Jefferies lowers Cava Group stock price target to $100 on tough comps

Published 13/08/2025, 08:02
Jefferies lowers Cava Group stock price target to $100 on tough comps

Investing.com - Jefferies has lowered its price target on Cava Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) to $100.00 from $125.00 while maintaining a Buy rating on the Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain. The stock, which has seen a -35% return over the past six months, currently trades at a P/E ratio of 68.6x.

The price target reduction follows Cava’s second-quarter same-store sales miss, though the company delivered an EBITDA beat due to higher restaurant-level margins and lower general and administrative expenses. According to InvestingPro data, CAVA maintains strong liquidity with a current ratio of 3.0x and operates with moderate debt levels.

Jefferies noted that "noise in tough laps & new units in the comp base" with "significant outperformance in Year 1" is overshadowing what it views as healthy underlying demand for the restaurant chain.

The firm pointed out that Cava’s full-year same-store sales outlook has been lowered even as July performance improved after lapping the initial steak launch period from the previous year.

Jefferies believes the reset expectations should prove realistic or potentially conservative, with the strength of Cava’s business model continuing to deliver on its attractive EBITDA growth algorithm.

In other recent news, CAVA Group Inc . reported its second-quarter 2025 earnings, surpassing market expectations with earnings per share of $0.16, compared to the forecasted $0.14. The company’s revenue also exceeded projections, reaching $278.2 million against an expected $249.66 million. Despite this positive performance, CAVA’s same-store sales growth of 2.1% fell short of expectations, with analysts from Stifel noting their initial forecast of 5.5% and the Street’s 6.3% forecast. Stifel reiterated its Buy rating on CAVA Group, maintaining a price target of $125, seeing the recent share pullback as a buying opportunity. Meanwhile, KeyBanc Capital Markets adjusted its price target for CAVA Group to $85 from $100, while maintaining an Overweight rating. This adjustment was influenced by slower sales growth trends that missed consensus estimates. These developments reflect varied analyst perspectives on CAVA Group’s recent performance and future potential.

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