La vendita allo scoperto per Texas Roadhouse dà agli investitori un'idea del grado in cui gli investitori stanno scommettendo sul declino delle azioni di Texas Roadhouse. I dati relativi alle vendite allo scoperto vengono aggiornati ogni due settimane.

Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:TXRH) Azioni, Report sulle vendite allo scoperto

Texas Roadhouse

Texas Roadhouse Inc is a restaurant company operating predominately in the casual dining segment. The company's operating segment includes Texas Roadhouse; Bubba's 33 and others. It generates maximum revenue from the Texas Roadhouse segment.

Texas Roadhouse Inc

Texas Roadhouse's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NYSE">TXRH</a>) short percent of float has fallen 9.41% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 2.04 million shares sold short, which is 3.08% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.62 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Texas Roadhouse Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728585018_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Texas Roadhouse has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Texas Roadhouse's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Texas Roadhouse's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 11.10%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Trading Ideas

TXRH

Looking Into Texas Roadhouse's Recent Short Interest

Truist Securities analyst Jake Bartlett maintains Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $196 to $202.

News

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Truist Securities Maintains Buy on Texas Roadhouse, Raises Price Target to $202

Citigroup analyst Jon Tower maintains Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $192 to $201.

Citigroup Maintains Buy on Texas Roadhouse, Raises Price Target to $201

Guggenheim analyst Gregory Francfort maintains Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $190 to $195.

Guggenheim Maintains Buy on Texas Roadhouse, Raises Price Target to $195

In the preceding three months, 14 analysts have released ratings for Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>), presenting a wide array of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The table below provides a concise overview of recent ratings by analysts, offering insights into the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and drawing comparisons with the preceding months for a holistic perspective.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $183.93, a high estimate of $205.00, and a low estimate of $155.00. This current average has increased by 4.38% from the previous average price target of $176.21. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727204487_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
The standing of Texas Roadhouse among financial experts is revealed through an in-depth exploration of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Nick Setyan</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Ivankoe</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
<td>$184.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jim Salera</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$176.00</td>
<td>$170.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Saleh</td>
<td>BTIG</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>$175.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>David Palmer</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$195.00</td>
<td>$175.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Strelzik</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jake Bartlett</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$196.00</td>
<td>$185.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jon Tower</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$175.00</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nick Setyan</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sara Senatore</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$189.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Glass</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$162.00</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Mullen</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$193.00</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jake Bartlett</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$185.00</td>
<td>$183.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jake Bartlett</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$183.00</td>
<td>$181.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Texas Roadhouse. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analyzing trends, analysts offer qualitative evaluations, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Texas Roadhouse compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Texas Roadhouse's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Assessing these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators can provide a comprehensive overview of Texas Roadhouse's market position. Stay informed and make well-judged decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TXRH/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Texas Roadhouse analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>About Texas Roadhouse</h2>
Texas Roadhouse Inc is a restaurant company operating predominately in the casual dining segment. The company's operating segment includes Texas Roadhouse; Bubba's 33 and others. It generates maximum revenue from the Texas Roadhouse segment.
<h3>Financial Insights: Texas Roadhouse</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Positioned below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization faces constraints in size. This could be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Texas Roadhouse showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 14.51% as of 30 June, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Consumer Discretionary sector.
Net Margin: Texas Roadhouse's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 8.96% net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.
Return on Equity (ROE): Texas Roadhouse's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of 9.73%, the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health.
Return on Assets (ROA): Texas Roadhouse's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of 4.22%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: Texas Roadhouse's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 0.64.
<h2>Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

The Analyst Landscape: 14 Takes On Texas Roadhouse

Wedbush analyst Nick Setyan reiterates Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) with a Outperform and maintains $190 price target.

Reiteration

Wedbush Reiterates Outperform on Texas Roadhouse, Maintains $190 Price Target

WIIM

CAKE

WING

Shares of hotel, restaurant and leisure companies are trading higher following the Fed's rate cut, which could boost consumer spending.

Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wing#NASDAQ">WING</a>) is likely to benefit from unit expansion, franchise model and technological initiatives. The company&#39;s focus on enhancing shareholder value bodes well. However, a challenging macroeconomic environment and elevated costs are concerns.
<h2>Growth Catalysts for Wingstop Stock</h2>
Wingstop focuses on unit expansion to drive growth. Over the last 12 months, the company has opened more than 300 net new restaurants, demonstrating its ability to grow both domestically and internationally at a rapid pace. In the second quarter of 2024, WING opened 73 new restaurants. The company has revised its outlook for 2024, projecting the opening of between 285 and 300 new restaurants, up from the previous guidance of 275 to 295. These expansion efforts signal strong future revenue potential, as Wingstop continues to penetrate new markets and grow its global footprint.
Wingstop&#39;s franchise model continues to generate strong returns. The company&#39;s average unit volume has grown from $1.5 million (two years ago) to over $2 million. This growth is fueling record demand for new restaurants. Wingstop&#39;s franchisees are reporting unlevered cash-on-cash returns of over 70%, making it an attractive investment for current and potential brand partners.
Increased focus on digitalization bode well. During the second quarter, digital sales accounted for 68.3% of Wingstop&#39;s total sales, thereby showcasing strength in leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience. With over 45 million digital users, Wingstop is capitalizing on its proprietary MyWingstop platform to improve engagement and conversion rates through hyper-personalization. The company&#39;s investment in data-driven marketing and digital transformation is setting the stage for sustained long-term growth. As more transactions shift to digital platforms, Wingstop is well-positioned to capture a larger market share while enhancing operational efficiency.
Wingstop&#39;s focus on enhancing shareholder value is evident through its stock repurchase program and dividend policy. In the second quarter, the company repurchased 75,862 shares at an average price of $381.29. As of the end of the second quarter, WING reported $96.1 million remaining under the current repurchase authorization. Additionally, Wingstop increased its quarterly dividend by 23%, further underscoring its commitment to returning capital to shareholders. The combination of repurchase programs and dividend payouts makes it an attractive option for investors seeking both growth and income.
<h2>Concerns for WING Stock</h2>
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/96/77660.jpg?v=1080952064" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In the past three months, Wingstop&#39;s shares have lost 0.8% against the industry&#39;s 4.8% growth. The downside was driven by macroeconomic headwinds.
WING has been grappling with rising costs. Its selling, general and administrative (SG&amp;A) expenses have been rising significantly, increasing by $6 million year over year to a total of $28.1 million in the second quarter. While some of this increase can be attributed to long-term investments in digital platforms like MyWingstop, the rapid rise in short-term incentive compensation and stock-based compensation is concerning. With the company&#39;s total SG&amp;A expenses projected to reach up to $116 million by 2024-end, up from $111 million, cost control could become an issue. If growth stalls, Wingstop may find itself burdened by these escalating expenses.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
Wingstop&#39;s ability to open new restaurants at a record pace, combined with its high franchisee returns and increasing digital sales, underscores its long-term growth potential. Moreover, its focus on shareholder value through stock buybacks and dividend increases enhances its appeal for investors seeking both capital appreciation and income.
However, investors should be mindful of the challenges posed by rising operational costs and a challenging macroeconomic environment. As the company continues to invest heavily in technology and expansion, cost management will be crucial to sustaining profitability. The company&#39;s growth drivers and strategic initiatives make it a compelling stock to retain for now, as it navigates the headwinds and capitalizes on future opportunities.
<h2>Zacks Rank &amp; Key Picks</h2>
Wingstop currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector include Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/txrh#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>), Potbelly Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pbpb#NASDAQ">PBPB</a>) and El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/loco#NASDAQ">LOCO</a>), each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Texas Roadhouse has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 0.4%, on average. TXRH shares have gained 58.7% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TXRH&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS indicates 15.6% and 39.2% growth, respectively, from the year-earlier actuals.
Potbelly Corporation has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 77.5%, on average. The stock has dropped 3.6% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PBPB&#39;s fiscal 2024 EPS implies 33.3% growth on 6.5% lower revenues from the year-ago levels.
El Pollo Loco Holdings has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.6%, on average. LOCO shares have gained 44.3% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LOCO&#39;s fiscal 2024 sales and EPS indicates 2% and 12.7% growth, respectively, from the prior-year figures.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2335921/here-s-why-you-should-retain-wingstop-stock-in-your-portfolio-now?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2335921">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Earnings

