Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Takes Position in The Wendy’s Company $WEN

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new position in shares of The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 93,735 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock, valued at approximately $781,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its stake in Wendy’s by 35.0% during the second quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 4,017 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 1,041 shares during the period. Earned Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Wendy’s by 10.8% in the 3rd quarter. Earned Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,814 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $108,000 after purchasing an additional 1,151 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corp raised its holdings in shares of Wendy’s by 8.4% in the 2nd quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 16,987 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $194,000 after buying an additional 1,310 shares in the last quarter. Brown Financial Advisors raised its holdings in shares of Wendy’s by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter. Brown Financial Advisors now owns 29,908 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $342,000 after buying an additional 1,339 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Nova Scotia lifted its position in shares of Wendy’s by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 40,993 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $375,000 after buying an additional 1,343 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.96% of the company’s stock.

Wendy’s Stock Down 0.7%

NASDAQ WEN opened at $6.90 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.38. The Wendy’s Company has a 52 week low of $6.67 and a 52 week high of $14.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 28.77, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a current ratio of 1.76. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $7.50 and a 200-day moving average of $8.26.

Wendy’s (NASDAQ:WEN) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 13th. The restaurant operator reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $439.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $537.11 million. Wendy’s had a return on equity of 145.93% and a net margin of 7.58%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.25 earnings per share. Wendy’s has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.560-0.600 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that The Wendy’s Company will post 0.99 EPS for the current year.

Wendy’s Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd were given a dividend of $0.14 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.1%. Wendy’s’s payout ratio is presently 65.88%.

Key Headlines Impacting Wendy’s

Here are the key news stories impacting Wendy’s this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Localized marketing lift: Wendy’s is running a Final Four “Tipoff Tailgate” in Indianapolis and handing out free chicken nuggets, fries and Frosty treats during downtown Final Four events — a short-term brand engagement push that can drive store traffic and sales in a high-visibility event. Wendy’s Final Four Tipoff Tailgate Experience hits Indianapolis streets for March Madness 2026
• Positive Sentiment: Insider and institutional buying: Recent filings show insider purchases (two small open‑market buys) and notable institutional increases by multiple large managers — a bullish signal of confidence from some insiders and allocators. Wendy’s Company Stock Short Interest Rises to 67.53%
• Neutral Sentiment: Menu product refresh: Wendy’s is overhauling its chicken sandwich recipe (spicy and other chicken sandwiches updated). Product improvements can lift LTO/comp sales over time but require successful execution and customer acceptance. Wendy’s is overhauling its chicken sandwich recipe
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed customer reaction: Coverage shows some fans upset by changes to the spicy chicken sandwich — short-term social media/headline noise that could temper initial sales enthusiasm until quality and demand data arrive. Wendy’s claims elevated an iconic sandwich — but some fans are in uproar
• Negative Sentiment: Heavy short interest: Short interest rose to ~67.5% of the float (mid‑March data), signaling large bearish positioning and possible added volatility/pressure on the stock; could amplify downside on weak catalysts but also raises squeeze risk. Wendy’s Company Stock Short Interest Rises to 67.53%
• Negative Sentiment: Localized operational/PR issue: A reported embezzlement at one Millersville franchise is a negative for local reputation and internal controls, though it appears isolated and unlikely to materially affect companywide results. Wendy’s employee embezzled thousands from Millersville location, police say

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on WEN. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “underweight” rating and issued a $7.00 target price on shares of Wendy’s in a report on Monday, February 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Wendy’s from $9.00 to $7.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Stephens cut their target price on shares of Wendy’s from $9.00 to $8.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Wendy’s in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on Wendy’s from $8.50 to $7.50 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $9.00.

Wendy’s Company Profile

The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN) operates as a global quick-service restaurant chain, best known for its square-shaped beef patties, fresh ingredient sourcing and signature Frosty dessert. The company’s menu features a variety of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, breakfast sandwiches, sides and beverages, designed to appeal to a broad customer base seeking both classic and contemporary fast-food options. Wendy’s has placed particular emphasis on product innovation, introducing limited-time offerings and revamped core menu items to maintain customer interest and respond to evolving dining trends.

Founded in 1969 by entrepreneur Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio, Wendy’s expanded rapidly through both company-owned and franchised outlets.