A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. . Shares have lost about 15.8% in that time frame, underperforming the market.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Buffalo Wild Wings Misses on Q2 Earnings & Revenues
Buffalo Wild Wings reported lower-than-expected second-quarter 2017 results. This bleak performance was mainly due to the increased costs of traditional chicken wings coupled with higher promotional activity, lower-than-expected same-store sales as well as greater labor and operating expenses.
Quarter Highlights
Adjusted earnings of $0.66 per share plunged 50.7% year over year and missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.01 by 34.7%.
Total revenue increased 2% to $500 million on the back of higher restaurant sales as well as franchise royalties and fees. However, revenues missed the consensus mark of $513 million by 2.5%.
Performance in Detail
During the quarter, company-owned restaurant sales increased 1.9% year over year to $475.7 million. The upside was driven by the opening of 26 additional Buffalo Wild Wings outlets.
Company-owned comps declined 1.2% comparing unfavorably with the comps decline of 0.5% in the last quarter. Notably, company-owned comps had declined 2.1% in the year-ago quarter.
Franchise royalties and fees increased 3.1% year over year to $24.3 million owing to 28 additional franchised restaurants. Comps declined 2.1% compared to the previous quarter’s growth of 0.6%. In the year-ago quarter Buffalo Wild Wings had registered comps decline of 2.6%.
Buffalo Wild Wings' cost of sales, as a percentage of restaurant sales, increased 240 basis points (bps) to 32.1%. This rise in cost was a result of a 5.7% year-over-year increase in traditional wing pricing coupled with a change in sales mix from promotional activity. Also, its cost of labor, as a percentage of restaurant sales, increased 40 bps to 32.4%.
Additionally, restaurant operating expenses, as a percentage of restaurant sales, were 15.7%. This reflects a 110 bps increase from the prior-year quarter owing to rise in repairs and maintenance costs, third-party delivery commissions and an increase in general liability expenses.
A Peek into the Third Quarter of 2017
Buffalo Wild Wings expects cost of sales to be approximately 31.5% of total revenue in third-quarter 2017, while G&A expenses are projected to be roughly $35 million. The company also anticipates cost savings to the tune of $7 million in the quarter as a result of reduced labor expenses.
Meanwhile, cost for traditional chicken wings for the first two months of third quarter remains elevated and is at an average of $2.13 per pound, reflecting an increase of 24% over the prior-year quarter.
Resultantly, management expects third-quarter EPS to be below $1.
Moreover, it plans to open two company-owned Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in the quarter, along with 11 more franchised locations. Also, remodeling of 17 additional units is anticipated to be completed in the third quarter.
2017 View Lowered
In fact, due to the disappointing second-quarter performance and expectations of softening traffic, Buffalo Wild Wings lowered its 2017 earnings outlook. It now anticipates adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $4.50 to $5.00 (earlier $5.45 to $5.90).
Furthermore, comps are projected to decline in the band of 1% to 2% (previously expected to grow 1%).
Going forward, Buffalo Wild Wings continues to foresee opening of approximately 15 company-owned Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in the U.S., along with 15 franchised Buffalo Wild Wings locations in the same region. It aims to launch 20 franchised Buffalo Wild Wing locations internationally and two company-owned as well as 10 to 13 franchised R Taco restaurants, as well.
In the meantime, the company continues to expect traditional chicken wing prices to rise in the range of 8% to 10%. It also anticipates incurring capital expenditure of approximately $100 million during the year, in-line with the previous expectation.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Following the release, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimate. There has been one revision lower for the current quarter.
VGM Scores
At this time, Buffalo Wild Wings' stock has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is doing a bit better on the momentum front with a A. However, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Zacks' style scores indicate that the company's stock is more suitable for momentum investors than value and growth investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock. The magnitude of this revision also indicates a downward shift. the stock has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). We are looking for a below average return from the stock in the next few months.
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Why Is Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) Down 15.8% Since the Last Earnings Report?