Large Cap

Guidance

Dividends

Retail Sales

Buybacks

Restaurants

Small Cap

Markets

General

LOCO

PBPB

Here's Why You Should Retain Wingstop Stock in Your Portfolio Now

Dine Brands Global, Inc.&#39;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/din#NYSE">DIN</a>) affiliate, Dine Brands International, expands its global presence with new deals and the launch of its first dual-branded Applebee&#39;s and IHOP restaurant in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The company has entered into a multi-unit development agreement with franchisee BLT Global Brands to open the first restaurant on Sept. 16, 2024.
The strategic expansion marks a key development in Dine Brands&#39; international growth efforts. The new dual-branded restaurant in Honduras features both IHOP and Applebee&#39;s, designed to streamline operations and improve efficiency for franchisees. Dine Brands aims to enhance its market presence and drive further growth in the global restaurant industry with this concept.
The company is leveraging IHOP&#39;s morning popularity and Applebee&#39;s evening appeal to connect with and attract new guests worldwide. This strategy is aimed at offering consistent dining experiences throughout the day. The performance and returns of the dual-branded restaurants have improved, indicating the effectiveness of this approach.
The total number of international dual-branded restaurants is expected to reach 13, including the new outlet, and spread across seven markets &mdash; Mexico, Canada, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Peru and Honduras.
Dine Brands, the parent company of Applebee&#39;s, IHOP and Fuzzy&#39;s Taco Shop, has also secured agreements to develop at least 21 new restaurants, including 13 dual-branded ones. These new sites will consist of both conversions of existing single-branded locations and new openings in various channels, such as airports and travel centers.
DIN is looking for Master Franchisees and Developers in specific regions &mdash; South Korea and Japan in Asia, Spain in Europe, Brazil, and select areas in Mexico and Canada &mdash; to strengthen its presence in these key markets.
<h2>DIN&#39;s YTD Price Performance</h2>
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/88/77169.jpg?v=949656018" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Year to date, the company&#39;s shares have lost 41.4% compared with the industry&#39;s 1.3% decline. Although the company&#39;s shares have underperformed the industry in the said period, it is likely to benefit from expansion efforts in the days ahead. DIN is optimistic on the back of its new approach to marketing, the launch of a loyalty program, technological developments and virtual brands.
<h2>DIN&#39;s Zacks Rank &amp; Key Picks</h2>
Currently, Dine Brands carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
Some better-ranked stocks from the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector are:
Abercrombie &amp; Fitch Co. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/anf#NYSE">ANF</a>) flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 28%, on average. Shares of ANF have surged 149.6% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ANF&#39;s fiscal 2024 sales and earnings per share indicates an increase of 12.6% and 61%, respectively, from the year-ago period&#39;s levels.
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/txrh#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). TXRH has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 0.4%, on average. Shares of TXRH have risen 60.5% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TXRH&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS indicates a rise of 15.6% and 39.2%, respectively, from the year-ago period&#39;s levels.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/loco#NASDAQ">LOCO</a>) carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.6%, on average. Shares of LOCO have risen 40.5% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LOCO&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS indicates 2% and 12.7% growth, respectively, from the year-ago period&#39;s levels.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2334052/din-expands-global-reach-with-new-dual-branded-restaurant?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|company_news_corporate_actions-2334052">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Mid Cap

Events

DIN Expands Global Reach With New Dual-Branded Restaurant

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Consumer Discretionary sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TSLA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/06/24</td>
<td>$217.50</td>
<td>$30.0K</td>
<td>5.9K</td>
<td>70.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMZN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/13/24</td>
<td>$172.50</td>
<td>$51.7K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BABA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$82.50</td>
<td>$33.0K</td>
<td>6.8K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$79.0K</td>
<td>2.8K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RIVN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$13.00</td>
<td>$27.9K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>391</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VFS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$4.00</td>
<td>$39.2K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td>300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>H</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/20/24</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$30.9K</td>
<td>429</td>
<td>265</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ETSY</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$28.8K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td>250</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ANF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/11/24</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$35.0K</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>201</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TXRH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
<td>$28.3K</td>
<td>222</td>
<td>127</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• For TSLA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, is expiring today. Parties traded 400 contract(s) at a $217.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 14 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $30.0K, with a price of $75.0 per contract. There were 5943 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 70293 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AMZN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 7 day(s) on September 13, 2024. This event was a transfer of 150 contract(s) at a $172.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $51.7K, with a price of $345.0 per contract. There were 1106 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2412 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding BABA (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 42 day(s) on October 18, 2024. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $82.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $33.0K, with a price of $330.0 per contract. There were 6837 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1472 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For PDD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 133 day(s) on January 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 61 contract(s) at a $90.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 20 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $79.0K, with a price of $1296.0 per contract. There were 2823 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1233 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding RIVN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 14 day(s) on September 20, 2024. Parties traded 300 contract(s) at a $13.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 17 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.9K, with a price of $93.0 per contract. There were 1528 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 391 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding VFS (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VFS#NASDAQ">VFS</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 133 day(s) on January 17, 2025. Parties traded 250 contract(s) at a $4.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $39.2K, with a price of $157.0 per contract. There were 1391 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 300 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding H (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/H#NYSE">H</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 14 day(s) on September 20, 2024. Parties traded 206 contract(s) at a $140.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 27 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $30.9K, with a price of $150.0 per contract. There were 429 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 265 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ETSY (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETSY#NASDAQ">ETSY</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be neutral, expiring in 287 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 103 contract(s) at a $40.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.8K, with a price of $280.0 per contract. There were 1366 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 250 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ANF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANF#NYSE">ANF</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 35 day(s) on October 11, 2024. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $145.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.0K, with a price of $352.0 per contract. There were 15 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 201 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For TXRH (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 70 day(s) on November 15, 2024. This event was a transfer of 109 contract(s) at a $180.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 20 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $28.3K, with a price of $260.0 per contract. There were 222 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 127 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

