Chipotle stock falls despite Stifel reiterating Buy rating amid sales recovery

Published 25/07/2025, 06:04
Chipotle stock falls despite Stifel reiterating Buy rating amid sales recovery

Investing.com - Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG), the $61.33 billion market cap restaurant chain, saw shares decline 9-10% in after-hours trading following the release of its second-quarter results, despite Stifel maintaining its Buy rating and $65.00 price target on the stock. According to InvestingPro data, the stock’s RSI suggests oversold conditions, presenting a potential opportunity for investors.

The Mexican-inspired restaurant chain reported comparable sales declining 4% in the second quarter, with transactions down nearly 5%, reflecting what Stifel described as "a challenging consumer environment and lapping extraordinary performance." Despite weak comparable sales, the company delivered earnings per share of $0.33, in line with consensus estimates. The company maintains strong fundamentals with a healthy 40.16% gross profit margin and impressive 43% return on equity. InvestingPro analysis reveals 15+ additional key insights about CMG’s financial health and valuation.

Chipotle has implemented several initiatives to address the sales slowdown, including expanded digital and marketing programs such as the "Summer of Extras" rewards campaign, completing the rollout of produce slicers, and installing high-efficiency equipment in additional locations.

The company’s efforts appear to be gaining traction, with management indicating that comparable sales and traffic returned to positive territory in mid-June and have maintained that momentum through July. Chipotle projects approximately 2% comparable sales growth for the third quarter, with full-year 2025 comparable sales expected to be roughly flat.

Stifel expressed optimism about Chipotle’s sales plan for the second half of 2025 and 2026, citing the return of a popular limited-time offering, more frequent limited-time offerings next year, operational improvements, and new digital and AI engagement tools.

In other recent news, Chipotle Mexican Grill has been the subject of several analyst assessments following its second-quarter results. The company’s earnings per share met expectations, but it missed the same-store sales growth expectations, leading to adjustments in analyst price targets. RBC Capital lowered its price target to $58.00, citing weak second-quarter results with same-store sales down 4%, attributed to macroeconomic volatility. Similarly, KeyBanc and TD Cowen also reduced their price targets to $58.00, with TD Cowen noting a softer sales outlook for 2025.

Despite these challenges, BMO Capital and UBS maintained their positive outlooks on Chipotle. BMO reiterated an Outperform rating with a $65.00 price target, acknowledging mixed results but maintaining confidence in the company’s potential. UBS also reiterated its Buy rating and $65.00 price target, pointing out some improvement in same-store sales and transaction growth by the end of the quarter. These recent developments highlight the varied perspectives among analysts on Chipotle’s performance and future prospects.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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