What is Zacks Research’s Forecast for CMG FY2026 Earnings?

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research lifted their FY2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, August 12th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the restaurant operator will post earnings of $1.15 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $1.14. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Chipotle Mexican Grill’s current full-year earnings is $1.14 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Chipotle Mexican Grill’s FY2027 earnings at $1.32 EPS.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $3.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.33 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 54.65% and a net margin of 11.43%.Chipotle Mexican Grill’s revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.33 EPS.

CMG has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $46.00 to $45.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 13th. DA Davidson raised their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $42.50 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Guggenheim restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $36.00 price target (up from $35.00) on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed a “positive” rating and set a $40.00 price objective (up from $36.00) on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Twenty-four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $44.16.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock opened at $32.59 on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $33.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $34.16. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a one year low of $28.03 and a one year high of $44.27. The company has a market cap of $41.24 billion, a PE ratio of 29.90, a P/E/G ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.94.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chipotle Mexican Grill

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wealth Watch Advisors INC purchased a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. MV Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Osbon Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. 91.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting Chipotle Mexican Grill

Here are the key news stories impacting Chipotle Mexican Grill this week:

• Positive Sentiment: International expansion: Chipotle will open its first Saudi Arabian restaurant later this month at Sidra in Riyadh, partnering with Alshaya Group. The move expands the company’s Middle East presence while using a franchise model that can support growth with lower capital requirements. Chipotle Debuts in Saudi Arabia With First Restaurant in Riyadh
• Positive Sentiment: Potential sales recovery: Recent analysis points to improved second-quarter traffic and a low-single-digit comparable-sales outlook for 2026, suggesting Chipotle’s recent weakness may be stabilizing. However, softer third-quarter trends could challenge that recovery. Chipotle Eyes Low-Single-Digit 2026 Comps
• Neutral Sentiment: Lower ingredient costs, but food-safety concerns: Lettuce prices recorded a sharp monthly decline in July as a cyclospora outbreak discouraged consumers from eating leafy greens. Lower produce costs could modestly benefit margins, but lingering food-safety concerns may hurt restaurant traffic and customer confidence. Lettuce Prices See Record-Setting Plunge
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts cut earnings forecasts: Zacks Research reduced its estimates for Chipotle’s second-quarter 2027 EPS to $0.36 from $0.39, second-quarter 2028 EPS to $0.39 from $0.44, and fiscal 2028 EPS to $1.50 from $1.55. The firm maintains a “Hold” rating, signaling limited near-term conviction in the earnings outlook.
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive and consumer pressure: Investors are favoring established restaurant chains such as Cheesecake Factory over higher-growth concepts, while financially strained consumers remain a concern for Chipotle’s traffic and pricing power. Cheesecake Factory Is Crushing Chipotle

About Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle Mexican Grill is a fast-casual restaurant company known for its Mexican-inspired menu of burritos, bowls, tacos and salads. Founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, the chain emphasizes fresh, customizable meals made from a limited menu of core ingredients and a focus on ingredient quality. Chipotle operates primarily company-owned restaurants and offers dine-in, takeout, catering and delivery through its own digital platforms and third-party partners.

The company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, and traces its roots to Denver, Colorado.