AMZN

BABA

ETSY

Citigourp Global Markets 2% Protected Notes Linked To The Djia

RIVN

TSLA

10 Consumer Discretionary Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Jack in the Box Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jack#NASDAQ">JACK</a>) is likely to benefit from menu innovation, digital efforts and unit expansion efforts. Also, the focus on the re-image program bodes well. However, dismal comps and elevated labor costs are concerns.
Let us discuss the factors that highlight why investors should retain the stock for now.
<h2>Growth Catalysts of JACK</h2>
Menu Innovation: Jack in the Box has adopted a dual approach to cater to both current market conditions and long-term goals. To attract value-oriented customers, the company has launched several initiatives, including the &quot;Munchies Under $4&quot; platform and &quot;Jack&#39;s Big Deal Meal.&quot; These offerings are designed to increase transactions and enhance menu consistency across the system. The company&#39;s differentiated menu, featuring value offers like $5 meals, $10 Fan Favs Boxes and late-night Munchie Meals, positions it to meet diverse customer needs.
The brand&#39;s innovation efforts, such as introducing wings, Smash Jack burgers and French Toast Sticks as a permanent breakfast option, are paying off. These products have been well-received, indicating that Jack in the Box is effectively responding to evolving consumer preferences.
Digital Efforts: Increased focus on digital initiatives bodes well. The company aims to increase digital sales from 14% to 20% by enhancing its first-party capabilities. It intends to launch a redesigned Jack app, enabling personalization and targeted loyalty offerings. Moreover, Jack in the Box is upgrading its point-of-sale system, with nearly 100 restaurants already equipped and a target of 450 by the end of 2024. This system will enhance its customer experience and enable operational innovations, such as better inventory and labor management.
Expansion Into New Markets: Jack in the Box is making significant strides in market expansion. The company recently opened its second restaurant in Mexico, with new locations in Salt Lake City and Louisville performing exceptionally well. Plans are underway to enter the Chicago market with up to 10 new locations in 2025 and expand into Florida. The new market entries present substantial growth opportunities for the brand.
Additionally, the company&#39;s re-image program, supported by a $50 million commitment, is expected to boost same-store sales and improve brand perception. With requests to remodel more than 1,000 restaurants, this initiative could drive significant growth in the coming years.
<h2>Concerns for Jack in the Box</h2>
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/4e/76261.jpg?v=567185555" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In the past year, Jack in the Box&#39;s shares have lost 39.9% against the industry&#39;s 2.6% growth. Dismal comp and elevated labor expenses caused the downside.
Soft Comps: In the fiscal third quarter, systemwide same-store sales fell 2.2% year over year against the 7.9% growth reported in the year-ago quarter. Reduced transactions and an unfavorable mix shift caused the downside. Same-store sales at franchised stores declined 2.4% year over year against the growth of 8% reported in the prior-year quarter. The company remains cautious of the uncertain macroenvironment.
High Expenses: The company has been bearing the brunt of high expenses for some time. In third-quarter fiscal 2024, the restaurant level margin contracted 80 basis points (bps) year over year to 21%, due to increased labor, utilities and technology support costs. Labor (as a percentage of sales) in the reporting quarter increased 200 bps year over year to 32.4%. The increase was driven by wage increases to comply with California&#39;s new minimum wage law.
Occupancy and other operating expenses rose 60 bps year over year to 19.4%, driven by higher utility and technological costs. The company anticipates the inflationary pressures to continue for some time.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
While Jack in the Box faces challenges such as declining same-store sales and rising labor costs, its strategic initiatives in menu innovation, digital transformation and market expansion offer significant growth potential. The company&#39;s commitment to enhancing its brand through re-imaging efforts and targeting new markets positions JACK well for long-term success. Although the short-term outlook is clouded by economic uncertainties, the ongoing investments in customer experience and operational efficiencies make Jack in the Box a stock worth retaining in your portfolio.
<h2>Zacks Rank &amp; Key Picks</h2>
Jack in the Box currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector include:
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/txrh#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 0.4%, on average. TXRH&#39;s shares have risen 61.1% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TXRH&#39;s 2024 sales and earnings per share indicates 15.6% and 39.2% growth, respectively, from the year-earlier actuals.
Potbelly Corporation&nbsp;currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 77.5%, on average. The stock has declined 23.5% so far this year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PBPB&#39;s 2025 sales and EPS implies a rise of 4.2% and 30%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/loco#NASDAQ">LOCO</a>) presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.6%, on average. LOCO&#39;s shares have risen 44.5% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LOCO&#39;s 2025 sales and EPS indicates 2% and 12.7% growth, respectively, from the prior-year figures.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2330444/here-s-why-you-should-retain-jack-stock-in-your-portfolio?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2330444">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Offerings

