Chipotle (CMG, $598.91) overwhelmingly beats earnings estimate; many analysts raise price target
Many analysts raised their price targets for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.'s stock, following the company’s solid earnings and sales report.
On Wednesday, the fast-food chain of restaurants reported fourth quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.72, which far outpaced the $1.37 a share figure expected by analysts (based on Refinitiv data).
Revenues of $1.23 billion for the quarter beat estimate of $1.194 billion. The company’s same-store sales growth of +6.1% exceeded analysts’ expected +4.49%. (based on Refinitiv data).
Chipotle’s digital orders surged +65.9% in the quarter, and contributed to 12.9% of its sales. Chipotle is reportedly upping the ante on its online market, by upgrading its kitchens, boosting pickup shelves for displaying online orders, and testing out its drive-through windows services that allow customers to pick up what they ordered online.
Several analysts seem to believe that there’s strong potential in the restaurant chain’s recent performance. Morgan Stanley, for example upgraded its price target for Chipotle stock to $617 from $600. Bank of America raised the target to $400 from $340. J.P. Morgan revised it to $550 from $500. However, some analysts, such as Goldman Sachs, were somewhat cautious on their outlook on the stock.
The stock was up more than +13% in early trading Thursday.
CMG sees its Stochastic Oscillator ascends from oversold territory
On February 25, 2026, the Stochastic Oscillator for CMG moved out of oversold territory and this could be a bullish sign for the stock. Traders may want to buy the stock or buy call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 52 instances where the indicator left the oversold zone. In of the 52 cases the stock moved higher in the following days. This puts the odds of a move higher at over .
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where CMG advanced for three days, in of 328 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
CMG may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on March 03, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on CMG as a result. In of 77 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
CMG moved below its 50-day moving average on February 19, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for CMG crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on February 19, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In of 11 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where CMG declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Aroon Indicator for CMG entered a downward trend on March 09, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. CMG’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: CMG's P/B Ratio (16.287) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (4.516). P/E Ratio (31.026) is within average values for comparable stocks, (33.679). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.865) is also within normal values, averaging (1.619). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.110) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.982) is also within normal values, averaging (1.848).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. CMG’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 86, placing this stock worse than average.
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General Information
an operator of fast-casual, fresh Mexican food restaurants
Industry Restaurants
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