Denny’s stock outlook remains cautious as KeyBanc maintains Sector Weight

Published 05/08/2025, 18:14
Denny’s stock outlook remains cautious as KeyBanc maintains Sector Weight

Investing.com - Denny’s Corporation (NASDAQ:DENN) received a reiterated Sector Weight rating from KeyBanc on Tuesday, following the restaurant chain’s second-quarter 2025 financial results. The stock, which has declined over 40% in the past year according to InvestingPro data, currently trades at $3.42, significantly below its 52-week high of $7.73.

The company reported a 1.3% same-store sales decline for the quarter, which aligned with Street forecasts. Despite meeting sales expectations, Denny’s EBITDA and earnings per share fell below analyst projections as the brand increased its focus on value offerings amid challenging economic conditions. The company maintains a "FAIR" overall financial health score according to InvestingPro analysis, with last twelve months EBITDA of $62.8 million.

KeyBanc noted that same-store sales trends remained inconsistent due to macroeconomic volatility and uncertainty. In response to the quarterly results, the research firm trimmed its 2025 EPS estimate to $0.38 and its 2026 EPS forecast to $0.42, citing the second-quarter miss, lower same-store sales growth assumptions, and higher interest expense expectations.

Denny’s management reiterated all components of its full-year outlook but continued to expect results would finish at the lower end of its projected ranges. The company has been navigating a difficult consumer spending environment while trying to maintain traffic through value-focused initiatives.

KeyBanc maintained its Sector Weight rating on Denny’s stock, indicating its belief that shares are fairly valued at approximately 9 times the firm’s 2026 earnings per share estimate. However, InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis suggests the stock is currently undervalued, with analysts setting price targets between $5.75 and $8.00. Get access to 6 additional exclusive ProTips and comprehensive valuation metrics with an InvestingPro subscription.

In other recent news, Denny’s Corporation reported its second-quarter 2025 earnings, which fell short of analyst expectations. The company posted an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.09, missing the forecast of $0.11, and recorded revenue of $117.7 million, slightly below the expected $118.18 million. These results reflect challenging conditions in the Family Dining segment, as evidenced by a 1.3% decline in domestic systemwide same-store sales. Following the earnings report, Piper Sandler adjusted its price target for Denny’s to $4.00 from $6.00, maintaining a Neutral rating. Similarly, Truist Securities lowered its price target from $7.00 to $6.00 while keeping a Buy rating, citing the missed adjusted EBITDA expectations. Despite the earnings miss, Truist Securities highlighted that the new price target still suggests significant upside potential. These developments underscore the mixed reactions from analysts regarding Denny’s current financial performance and future prospects.

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