JACK

Here's Why You Should Retain JACK Stock in Your Portfolio

Papa John&#39;s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pzza#NASDAQ">PZZA</a>) will likely benefit from digital initiatives, menu innovation and unit-expansion efforts. This and the emphasis on strategic refranchising bode well. However, a challenging macro environment and soft comps are a headwind.
Let&#39;s delve deeper.
<h2>Strategic Efforts Aid PZZA&#39;s Prospects</h2>
Innovation and Digital Enhancements: Innovation remains key to Papa John&#39;s strategy. The company is expanding its pipeline of differentiated menu offerings, designed to boost customer satisfaction and enhance brand loyalty. Investments in digital platforms are expected to drive higher conversion rates and repeat transactions. The recent app update and improvements in the loyalty program are already showing promising results, with enhanced user experience and streamlined customer journeys.
Improving PZZA&#39;s Value Perception: Papa John&#39;s is realigning its marketing and product offerings to better cater to value-conscious consumers. Initiatives such as the launch of the $9.99 cheeseburger pizza and the $10.99 extra-large New York-style pizza have begun to improve the brand&#39;s value perception. It is also testing various value offers in certain markets to identify opportunities that are likely to drive growth in restaurant-level profits.
International Growth and Transformation: On the international front, the company is making significant strides in optimizing its operations, particularly in the U.K. It closed 43 underperforming restaurants and refranchised 60, leaving 13 company-owned locations in the U.K. This strategic refranchising is expected to make the U.K. market profitable in the second half of 2024. It is executing a global marketing campaign, &lsquo;Better Get You Some,&#39; which already started to yield positive results across various regional hubs.
<h2>PZZA Headwinds: Dismal Price &amp; Comps Performance</h2>
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/6c/75539.jpg?v=1748170985" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stock Performance: Year to date, shares of Papa John&#39;s have declined 36.3% against the industry&#39;s rise of 0.2%. Softer sales trends driven by macroeconomic pressures and shifts in consumer spending primarily caused the downside.
Dismal Comps Hurt Papa John&#39;s: In the second quarter, total comparable sales declined 2.7% year over year compared with a 1.3% fall reported in the prior-year quarter. Domestic company-owned restaurant comps in the quarter fell 4.2% year over year compared with 2.2% growth reported in the year-ago quarter. At North America franchised restaurants, comps fell 3.4% year over year against a 2.3% decline reported in the year-ago quarter. Comps growth at North America restaurants declined 3.6% year over year. The downside was primarily caused by lower transactions attributable to a decline in its organic delivery and a lower estimated year-over-year shift in channel mix.
PZZA anticipates the trend to continue on account of ongoing economic challenges and weakening consumer confidence. The company adjusted its full-year guidance to reflect this cautious outlook, anticipating North America&#39;s comparable sales to range from flat to a slight decline for the entirety of 2024.
<h2>Time to Keep an Eye on PZZA Stock?</h2>
Despite near-term challenges, Papa John&#39;s is strategically positioning itself for long-term success. Its focus on enhancing value perception, driving innovation, optimizing digital channels and improving international operations provides a solid foundation for growth. Investors should consider retaining PZZA stock as the company navigates this transitional phase. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) justifies our thesis.
<h2>Key Picks</h2>
Some better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector include:
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/txrh#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 0.4%, on average. TXRH&#39;s shares have risen 62.3% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TXRH&#39;s 2024 sales and earnings per share indicates 15.6% and 39.2% growth, respectively, from the year-earlier actuals.
Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wing#NASDAQ">WING</a>) carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). It has a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 21.8%, on average. The stock has surged 148.2% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WING&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS suggests a rise of 36% and 51.2%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/loco#NASDAQ">LOCO</a>) carries a Zacks Rank #2. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.6%, on average. LOCO&#39;s shares have risen 42.6% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LOCO&#39;s 2025 sales and EPS indicates 2% and 12.7% growth, respectively, from the prior-year figures.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2327807/here-s-why-you-should-retain-papa-john-s-stock-in-your-portfolio?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2327807">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

PZZA

Here's Why You Should Retain Papa John's Stock in Your Portfolio

Brinker International (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eat#NYSE">EAT</a>)&nbsp;shares were down over -14% this morning after posting mixed results for its fiscal fourth quarter. Still, Brinker&#39;s stock is sitting on +60% gains this year as the operator of Chili&#39;s Bar &amp; Grill and Maggiano&#39;s Little Italy.
Considering its stellar year-to-date performance, investors may be wondering if the post-earnings dip is a buying opportunity. To that point, Brinker has vastly outperformed the broader indexes and the Zacks Retail-Restaurants Market including two of its top industry peers in El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/loco#NASDAQ">LOCO</a>)&nbsp;and Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/txrh#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>).
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/c7/74374.jpg?v=808599219" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Brinker&#39;s Q4 Results
Brinker&#39;s Q4 sales came in at $1.2 billion, rising 12% year over year and surpassing estimates of $1.15 billion by 4%. However, Q4 EPS of $1.61 missed expectations of $1.65 per share by -2% despite spiking 15% from the comparative quarter. Brinker had previously exceeded earnings expectations for seven consecutive quarters and has posted an astonishing average EPS surprise of 211.01% in last four quarterly reports.
Increased menu pricing at Chili&#39;s was a key driver to Brinker&#39;s performance with the company stating it continued to outperform the industry in both sales and traffic. Overall, Brinker&#39;s total sales increased 7% in fiscal 2024 to $4.41 billion with EPS soaring 45% to $4.10 compared to $2.83 per share in FY23.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/3e/74365.jpg?v=821203399" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Favorable Guidance&nbsp;
Going into FY25, Brinker expects total sales to be in the range of $4.55-$4.62 billion which came in above the current Zacks Consensus of $4.51 billion or 3% growth. Brinker guided EPS in the range of $4.35-$4.75 with the high end of its target falling in line with estimates of $4.73 per share or 13% growth.
Brinker&#39;s Attractive Valuation
Trading around $60, Brinker&#39;s stock is at a 14.8X forward earnings multiple which is an attractive discount to the S&amp;P 500&quot;s 22.9X. Furthermore, EAT trades well below its Zacks Retail-Restaurants Industry average of 25X forward earnings with Texas Roadhouse at 26.9X and El Pollo Loco at 15.7X.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/7e/74366.jpg?v=57111082" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Takeaway
For now, Brinker&#39;s stock sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The post-earnings dip may very well be a buying opportunity given Brinker&#39;s attractive valuation and compelling growth. That said, retaining this strong buy rating will likely depend on the trend of earnings estimate revisions in the coming weeks following its Q4 report.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2322298/time-to-buy-the-selloff-in-brinker-international-s-eat-stock-after-earnings?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-stocks_in_the_news-2322298">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Time to Buy the Selloff in Brinker International's Stock After Earnings?

