On Monday, Loop Capital confirmed its Buy rating on Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN) stock with a steady price target of $26.00. The firm's analysis revealed that Wendy's U.S. franchisee-reported same-store sales growth fell short of expectations for the second quarter of 2024.
According to the checks, there was a modest acceleration in growth from an initial range of 1.5-2.0% in the first half of the quarter to 2.0-2.5% in the latter half. However, this resulted in an implied full-quarter comparison growth of approximately 2.0%, which is below the previous estimate of 3.0% and the consensus figure of 2.5%.
The 2.0% growth on a two-year stacked basis translates to a 7.0% increase, a slight decline from the 7.9% reported in the first quarter of 2024. Nevertheless, the implied three-year stacked growth rate for the second quarter stands at 9.2%, which is marginally higher than the 8.9% growth reported in the previous quarter. Despite these figures, Loop Capital maintains its positive outlook on the stock.
Early indicators for the third quarter are somewhat more promising, with franchisees reporting same-store sales rising between 3.0% and 3.5% in the initial 10-14 days. Loop Capital's continued support for the Buy rating and the $26 price target is grounded on a 14 times multiple of their 2024 enterprise value to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EV/EBITDA) estimate for Wendy's. The firm's stance remains unchanged despite the recent performance metrics falling below the anticipated growth.
In other recent news, Wendy's has seen significant developments in its financial projections and global expansion plans. Truist Securities has adjusted its outlook on Wendy's, reducing the stock target to $21 from $22, but maintained a Buy rating.
This adjustment reflects a conservative estimate of Wendy's second-quarter performance, projecting U.S. system sales to reach $3.26 billion. However, Truist also revised its second-quarter adjusted EBITDA estimate for Wendy's to $140.8 million, slightly below the consensus.
Wendy's has also announced plans to expand into Ireland and Romania starting from 2025, following its successful re-entry into the UK market. This expansion is part of the company's strategy to strengthen its franchise partnerships and extend its global footprint.
In terms of leadership, Wendy's has appointed Abigail Pringle as President of U.S. operations and E.J. Wunsch as President, International. These appointments aim to accelerate growth in areas like same-restaurant sales, digital presence, and new restaurant development.
Analysts' views on Wendy's are mixed. Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) initiated coverage with a Sell rating, but noted the company's strong franchise financial results and improved balance sheet health. Evercore ISI maintained its In Line rating for Wendy's and included the company on its Tactical Outperform list, predicting an increase in Wendy's second-quarter U.S. same-store sales growth.
InvestingPro Insights
As Loop Capital holds a steadfast Buy rating on Wendy's, a closer look at the real-time metrics from InvestingPro reveals additional dimensions to the company's financial health and market position. With a market capitalization of $3.43 billion and a P/E ratio standing at 16.88, Wendy's financials suggest a stable investment ground. Notably, the company's P/E ratio has adjusted to 15.78 in the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, paired with a PEG ratio that aligns growth with value at 0.99. These figures underscore a balance between Wendy's earnings and its growth trajectory.
Dividend investors might find solace in Wendy's consistent shareholder returns, as the company has not only raised its dividend for three consecutive years but has also maintained dividend payments for 22 years. With a significant dividend yield of 5.99%, Wendy's commitment to shareholder value is evident. Moreover, the company's liquid assets surpassing short-term obligations provide a cushion for operational flexibility.
For those seeking to delve deeper into Wendy's financials and gain access to a comprehensive set of InvestingPro Tips, including the advantage of trading near a 52-week low and the potential of a high Price/Book multiple, the InvestingPro platform offers a trove of insights. Readers can use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, unlocking access to a total of 9 additional InvestingPro Tips for Wendy's, which could further inform investment decisions. Visit https://www.investing.com/pro/WEN for an in-depth analysis.
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