Chipotle Is Now a Hold

Article Excerpt

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL $92.81 (New York symbol CMG.B; SI Rating: Speculative) (303-595-4000; www.chipotle.com; Shares outstanding: 32.8 million; Market cap: $3 billion) jumped recently after reporting that its earnings per share rose 84.8% in the three months ended June 30, 2007, to $0.61 from $0.33. Revenues rose 33.9%, to $274.3 million from $204.9 million, from new store openings and higher same-store sales. Chipotle now trades at over 43 times its current earnings forecast. The stock is vulnerable to a sharp drop if it fails to meet that forecast, or can’t maintain its rapid growth in revenues and profits. Chipotle is now a hold. hold…