Wells Fargo sets Shake Shack stock at Equal Weight, $95 target

Published 26/03/2025, 11:18
Wells Fargo sets Shake Shack stock at Equal Weight, $95 target

On Wednesday, Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) initiated coverage on Shake Shack shares (NYSE:SHAK) with an Equal Weight rating and a price target of $95.00. According to InvestingPro data, the stock is currently trading above its Fair Value, with analyst targets ranging from $95 to $160. The new coverage reflects the firm’s view of the company’s current market position and future prospects.

Shake Shack is recognized for its potential to grow its units by mid-teens percentage points and the possibility of margin improvements of approximately 50 to 100 basis points in 2025. This aligns with the company’s strong revenue growth of 15.18% over the last twelve months and gross profit margin of 38.39%. The analysts at Wells Fargo project an EBITDA growth profile of around 13% from 2024 to 2028.

Despite these positive aspects, Wells Fargo notes that Shake Shack’s outlook for 2025 is not without challenges. The analysts estimate a 1.4% increase in comparable store sales for 2025, a decrease of about 220 basis points compared to 2024. They also point out the tough competition in the category, characterized by negative traffic, elevated promotions, and tougher comparisons post the first quarter of 2025. Additionally, near-term softness is suggested by current checks.

Following a recent pullback in the stock’s value, with year-to-date returns of -26.51%, Shake Shack is currently trading at approximately 20 times its next twelve months’ enterprise value to EBITDA. The current EV/EBITDA multiple stands at 31.45x, while Wells Fargo analysts believe this valuation is reasonable for a company with low-to-mid teens EBITDA growth. InvestingPro subscribers have access to 15+ additional valuation metrics and insights that help assess whether this premium is justified.

In their report, Wells Fargo highlights the balanced risk/reward scenario for Shake Shack, acknowledging the high expectations set by the market. The analysts express concern over the risks to Street estimates and the long-term debate on unit growth that remains unresolved. Despite these risks, they see opportunities for the company to improve margins and sustain a solid EBITDA growth trajectory. For a comprehensive analysis of Shake Shack’s financial health and growth prospects, including exclusive ProTips and detailed valuation metrics, visit InvestingPro.

In other recent news, Shake Shack Inc . reported several significant developments that could impact investor decisions. The company received an upgrade from CFRA, which raised its stock rating to Buy, maintaining a price target of $134. CFRA highlighted Shake Shack’s projected year-over-year same-store sales increase of 4%, surpassing the consensus estimate. Truist Securities also maintained a Buy rating, raising the price target to $154, citing strong same-store sales momentum and effective marketing strategies. Additionally, Stifel adjusted its price target to $120, recognizing Shake Shack’s positive sales trends and strategic objectives for 2025.

Barclays (LON:BARC) revised its price target to $155, maintaining an Overweight rating, emphasizing the company’s resilience in comparable sales despite challenging weather conditions. Shake Shack’s expansion strategy, including plans to open 85 new restaurants in 2025, is seen as a significant growth driver. Analysts have noted improvements in Shake Shack’s operational efficiencies and margin performance, with expectations for further enhancements. The company’s focus on menu innovation, traffic growth, and pricing strategies is anticipated to support continued financial success. Overall, these recent developments reflect a positive outlook from analysts regarding Shake Shack’s growth and profitability potential.

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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