DineEquity (DIN) Q2 Earnings Top, Revenues Miss Estimates

DIN

DineEquity, Inc. (DIN - Free Report) operates full-service restaurants in the United States and in other countries around the globe. The company owns and operates two restaurant concepts, which includes Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar (Applebee's) – a bar and grill concept of the casual dining restaurant industry; and International House of Pancakes (IHOP), which primarily caters to the family dining segment.

The company has been focusing on brand innovation, menu improvement and breakfast inspired food offered throughout the day to boost comps at the IHOP segment. Moreover, remodeling efforts, increased focus on to-go sales, technological innovation and initiatives to improve guest satisfaction is likely to drive incremental traffic.

Meanwhile, renewed steps taken to revitalize the Applebee’s brand via increased focus on food and menu innovation, guest satisfaction and marketing bodes well. In addition, the company has begun stabilization work for its Applebee’s business and is working in collaboration with franchisee to improve the brand’s performance.

However, an increase in expenses related to sales initiatives, incremental investments in marketing programs and promotional activity to combat competition are weighing on margins. Meanwhile, the continuing choppy sales environment in the overall restaurant space might limit revenue growth.

Investors should note that the consensus estimate for DIN has been moving slightly downwards over the last 60 days. Nevertheless, DIN’s earnings performance has been mostly encouraging over the past few quarters with the trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise coming in at a positive 1.68%. However, revenues lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters.

DIN currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) but that could change following DineEquity’s earnings report which was just released. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:

Earnings: DIN beats on earnings. Our consensus earnings estimate called for earnings per share of $1.20, and the company reported earnings of $1.30 per share. Investors should note that these figures take out stock option expenses.

Revenues: DIN reported revenues of $155.2 million. This missed our consensus estimate of $156.4 million.

Key Stats to Note: Domestic system-wide comps at IHOP and Applebee's declined 2.6% and 6.2%, respectively, in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

Stock Price Impact: Inactive in pre-market trading.

Check back for our full write up on this DIN earnings report later!

One Simple Trading Idea

Since 1988, the Zacks system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +25% per year. With compounding, rebalancing, and exclusive of fees, it can turn thousands into millions of dollars.

This proven stock-picking system is grounded on a single big idea that can be fortune shaping and life changing. You can apply it to your portfolio starting today.

Learn more >>

Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.

This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.

Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>