KeyCorp Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) Stock Price

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) had its price objective reduced by research analysts at KeyCorp from $45.00 to $42.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “overweight” rating on the restaurant operator’s stock. KeyCorp’s target price would suggest a potential upside of 9.30% from the stock’s current price.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Monday, January 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $58.00 to $40.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $59.00 to $50.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $44.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, BTIG Research reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $45.00 price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating and thirteen have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $47.50.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CMG opened at $38.43 on Wednesday. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a one year low of $29.75 and a one year high of $59.09. The company has a market cap of $50.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.71, a PEG ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.99. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $38.98.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The restaurant operator reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.01. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 12.88% and a return on equity of 47.99%. The firm had revenue of $2.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.96 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.25 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill will post 1.29 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Chipotle Mexican Grill

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4.7% during the fourth quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,804 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $290,000 after buying an additional 214 shares during the last quarter. Bison Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 4th quarter worth about $224,000. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 26,460 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $1,329,000 after acquiring an additional 1,368 shares during the period. Ascent Group LLC raised its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 5,752 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $323,000 after acquiring an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Simplicity Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 2nd quarter valued at about $421,000. 91.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Chipotle Mexican Grill News

Here are the key news stories impacting Chipotle Mexican Grill this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat on the top and bottom lines: Chipotle reported $0.25 EPS vs. $0.24 consensus and $2.98B revenue (vs. ~$2.96B est.), showing marginal outperformance and preserved profitability despite traffic weakness. Chipotle Q4 Earnings & Revenues Surpass Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Some analysts remain constructive — Citigroup raised its price target to $49 (buy) and several firms kept buy/overweight ratings — signaling upside if execution improves. Analyst Price Target Moves (Benzinga)
• Positive Sentiment: Long‑term bull case: commentary from MarketBeat/Forbes/others highlights management’s 2026 playbook — heavier investment in tech, menu/back‑of‑house, accelerated new stores and international expansion — which could drive outsized upside over multiple years if traffic recovers. Is Chipotle’s 2026 Playbook the Secret Sauce for a Reversal?
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation pieces and comparisons (e.g., BJ’s Restaurants vs. Chipotle) debate whether CMG is a value pick now — the stock trades at a lower multiple than recent highs, making it a case‑by‑case value proposition for investors. BJRI or CMG: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?
• Neutral Sentiment: Influential voices (e.g., Jim Cramer) are publicly defending the name, which can temper downside if sentiment swings positive, but these views aren’t a substitute for concrete sales/traffic improvement. Jim Cramer on Chipotle
• Negative Sentiment: Weak 2026 guidance: management forecast flat comparable sales and noted continued declines in restaurant traffic (comp sales down ~2.5% in Q4), which is the primary driver of today’s weakness — cautious guidance increases execution risk and compresses near‑term multiple. Chipotle forecasts weak annual sales, margin pressure
• Negative Sentiment: Broad analyst pullback on near‑term outlook: multiple firms lowered price targets (Wells Fargo, Piper Sandler, KeyCorp, Barclays, Mizuho, Stifel, Telsey, etc.), reflecting trimmed growth/margin assumptions and pressuring investor sentiment. Chipotle Analysts Slash Their Forecasts
• Negative Sentiment: Macro/consumer risk: coverage highlights weaker dining traffic and cost pressures that could keep margins under pressure until customer frequency stabilizes, making near‑term earnings upside uncertain. CMG Earnings: Stock Falls on Weak Guidance

About Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle Mexican Grill is a fast-casual restaurant company known for its Mexican-inspired menu of burritos, bowls, tacos and salads. Founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, the chain emphasizes fresh, customizable meals made from a limited menu of core ingredients and a focus on ingredient quality. Chipotle operates primarily company-owned restaurants and offers dine-in, takeout, catering and delivery through its own digital platforms and third-party partners.

The company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, and traces its roots to Denver, Colorado.