Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.16 EPS

Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The restaurant operator reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.16, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $175.69 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $177.74 million. Wingstop had a net margin of 25.51% and a negative return on equity of 16.17%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.92 EPS.

Wingstop Trading Up 14.0%

Shares of NASDAQ WING traded up $35.17 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $286.95. The company had a trading volume of 1,001,847 shares, compared to its average volume of 703,902. Wingstop has a 1 year low of $204.00 and a 1 year high of $388.14. The company has a market capitalization of $7.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.82, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 1.80. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $258.63 and its 200-day moving average price is $267.92.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Wingstop news, Director Kilandigalu Madati sold 269 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $259.97, for a total value of $69,931.93. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 5,283 shares in the company, valued at $1,373,421.51. This trade represents a 4.85% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.72% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Wingstop

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Inspire Investing LLC purchased a new position in Wingstop during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $140,000. Janus Henderson Group PLC lifted its stake in Wingstop by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 675,301 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $161,054,000 after purchasing an additional 31,618 shares in the last quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Wingstop by 5.9% in the 4th quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 17,069 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $4,071,000 after purchasing an additional 958 shares during the period. Cinctive Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Wingstop during the 4th quarter valued at $334,000. Finally, Bamco Inc. NY grew its position in shares of Wingstop by 34.7% during the 4th quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 215,231 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $51,330,000 after purchasing an additional 55,452 shares in the last quarter.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on WING shares. Mizuho cut their target price on Wingstop from $320.00 to $310.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Loop Capital began coverage on shares of Wingstop in a report on Friday, January 9th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $317.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup increased their price objective on Wingstop from $267.00 to $286.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Wingstop from $345.00 to $280.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on Wingstop from $300.00 to $290.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $338.93.

Key Stories Impacting Wingstop

Here are the key news stories impacting Wingstop this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly EPS topped expectations — Wingstop reported $1.00 EPS vs. ~ $0.84–$0.85 consensus, driven by revenue growth and margin improvement. That beat is the immediate catalyst for the rally. Wingstop (WING) Q4 Earnings Surpass Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Management highlighted margin strength (adjusted EBITDA expansion) and guidance that implies acceleration — investors view better margins plus a confident outlook as supportive for earnings and multiple expansion. Press Release — Q4 & FY2025 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Unit expansion remains a growth engine — Wingstop opened a record 493 net new restaurants in 2025 (19.2% unit growth), which helped systemwide sales growth and supports multi-year revenue/operating leverage when comps normalize. Wingstop Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Capital return (share buybacks) reduced outstanding shares ~4–5% and, combined with cash flow, underpins EPS upside and investor confidence — a likely reason for analyst revisions/positive commentary. MarketBeat coverage and analyst reaction
• Neutral Sentiment: Pre-earnings positioning and short-interest dynamics amplified moves into the report — reduced short exposure can magnify rebounds but is also a volatility factor. QuiverQuant analysis of pre-earnings positioning
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro/sector context — food-away-from-home inflation and ETF flows may support longer-term demand for restaurant names, but this is a broad tailwind rather than a company-specific driver. Food inflation / sector context (MarketBeat)
• Negative Sentiment: U.S. comparable-store sales declined in Q4 and management flagged weakness among Hispanic and lower‑income customers — that reduces near-term margin leverage and is a clear demand headwind to monitor. Wingstop Comparable Sales Fall Amid Consumer Weakness (WSJ)
• Negative Sentiment: Balance-sheet/leverage considerations — Wingstop uses debt to fund growth and shows negative equity/negative ROE in filings, which is a risk if cash flow or comps deteriorate. Investors should watch leverage and capital-return pacing. Press Release — Q4 & FY2025 Results (financials)

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.