Chipotle
Third-quarter net income increased 74.6% to $20.6 million, or $0.62 per share. Revenues increased 35.6% to $286.4 million, with same-store restaurant sales up 12.4%. In more good news, Chipotle was able to increase operating margins from 21.5% to 23%, and it decreased general and administrative expenses from 7.4% of revenue to 6.7%.
Chipotle has been quite a success story since it was separated from former parent McDonald's
Chipotle's success is evident in the stock's meteoric rise -- it's up 137% in the past 12 months. Of course, that big climb has given many investors food for thought when it comes to whether Chipotle's getting a little bit ahead of itself.
After all, it's trading at a whopping 82 times trailing earnings and 55 times forward earnings. Its PEG ratio is 2.52, well exceeding the level that usually signals a value-priced stock. True, there's a lot of growth left to come for Chipotle over the long term, but it's easy to see that this burrito may be overstuffed with optimism at the moment.
I think Chipotle's a great company. I love the food, as well as its focus on natural and organic ingredients. However, having noticed that many pricy, premium stocks eventually do present a bargain when some temporary factor goes amiss, I'd rather wait for a more reasonable price before thinking about gobbling up Chipotle shares.
For related Foolishness, see the following articles:
- One Fool recently wondered how much that burrito is really worth.
- Back in August, another Fool said that yes, Chipotle could get hotter.
- Check into what was going on with Chipotle in May.