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Chipotle (CMG) Q2 Earnings Lag Estimates, Digital Sales Solid

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Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG - Free Report) reported mixed second-quarter 2020 results, wherein earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate but revenues surpassed the same. The bottom line missed the consensus mark after beating the same in the 10 consecutive quarters. Meanwhile, the top line outpaced the consensus estimate for the seventh straight quarter. Following the results, the company’s shares declined 1.3% in after-hour trading session on Jul 22.

The company’s adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 51 cents. Moreover, the bottom line declined 90% from $3.99 reported in the year-ago quarter. The decline can primarily be attributed to dismal traffic and increased expenses.

Revenues & Comparable Restaurant Sales

Quarterly revenues of $1,364.7 million surpassed the consensus mark of $1,333 million but declined 4.8% year over year. The downside can primarily be attributed to dismal in-store traffic and sharp decline in comparable restaurant sales. However, it was partially offset by new restaurant openings and robust digital sales. In the quarter under review, Chipotle opened 37 new restaurants including three relocations and closed three, taking the total restaurant count to 2,669.

Digital sales grew 216.3% year over year to $829.3 million during second-quarter 2020. Digital sales represented 60.7% of sales during the quarter. The company has increased focus on digitalization due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is increasing digital awareness via advertising. Moreover, partnerships with Uber Eats and Grubhub are attracting new customers. The company has also expanded digital capabilities into Canada. Moreover, collaboration with all the major third-party delivery aggregators has increased orders. Although the company’s in-restaurant dining rooms are opening, its digital sales momentum remained strong in July with a mix of nearly 50%.

Comps in the second quarter decreased 9.8%, which includes a 1.9% headwind from closed restaurants. However, the company is witnessing improvement in monthly comparable sales. In April and May comparable sales were down 24.4% and 7%, respectively. In June, comparable sales increased 2%. The improvement continues in July, comparable restaurant sales are up 6.4% as month to date.

Costs, Operating Highlights & Net Income

Food, beverage and packaging costs, as a percentage of revenues, decreased 40 basis points (bps) to 33.3%. It was primarily owing to lower avocado costs, increase in menu price in late 2019, and to some extent, reduced waste, freight, and paper costs.

Restaurant-level operating margin of 12.2% declined from 20.2% in the year-ago quarter. The downside was primarily due to increase in expensed related to delivery sales, sales deleverage, and temporary investments due to change in business structure on account of the pandemic. Moreover, operating expenses were impacted by the free or discounted delivery in the quarter.

Adjusted net income in the reported quarter amounted to $11.4 million, compared with $112.9 million in the prior-year quarter.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Balance Sheet

The company had $934.6 million in cash, restricted cash, and short-term investments as of Jun 30, 2020. The company doesn’t have any debt. A strong balance sheet will help the company tide over the coronavirus-induced crisis.

Inventory totaled $24.2 million as of Jun 30, 2020, down from $26.1 million as of Dec 31, 2019. Goodwill, as a percentage of total assets, was 0.4% at the end of second-quarter 2020.

2020 Outlook

Given the volatility and uncertainty regarding the coronavirus impact, the company has withdrawn 2020 guidance.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Chipotle, which shares space with Papa John's International, Inc. (PZZA - Free Report) , currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the same space include Dine Brands Global, Inc. (DIN - Free Report) and Yum China Holdings, Inc. (YUMC - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Earnings in 2021 for Dine Brands are expected to soar 206.6%.

Yum China surpassed estimates in each the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 62.9%.

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