Stifel lowers Restaurant Brands target to $77 but maintains target By Investing.com

On Monday, Stifel adjusted its outlook for Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:), lowering the stock’s price target to $77 from $80 while maintaining a “hold” rating on the shares. The adjustment came as the company reported mixed financial results, with a strong performance at Tims Canada but weaker results in the U.S. and international markets. The company has therefore revised down its net unit growth forecast to 4% from 4.5% previously and tempered its expectations for system sales growth in 2024.

However, the company’s management expects adjusted EBIT growth to meet or exceed the long-term target of over 8%, supported by improved margin development and tighter management of general and administrative expenses. Despite the positive developments at Tims Canada, analysts expect weak comparable restaurant sales for Restaurant Brands’ U.S. operations in the near term as lower-income consumers spend less.

The lowered growth outlook also reflects concerns about the company’s pace of development, which may not be consistent with long-term forecasts given the current weakening consumer environment and geopolitical tensions affecting various global markets. These factors have led Stifel to revise its net unit growth and SRS forecasts for the first half of fiscal 2025, resulting in an updated 12-month price target of $77.

The company’s ongoing efforts to navigate a difficult economic environment and continue to grow despite external pressures are evident in these revised forecasts. Restaurant Brands International’s ability to achieve its adjusted EBIT growth target will be closely watched by investors as the company attempts to balance growth and cost control in a volatile market.

In other recent news, Restaurant Brands International (RBI) reported growth in the second quarter of 2024, driven by strategic acquisitions and an increase in digital sales. The company reported a 1.9% increase in comparable sales and 4% net restaurant growth. RBI’s acquisitions of Carrols Restaurant Group (NASDAQ:) and Popeyes China, as well as a 32% growth in Popeyes’ digital sales, were key drivers of this growth.

Despite challenges in the US market, Burger King has managed to outperform the quick-service restaurant industry. However, the company’s revised sales growth forecast from an expected 4.5% to 4.0% for fiscal 2024 has raised questions among investors.

Piper Sandler subsequently lowered its price target for RBI shares to $75 from $82 and remains neutral. The company reiterated its target for adjusted operating income growth of +8% for the full year, although revenue growth is expected to be lower than expected.

In light of these recent developments, RBI forecasts full-year system-wide revenue growth of 5.5% to 6% and organic adjusted operating profit growth of over 8%. With a focus on cost optimization, strategic investments and maintaining dividends, RBI continues to demonstrate confidence in its growth prospects.

InvestingPro Insights

As Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR) navigates a challenging economic environment, real-time data from InvestingPro provides additional insights into the company’s financial health and market performance. With a market cap of $31.47 billion and a P/E ratio of 17.33, QSR trades at a valuation that reflects a balance between its earnings and market expectations. The company’s PEG ratio of 0.8 suggests growth potential when looking at the trailing twelve-month earnings trend through the second quarter of 2024.

InvestingPro Tips highlights that analysts are optimistic about QSR’s profitability. Ten analysts have upgraded their earnings forecast for the coming period, signaling confidence in the company’s ability to deliver positive earnings. In addition, the company has a track record of rewarding its shareholders: it has increased its dividend for nine consecutive years, which is complemented by a respectable dividend yield of 3.29% as of the second quarter of 2024.

For investors interested in deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips on QSR that provide a more comprehensive understanding of the company’s financial position and market potential. To further explore these insights, visit https://www.investing.com/pro/QSR.

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