Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) Cut to Market Perform at Sanford C. Bernstein

Sanford C. Bernstein cut shares of Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note published on Monday morning, Marketbeat reports. Sanford C. Bernstein currently has $155.00 price target on the restaurant operator’s stock, down from their previous price target of $220.00.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. TD Cowen reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Wingstop in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on Wingstop from $225.00 to $200.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Wingstop from $255.00 to $238.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Citigroup cut their price target on Wingstop from $237.00 to $208.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Wingstop from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $241.81.

Wingstop Stock Up 1.9%

NASDAQ:WING opened at $123.86 on Monday. Wingstop has a twelve month low of $116.35 and a twelve month high of $345.81. The company has a fifty day moving average of $150.96 and a 200-day moving average of $184.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.81.

Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The restaurant operator reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $185.56 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $190.25 million. Wingstop had a net margin of 16.15% and a negative return on equity of 16.31%. Wingstop’s revenue was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.00 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Wingstop will post 4.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wingstop Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Saturday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $0.33 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This is a boost from Wingstop’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Wingstop’s payout ratio is presently 28.50%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Wingstop

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WING. Baird Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in Wingstop during the 1st quarter worth approximately $256,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its stake in shares of Wingstop by 2,770.6% in the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,952 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $440,000 after purchasing an additional 1,884 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wingstop by 5.6% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 92,439 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $20,852,000 after purchasing an additional 4,937 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Wingstop by 121.4% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 217 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sivia Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wingstop by 45.5% in the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,387 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $467,000 after purchasing an additional 434 shares in the last quarter.

Key Wingstop News

Here are the key news stories impacting Wingstop this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Flavor innovation and marketing could support sales. Wingstop is bringing back Carolina Gold and Jamaican Jerk nationwide, while adding Hot Honey Mustard Dip and Sprite Strawberry Rodeo. The company is also promoting the launch through its first “Delivery Cowboy” experience and a limited $0 delivery offer, giving the brand additional visibility and potential traffic drivers. Wingstop Flavor Rodeo press release
• Positive Sentiment: Chamoy and Tajín wings align Wingstop with a growing “swangy” flavor trend. Coverage of the Sweet Heat Chamoy and Tajín offering suggests Wingstop is using bold, sweet-and-spicy flavors to appeal to changing consumer tastes and reinforce its cultural relevance. The potential benefit is stronger engagement and repeat visits, although the direct financial impact is not yet quantified. Wingstop chamoy and Tajín wings article
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent earnings remain mixed. Wingstop beat quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $1.18 versus the $1.02 consensus, but revenue of $185.56 million fell short of the $190.25 million estimate. Revenue still increased 6.5% year over year, leaving investors focused on whether new menu launches can improve sales momentum.
• Negative Sentiment: Bernstein downgraded WING to Market Perform. The rating change signals reduced conviction in near-term outperformance and may pressure the stock by highlighting concerns about valuation, growth expectations, or restaurant-level trends. Wingstop rating downgrade article
• Negative Sentiment: Industry coverage portrays Wingstop as lagging some restaurant peers. Comparisons with stronger-performing Starbucks and Chipotle add to concerns about Wingstop’s recent operating performance and investor expectations. Restaurant industry performance article

About Wingstop

Wingstop Inc (NASDAQ: WING) is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in chicken wings and related menu items. Founded in 1994 in Garland, Texas, the company has built its brand around bold, chef-inspired wing flavors and a streamlined service model that caters to dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering orders.

The company’s core offerings include both bone-in and boneless chicken wings tossed in a variety of proprietary rubs and sauces, such as Original Hot, Lemon Pepper, and Mango Habanero.