Since the Zacks Rank first delivered Papa John's (PZZA Quick QuotePZZA - Free Report) as a Strong Sell in March when shares were trading above $60, the stock has been a dough-making machine -- primarily for the bears. 

 

Even a summer-fall rally from below $40 back up to $60 just provided another chance to sell, or short, as the stock has cratered back to $44 this month.

 

Despite that period of rising optimism, what has never changed is the deterioration in the profit outlook from analysts. And the most recent earnings miss only brought more estimate cuts with full-year 2019 EPS sliding from $1.68 to $1.54.

 

That slide represents only 4.5% earnings growth next year, after a 44% collapse in profitability this year.

 

Here's a great way to visualize this fundamental decline using the Zacks proprietary Price & Consensus chart which plots changes in annual earnings estimates against the stock price. Red and green arrows also highlight beats and misses...

 

 

What PZZA lovers want to see here is a turn back upwards in those 2019 estimates.

 

Until then, try a different pie. The Zacks Rank will let you know.

 

 

Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.

 

Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.