Short Interest in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) Increases By 19.6%

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 36,521,145 shares, a growth of 19.6% from the January 29th total of 30,528,793 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 24,933,160 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days. Approximately 2.8% of the shares of the company are sold short. Approximately 2.8% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 24,933,160 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE CMG opened at $37.04 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $38.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $37.95. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a 52 week low of $29.75 and a 52 week high of $58.42. The stock has a market cap of $48.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.49, a PEG ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 1.00.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The restaurant operator reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 company had revenue of $2.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.96 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.25 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill will post 1.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chipotle Mexican Grill

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Operose Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the second quarter valued at $25,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Wealth Watch Advisors INC purchased a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, MV Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. 91.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Citigroup increased their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $48.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Gordon Haskett cut shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, BTIG Research reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $45.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Twenty-two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $47.24.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile

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.