Bloomin&#39; Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/blmn#NASDAQ">BLMN</a>) is the parent company of a diverse group of restaurants, including Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba&#39;s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming&#39;s Prime Steakhouse &amp; Wine Bar. I&#39;ll comment on the relevance of that later, but right now, growth is slowing to a crawl, and inflation is taking a bite out of the company&#39;s earnings. &nbsp;
That&#39;s the takeaway from the company&#39;s second-quarter earnings report released on August 6, 2024. The company delivered revenue of $1.12 billion, which was only a slight miss from the $1.13 billion that analysts expected and down a bit more from the $1.15 billion reported in the same quarter in 2023.&nbsp;
The drop in earnings was more pronounced. The 51 cents earnings per share (EPS) missed analysts&#39; expectations by 12%, and the loss was an even more significant 31% drop year-over-year. Additionally, the company&#39;s adjusted operating margin of 5.7% was down from the prior quarter&#39;s 7.8%. The same trend was in place with the restaurant-level operating margin, which fell to 14.3% from 16.4%. &nbsp;
The company competes in the consumer discretionary stocks sector with rivals such as Texas Roadhouse Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/txrh#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) and Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dri#NYSE">DRI</a>). Bloomin&#39; Brands was the last to report earnings; its results were the weakest of the three companies. &nbsp;
At a time when investors and traders are particularly sensitive to any bad news, the report was bound to send BLMN stock lower. As of yesterday&#39;s midday trading, it is down 7%.
<h2>BLMN&#39;s Guidance Was Lower As Well&nbsp;</h2>
It&#39;s important not to get carried away by the headline numbers in an earnings report. They are always backward-looking. However, it&#39;s worth noting that the company lowered both its revenue and earnings outlooks significantly from the prior report. &nbsp;
It&#39;s not surprising to hear that Bloomin&#39; Brands is under pressure. Anecdotal evidence in some markets aside, consumers are pulling back. And that is coming at a time when restaurants continue to deal with wage pressures and other higher input costs.&nbsp;
However, Bloomin&#39; Brands is now projecting comparable restaurant sales to be down 2% to flat. Its full-year EPS outlook is between $2.10 and $2.30, down from $2.51 to $2.66. That range suggests that more than 50% of the company&#39;s earnings are already in for the year. &nbsp;
<h2>Could a Rate Cut Make a Difference for Bloomin&#39; Brands?</h2>
What may be keeping analysts interested in BLMN stock is the Federal Reserve&#39;s near guarantee of a rate cut in September. The company operates a diverse model that appeals to consumers of all income levels, giving each chain a different value proposition. It doesn&#39;t need all consumers to return, just some, particularly in its higher-end markets. &nbsp;
However, economists are warning that even an aggressive Federal Reserve rate-cut campaign is likely not to make a short-term difference, as rate cuts, like rate hikes, take time to work their way through the economy. &nbsp;
That makes it difficult to see a rate cut as a reason to buy BLMN stock, which is trading near its 52-week low. However, heading into the report, analysts had still been bullish on the company. The Bloomin&#39; Brands analysts&#39; forecasts on MarketBeat gave the stock a consensus price target of $26.56, which would be a 56% gain. &nbsp;
Investors should note that it took BLMN stock nearly two years to gain that much from its 2022 low. But if you believe an uptrend is ready to happen, then buying a stock with a 5.64% dividend yield may be a bargain. &nbsp;
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/are-lower-interest-rates-right-bet-bloomin-brands-stock">Are Lower Interest Rates the Right Bet on Bloomin&#39; Brands Stock? </a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

Federal Reserve

BLMN

Are Lower Interest Rates the Right Bet on Bloomin' Brands Stock?