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. . Shares have lost about 15.8% in that time frame, underperforming the market.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Buffalo Wild Wings Misses on Q2 Earnings & Revenues
Buffalo Wild Wings reported lower-than-expected second-quarter 2017 results. This bleak performance was mainly due to the increased costs of traditional chicken wings coupled with higher promotional activity, lower-than-expected same-store sales as well as greater labor and operating expenses.
Quarter Highlights
Adjusted earnings of $0.66 per share plunged 50.7% year over year and missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.01 by 34.7%.
Total revenue increased 2% to $500 million on the back of higher restaurant sales as well as franchise royalties and fees. However, revenues missed the consensus mark of $513 million by 2.5%.
Performance in Detail
During the quarter, company-owned restaurant sales increased 1.9% year over year to $475.7 million. The upside was driven by the opening of 26 additional Buffalo Wild Wings outlets.
Company-owned comps declined 1.2% comparing unfavorably with the comps decline of 0.5% in the last quarter. Notably, company-owned comps had declined 2.1% in the year-ago quarter.
Franchise royalties and fees increased 3.1% year over year to $24.3 million owing to 28 additional franchised restaurants. Comps declined 2.1% compared to the previous quarter’s growth of 0.6%. In the year-ago quarter Buffalo Wild Wings had registered comps decline of 2.6%.
Buffalo Wild Wings' cost of sales, as a percentage of restaurant sales, increased 240 basis points (bps) to 32.1%. This rise in cost was a result of a 5.7% year-over-year increase in traditional wing pricing coupled with a change in sales mix from promotional activity. Also, its cost of labor, as a percentage of restaurant sales, increased 40 bps to 32.4%.
Additionally, restaurant operating expenses, as a percentage of restaurant sales, were 15.7%. This reflects a 110 bps increase from the prior-year quarter owing to rise in repairs and maintenance costs, third-party delivery commissions and an increase in general liability expenses.
A Peek into the Third Quarter of 2017
Buffalo Wild Wings expects cost of sales to be approximately 31.5% of total revenue in third-quarter 2017, while G&A expenses are projected to be roughly $35 million. The company also anticipates cost savings to the tune of $7 million in the quarter as a result of reduced labor expenses.
Meanwhile, cost for traditional chicken wings for the first two months of third quarter remains elevated and is at an average of $2.13 per pound, reflecting an increase of 24% over the prior-year quarter.
Resultantly, management expects third-quarter EPS to be below $1.
Moreover, it plans to open two company-owned Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in the quarter, along with 11 more franchised locations. Also, remodeling of 17 additional units is anticipated to be completed in the third quarter.
2017 View Lowered
In fact, due to the disappointing second-quarter performance and expectations of softening traffic, Buffalo Wild Wings lowered its 2017 earnings outlook. It now anticipates adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $4.50 to $5.00 (earlier $5.45 to $5.90).
Furthermore, comps are projected to decline in the band of 1% to 2% (previously expected to grow 1%).
Going forward, Buffalo Wild Wings continues to foresee opening of approximately 15 company-owned Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in the U.S., along with 15 franchised Buffalo Wild Wings locations in the same region. It aims to launch 20 franchised Buffalo Wild Wing locations internationally and two company-owned as well as 10 to 13 franchised R Taco restaurants, as well.
In the meantime, the company continues to expect traditional chicken wing prices to rise in the range of 8% to 10%. It also anticipates incurring capital expenditure of approximately $100 million during the year, in-line with the previous expectation.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Following the release, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimate. There has been one revision lower for the current quarter.
Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. Price and Consensus
Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. Price and Consensus | Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. Quote
VGM Scores
At this time, Buffalo Wild Wings' stock has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is doing a bit better on the momentum front with a A. However, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Zacks' style scores indicate that the company's stock is more suitable for momentum investors than value and growth investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock. The magnitude of this revision also indicates a downward shift. the stock has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). We are looking for a below average return from the stock in the next few months.