On Tuesday, Truist Securities maintained its Buy rating on Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN) shares, keeping the price target steady at $21.00. The firm's analysis suggests a potential shortfall in Wendy's second-quarter performance for 2024.
According to Truist's adjusted estimates based on card data, Wendy's third-quarter U.S. system sales are projected at $3.15 billion, which is slightly below the consensus of a 1.7% increase in same-store sales (SSS). These figures are in line with Truist's revised expectations of a 0.5% rise in SSS, a decrease from the previously estimated 0.9%.
The year-over-year sales growth for Wendy's appeared to remain consistent from July to August but showed a deceleration of approximately 100 basis points in September. This slowdown is potentially attributed to tougher year-over-year comparisons.
Despite a relatively low-key quarter in terms of promotions, with 'Saucy Nuggs' released on June 5, the launch of the 'Krabby Patty Kollab' (a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed promotion) on October 8 is anticipated to attract customers and boost traffic.
Truist has also adjusted its third-quarter EBITDA estimate for Wendy's to $135.1 million, down from the previous forecast of $135.9 million. This revised estimate falls short of the consensus expectation of $137.5 million. Despite the lowered EBITDA forecast and the potential for a quarterly miss, Truist holds its $21 price target and Buy rating on Wendy's stock.
In other recent news, Wendy's Company has experienced several significant developments. Loop Capital maintained its Buy rating on Wendy's shares, citing a same-store sales growth of approximately 2.0% in the third quarter, aligning with consensus estimates.
However, Evercore ISI adjusted its outlook on Wendy's, reducing the price target to $20.00 while maintaining an In Line rating. TD Cowen also held its rating steady, acknowledging potential for a fresh direction under new leadership appointments, including John Min as Chief Legal Officer and Mary Greenlee as Senior Vice President of U.S. Operations.
Wendy's second-quarter earnings report showed a 2.6% increase in system-wide sales and a 0.8% growth in same-restaurant sales, largely due to successful breakfast and late-night offerings. The company also reported a substantial 40% year-over-year surge in digital sales.
These developments come alongside Wendy's strategic expansion plans, with the company aiming to establish 250 to 300 new outlets in Ireland, Romania, and New Zealand by 2024. These are the recent developments shaping Wendy's performance and strategy.
InvestingPro Insights
While Truist Securities maintains a Buy rating on Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN) with a $21.00 price target, recent InvestingPro data offers additional context for investors. Wendy's current market capitalization stands at $3.94 billion, with a P/E ratio of 19.84, suggesting the stock is trading at a premium compared to some industry peers.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Wendy's has maintained dividend payments for 22 consecutive years and currently offers a significant dividend yield of 5.15%. This consistent dividend history could be attractive to income-focused investors, especially in light of the potential sales slowdown noted in Truist's analysis.
The company's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 was $2.2 billion, with a modest growth of 1.72%. This aligns with Truist's observations of consistent but decelerating sales growth. Wendy's operating income margin of 16.87% for the same period indicates the company maintains profitability despite challenging market conditions.
Investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis can access 11 additional InvestingPro Tips for Wendy's, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position.
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