ABNB

ARKR

DENN

KRUS

MODG

NCLH

PENN

SBUX

SPGC

STKS

WYNN

Shares of hotel, restaurant and leisure companies are trading lower amid overall market weakness on US economic concerns.

SHAK

Shares of hotel, restaurant and leisure companies are trading lower amid overall market weakness following weak US data.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sbux#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) reported third-quarter fiscal 2024 results, wherein earnings met the Zacks Consensus Estimate but revenues missed the same.
Despite reporting not-so-impressive results, the company&#39;s shares rose 3.6% in the after-hours trading session on Jul 30. Investor sentiment regarding SBUX received a boost after its CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, said that the company&#39;s three-part action plan is starting to show positive results, leading to operational improvements that should boost financial performance.
Narasimhan also highlighted that the company&#39;s increasingly innovative and persistent approach is strengthening its abilities and steering SBUX back toward sustainable growth.
<h3>Discussion on Earnings, Revenues &amp; Comps</h3>
In the fiscal third quarter, the company reported adjusted earnings per share of 93 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line decreased 7% year over year from $1.00.
Quarterly revenues of $9,113.9 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9,224 million. The top line declined 0.6% on a year-over-year basis, due to dismal international revenues.
Global comparable store sales declined 3% year over year. The downside was backed by a decrease of 5% in comparable transactions, partially overshadowed by a 2% increase in average tickets.
In the fiscal third quarter, Starbucks opened 526 net new stores worldwide, bringing the total store count to 39,477.
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>Starbucks Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise</h3>
<h3><img alt="Starbucks Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/51/1722428825.png" style="height:265px; width:576px" title="" /></h3>
Starbucks Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Starbucks Corporation Quote
</div>
<h3>Overall Margin Contracts in Q3</h3>
On a non-GAAP basis, the operating margin was 16.7%, which contracted 70 basis points (bps) from the prior-year quarter&#39;s level. The decrease was caused by several factors, including increased costs due to investments in employee wages and benefits and intensified promotional efforts. However, some of these losses were mitigated by pricing adjustments and improved operational efficiencies in stores.
<h3>Segmental Details</h3>
Starbucks has three reportable operating segments &mdash; North America, International and Channel Development.
North America: In the fiscal third quarter, segmental net revenues were $6.8 billion, up 1% year over year. The segment&#39;s comparable store sales declined 2% against 7% growth in the prior-year quarter. Average transactions declined 6%, whereas change in tickets rose 3% year over year.
Operating margin was 21% compared with 21.7% in the prior-year quarter. The negative impact stemmed from a combination of deleverage, additional investments in store partner compensation and benefits, heightened promotional efforts.
International: Segmental net revenues of $1.84 billion declined 7% year over year. The segment&#39;s comparable store sales declined 7% year over year, owing to 3% and 4% decline in transactions and ticket, respectively.
Operating margin contracted 340 bps year over year to 15.6%. The downside was due to investments in store partner wages, benefits and promotional activities and strategic investments.
In the fiscal third quarter, comps in China dropped 14% year over year, against&nbsp; growth of 46% in the prior-year quarter. A 7% decline in transactions and tickets each hurt the company&#39;s performance in China.
Channel Development: Net revenues in the segment fell 2% year over year to $438.3 million. The dismal performance was due to a decline in revenues in the Global Coffee Alliance.
In the quarter, the segment&#39;s operating margin expanded 740 bps year over year to 53.7%. This was attributed to a change in the sales mix, reduced product costs from the Global Coffee Alliance and strong income from our North American Coffee Partnership joint venture.
<h3>Financial Details</h3>
The company ended the fiscal third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $3.2 billion compared with $3.6 billion as of Oct 1, 2023. In Jun 30, long-term debt totaled $15.6 billion compared with $13.5 billion as of Oct 1, 2023.
Meanwhile, management declared a quarterly cash dividend of 57 cents per share. The dividend is payable on Aug 30 to its shareholders of record as of Aug 17.
<h3>Other Updates</h3>
The Starbucks Rewards loyalty program&#39;s 90-day active members in the United States increased to 33.8 million, up 7% year over year.
<h3>2024 Guidance</h3>
The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2024 guidance. In fiscal 2024, the company continues to anticipate global revenue growth of low single digits. Full-year global and the U.S. comp growth is forecast to be in the range of low single-digit decline to flat. The company anticipates China&#39;s comp to decline 12% year over year.
Management forecasts global net store growth to be 6%. In fiscal 2024, GAAP and non-GAAP EPS earnings per share are expected to improve in the range of flat to low single digits.
<h3>Zacks Rank &amp; Key Picks</h3>
Starbucks currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Retail &ndash; Restaurants industry are:
Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eat#NYSE">EAT</a>) flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present.
It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 213.4%, on average. EAT&#39;s shares have surged 74.3% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EAT&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS indicates 5.5% and 46.6% growth, respectively, from year-earlier actuals.
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/txrh#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. TXRH has a long-term earnings growth rate of 17.5%. Shares of TXRH have gained 57.3% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TXRH&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS indicates a rise of 15.6% and 39.7%, respectively, from the year-ago period&#39;s levels.
The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cake#NASDAQ">CAKE</a>) flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 at present. CAKE has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.4%, on average. The stock has risen 8.1% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CAKE&#39;s 2024 sales and EPS implies growth of 4.8% and 17.8%, respectively, from the year-ago period&#39;s level.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2313188/starbucks-sbux-q3-earnings-meet-estimates-revenues-lag?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|earnings_article-2313188">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Starbucks' Q3 Earnings Meet Estimates, Revenues Lag

