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On Friday, Guggenheim Securities adjusted its stance on Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) shares, lowering the price target to $47.00 from the prior $48.00 while reiterating a Neutral rating on the stock. The company, currently valued at $66.75 billion and trading at a P/E ratio of 43.15x, saw its revision following the release of first-quarter earnings for 2025, which revealed slightly weaker-than-anticipated same-store sales (SSS), showing a 0.4% decrease compared to the analyst’s projection of flat growth.
The company reported that it is actively seeking ways to boost sales during the typically slower summer months through increased marketing efforts in social and digital channels. Despite these initiatives, Guggenheim’s analyst noted that the first quarter’s softness could largely be attributed to broader industry challenges. The difficulty in justifying a multiple greater than 40 times earnings without mid-single to high-single digit SSS growth was a key factor in the decision to adjust the stock’s price target. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company maintains strong financial health with a "GREAT" overall score, despite trading at high valuation multiples.Want deeper insights? InvestingPro offers 14 additional investment tips for CMG, along with comprehensive financial analysis in our Pro Research Report.
The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) forecast for 2026 was also slightly reduced by 2 cents to $1.32, factoring in the company’s first-quarter performance as well as the competitive landscape for April, which presented particularly strong year-over-year comparisons. This adjustment aligns with broader market sentiment, as InvestingPro data shows 27 analysts have revised their earnings expectations downward for the upcoming period. In the analyst’s view, the stock’s current valuation is more balanced, prompting the decision to maintain a Neutral rating while revising the price target downward.
In other recent news, Chipotle Mexican Grill has faced several adjustments following its first-quarter performance. UBS analyst Dennis Geiger revised Chipotle’s stock price target to $60, down from $65, maintaining a Buy rating due to better-than-expected margins and robust restaurant development. Stifel analysts also upheld a Buy rating with a $65 target, noting a 0.4% decrease in same-restaurant sales, aligning with their projections. They highlighted Chipotle’s plans to boost marketing and introduce a new menu item to address softer consumer spending. Bernstein reiterated an Outperform rating with a $60 target, despite Chipotle missing its same-store sales growth expectations. They remain optimistic about the company’s long-term prospects, citing strong fundamentals and menu innovation. TD Cowen adjusted its price target to $57 while maintaining a Buy rating, emphasizing Chipotle’s new sales initiatives amid macroeconomic challenges. RBC Capital Markets lowered its target to $60, continuing an Outperform rating, and highlighted the positive impact of the Chipotle Honey Chicken offering. These developments reflect Chipotle’s strategic responses to current market conditions and its focus on driving sales and traffic.
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