyst targets for the stock range from $15 to $30, while the company’s current market capitalization stands at $1.64 billion.
The analysts noted that while Sweetgreen shows revenue growth of 11.1% over the last twelve months, its valuation remains elevated compared to the broader restaurant industry, trading at 3.8x book value. This is due to fundamental challenges faced by the company at the start of 2025, leading to its stock trading at a modest discount compared to high-growth peers. InvestingPro analysis reveals 12 key factors affecting Sweetgreen’s valuation, including detailed financial health metrics and growth prospects.
Sweetgreen’s comparable sales growth, a primary driver of its valuation, has been disappointing recently. It is expected to remain flat throughout 2025. This is a concern for investors who typically expect high-growth concepts to show positive comparable sales growth as a sign of brand health.
Barclays analysts also pointed out that Sweetgreen’s elevated valuation is susceptible to fundamental weaknesses. There are concerns about a potential macroeconomic slowdown, which could lead investors to take a more defensive stance.
In other recent news, Sweetgreen Inc. reported its first-quarter 2025 earnings, revealing a revenue of $166.3 million, which slightly surpassed the anticipated $165.8 million. However, the earnings per share (EPS) aligned with forecasts at a negative $0.21. Despite the revenue exceeding expectations by $500,000, the company experienced a decline in same-store sales by 3.1%. Sweetgreen plans to address these challenges by opening more than 40 new restaurants in 2025, aiming for revenue between $740 million and $760 million. The company also expects flat same-store sales and targets a restaurant-level margin of 19.5%.
In other developments, TD Cowen reiterated a Buy rating on Sweetgreen, citing the company’s strategic initiatives, including changes to its loyalty program. The revamped loyalty program, which began in April, is showing positive results with over 20,000 new signups per week. Sweetgreen’s Vice President, Rebecca Nounou, expressed optimism about the program’s potential to positively influence performance in the coming quarters. Additionally, Sweetgreen plans to launch new seasonal bowls in July, which analysts see as a potential catalyst for increasing customer frequency. The company remains focused on enhancing customer loyalty and driving sales growth amid current market conditions.
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