Designed to provide broad exposure to the Small Cap Growth segment of the US equity market, the iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (ARCA:ISCG) is a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on 06/28/2004.
The fund is sponsored by Blackrock (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/blk#NYSE">BLK</a>). It has amassed assets over $583.77 million, making it one of the average sized ETFs attempting to match the Small Cap Growth segment of the US equity market.
<h2>Why Small Cap Growth</h2>
With more potential comes more risk, and small cap companies, with market capitalization below $2 billion, epitomizes this way of thinking.
Growth stocks have higher than average sales and earnings growth rates. While these are expected to grow faster than the broader market, they also have higher valuations. Also, growth stocks are a type of equity that carries more risk compared to others. When you consider growth versus value, growth stocks are usually the clear winner in strong bull markets but tend to fall flat in nearly all other environments.
<h2>Costs</h2>
Cost is an important factor in selecting the right ETF, and cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive counterparts if all other fundamentals are the same.
Annual operating expenses for this ETF are 0.06%, making it the least expensive products in the space.
It has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.63%.
<h2>Sector Exposure and Top Holdings</h2>
While ETFs offer diversified exposure, which minimizes single stock risk, a deep look into a fund&#39;s holdings is a valuable exercise. And, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis.
This ETF has heaviest allocation to the Industrials sector--about 23.10% of the portfolio. Healthcare and Information Technology round out the top three.
Looking at individual holdings, Microstrategy Inc Class A&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mstr#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) accounts for about 1.09% of total assets, followed by Natera Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ntra#NASDAQ">NTRA</a>) and Texas Roadhouse Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/txrh#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>).
The top 10 holdings account for about 5.93% of total assets under management.
<h2>Performance and Risk</h2>
ISCG seeks to match the performance of the MORNINGSTAR US SML CP BRD GRWTH EXTD ID before fees and expenses. The Morningstar US Small Cap Broad Growth Extended Index comprises of small-capitalization U.S. equities that exhibit growth characteristics.
The ETF has gained about 9.02% so far this year and is up about 12.33% in the last one year (as of 07/31/2024). In the past 52-week period, it has traded between $35.43 and $48.99.
The ETF has a beta of 1.08 and standard deviation of 23.73% for the trailing three-year period. With about 1000 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk.
<h2>Alternatives</h2>
IShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), which is based on expected asset class return, expense ratio, and momentum, among other factors. Because of this, ISCG is a great option for investors seeking exposure to the Style Box - Small Cap Growth segment of the market. There are other additional ETFs in the space that investors could consider as well.
The iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (ARCA:IWO) and the Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (ARCA:VBK) track a similar index. While iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF has $11.99 billion in assets, Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF has $17.61 billion. IWO has an expense ratio of 0.24% and VBK charges 0.07%.
<h2>Bottom-Line</h2>
Retail and institutional investors increasingly turn to passively managed ETFs because they offer low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency; these kind of funds are also excellent vehicles for long term investors.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2312602/should-ishares-morningstar-small-cap-growth-etf-iscg-be-on-your-investing-radar?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-style_box_etf-2312602">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

ETFs

ISCG

MSTR

NTRA

Should iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF Be on Your Investing Radar?

Texas Roadhouse's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NYSE">TXRH</a>) short percent of float has risen 4.76% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 1.76 million shares sold short, which is 2.64% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.28 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Texas Roadhouse Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1722366013_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Texas Roadhouse has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Texas Roadhouse's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Texas Roadhouse's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 10.37%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Peering Into Texas Roadhouse's Recent Short Interest

JP Morgan analyst John Ivankoe maintains Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXRH#NASDAQ">TXRH</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $184 to $180.

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on Texas Roadhouse, Lowers Price Target to $180

These are the mid-caps that could perform best during 'downturn' regimes – BofA

Brinker International: 'The Year Of Traffic' For Chili's

Wells Fargo analyst Zachary Fadem maintained a Hold rating on Texas Roadhouse (TXRH – Research Report) today and set a price target of $175.00. The...

Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) Receives a Rating Update from a Top Analyst

In a report released today, Nick Setyan from Wedbush reiterated a Buy rating on Texas Roadhouse (TXRH – Research Report), with a price target of $1...

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