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Loop Capital has maintained its Buy rating and $26.00 price target for Wendy's (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:WEN) shares. The firm's latest checks with U.S. franchisees revealed that same-store sales growth for the third quarter of 2024 is on track with expectations.
According to the firm's findings, Wendy's has experienced a 2.0-2.5% increase in same-store sales to date in the third quarter, aligning with both the firm's and consensus estimates of approximately 2.5% and 2.1% growth, respectively.
The current growth represents a slight decline from the 5.7% two-year stack reported in the second quarter of 2024. However, when examining the numbers on a three-year stacked basis, the current quarter-to-date growth of 10.6-11.1% indicates a significant acceleration from the 7.9% growth rate reported in the previous quarter.
Loop Capital's continued Buy rating and price target are based on a multiple of 13.5 times the firm's 2025 enterprise value to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) estimate for Wendy's.
The firm's analysis suggests confidence in the fast-food chain's performance and growth potential.
In other recent news, Wendy's Company released its second-quarter earnings, highlighting a 2.6% increase in system-wide sales. This growth is largely attributed to the company's breakfast and late-night offerings, which also contributed to a 0.8% growth in same-restaurant sales. A significant 40% year-over-year surge in digital sales was also noted.
Despite a slight decrease in adjusted EBITDA, Wendy's is actively pursuing global expansion, with plans to open new restaurants in various international markets, including Ireland, Romania, and New Zealand, aiming to establish 250 to 300 new outlets by 2024.
On the analyst front, Evercore ISI has adjusted its outlook on Wendy's shares, reducing the price target to $20.00 from the previous target of $22.00, while maintaining its In Line rating on the stock. The firm's 2024 estimated earnings per share (EPS) for Wendy's remains steady at $0.98. The firm has revised its same-store sales (SSS) growth predictions for the third and fourth quarters to 1% and 2%, respectively, a decrease from the previous forecast of 3%.
InvestingPro Insights
According to the latest data available on InvestingPro, Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN) displays a mix of financial strengths and market challenges. The company's market capitalization stands at $3.43 billion, reflecting its solid presence in the industry. With a P/E ratio of 17.26 and an adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 at 16.48, Wendy's is trading at a high multiple relative to near-term earnings growth, an aspect that investors may want to consider.
Wendy's demonstrates a commitment to returning value to shareholders, as evidenced by its significant dividend yield of 5.92%, and the company has consistently paid dividends for 22 consecutive years. This, coupled with the fact that Wendy's has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years, suggests a reliable income stream for investors. However, it's worth noting that 12 analysts have revised their earnings expectations downwards for the upcoming period, which could impact future dividend growth and overall financial performance.
For those seeking further insights, InvestingPro offers additional tips on Wendy's, providing a comprehensive analysis for informed investment decisions. Visit InvestingPro for more details and to explore the full range of expert tips available for Wendy's.
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