Caxton Associates LLP Takes $2.69 Million Position in Wingstop Inc. $WING

Caxton Associates LLP bought a new position in shares of Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 17,360 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock, valued at approximately $2,690,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of WING. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in Wingstop by 76.9% in the 4th quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 138 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the period. Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted its stake in Wingstop by 197.9% during the fourth quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 143 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the period. GW&K Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Wingstop by 75.7% during the fourth quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC now owns 188 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Wingstop by 121.4% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 217 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Wingstop in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $63,000.

Wingstop Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of Wingstop stock opened at $135.20 on Friday. Wingstop Inc. has a 12-month low of $116.35 and a 12-month high of $381.45. The stock has a market cap of $3.68 billion, a PE ratio of 33.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.79. The company has a 50-day moving average of $151.74 and a two-hundred day moving average of $192.82.

Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The restaurant operator reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $183.72 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $187.82 million. Wingstop had a net margin of 15.77% and a negative return on equity of 16.22%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.99 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Wingstop Inc. will post 4.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wingstop Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th were paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 15th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. Wingstop’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.85%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on shares of Wingstop in a report on Monday, March 30th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $275.00 price objective on the stock. BTIG Research reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $305.00 target price on shares of Wingstop in a report on Monday, July 13th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $255.00 target price on shares of Wingstop in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Barclays decreased their price target on Wingstop from $330.00 to $235.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Stephens set a $200.00 price objective on Wingstop in a research note on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have assigned a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $255.81.

Wingstop News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Wingstop this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Wingstop launched “Wingstop Wing Week,” expanding National Wing Day into a five-day event with free wings, Club Wingstop rewards, and live music giveaways, which could help boost customer traffic and brand engagement. Wingstop Expands Wing Day into Wing Week, Kicking Off a Broader $1 Million in Fan Experiences and Giveaways
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple reports highlighted Wingstop’s National Wing Day promotion expansion, reinforcing that the company is using limited-time offers and giveaways to drive consumer interest. Wingstop is turning National Wing Day into a full week with free wings and daily prize giveaways
• Neutral Sentiment: Brokerage coverage remained constructive overall, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating still in place, suggesting analysts remain generally optimistic about the stock’s outlook. Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages
• Neutral Sentiment: Mizuho lowered its price target on Wingstop to $240 from $280, but kept an “outperform” rating, indicating confidence remains intact despite a reduced valuation target. The Fly
• Neutral Sentiment: DA Davidson also cut its price target to $200 from $230 while maintaining a “buy” rating, which may reflect near-term caution but not a change in the firm’s positive view. Benzinga
• Neutral Sentiment: Wingstop announced a restaurant opening in Craigavon, supporting its ongoing expansion strategy, though the article did not indicate a material financial impact. US chicken chain Wingstop in Craigavon restaurant opening

About Wingstop

Wingstop Inc (NASDAQ: WING) is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in chicken wings and related menu items. Founded in 1994 in Garland, Texas, the company has built its brand around bold, chef-inspired wing flavors and a streamlined service model that caters to dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering orders.

The company’s core offerings include both bone-in and boneless chicken wings tossed in a variety of proprietary rubs and sauces, such as Original Hot, Lemon Pepper, and Mango Habanero.