This Company Just Announced a Historic Split: Time to Buy?
Many stock splits have occurred in recent years, with companies aiming to increase liquidity within shares and erase barriers to entry for potential investors. Lower share prices are more affordable for a greater portion of investors, although it’s worth noting that the rise of fractional share investing has alleviated this issue for some.
Of course, stock splits are purely cosmetic changes that do not affect the company's valuation or financial health.
Recently, beloved Chipotle Mexican Grill CMG announced a historic 50-for-1 split, with shares seeing a nice pop following the announcement. Let’s take a closer look at how the company currently stacks up and other examples of recent splits.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle Mexican Grill operates quick-casual and fresh Mexican restaurant chains. It’s the first split in the company’s history, hoping to make shares more accessible to employees as well as a broader range of investors. Shares are expected to begin trading on a post-split basis on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024.
The company’s sales growth has been spectacular, with CMG posting double-digit percentage annual sales growth in back-to-back years.
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CMG shares have been in a league of their own over the last year, gaining nearly 80% and widely outperforming relative to the general market. The company’s strong growth has supported the robust share performance, with estimates for its current fiscal year (FY24) suggesting 18% earnings growth on 13% higher sales.
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The company is coming off a strong FY23, opening a record number of new restaurants and establishing its first international partnership. Margin expansion was also prevalent, with CMG’s operating margin moving to 15.8% from 13.4%.
Chipotle Mexican Grill is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). It’s worth noting that analysts have maintained a rosy outlook for its FY24, with the $53.11 Zacks Consensus EPS estimate up 5% over the last year (+18% Y/Y growth).
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Walmart
Retail giant Walmart WMT recently underwent a 3-for-1 split, with shares trading on a split-adjusted basis starting on February 26th and reflecting the first split since 1999. Analysts have been bullish regarding its current fiscal year (FY25), with the $2.36 Zacks Consensus EPS estimate up nearly 6% over the last year.
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Shares have added +3.6% in value since the split date, outperforming the S&P 500 just marginally.
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Celsius Holdings
Consumer staples favorite Celsius CELH underwent a 3-for-1 split on November 15th 2023, with shares up a staggering 80% since. Investors were pleased with its latest set of quarterly results, causing shares to pop post-earnings near early March.
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No different than those above, analysts have become bullish on the company’s current year outlook, raising the $1.09 Zacks Consensus EPS estimate nearly 90% over the last year. The value suggests 41% earnings growth, whereas sales are forecasted to see a 40% boost.
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Bottom Line
Splits are an exciting announcement that shareholders can receive, essentially slicing the same pie into additional portions. And over the last few years, we’ve seen many companies, including Walmart WMT and Celsius CELH, split their shares to boost trading liquidity and knock down barriers of entry.
Most recently, market titan Chipotle Mexican Grill CMG announced a historic 50-for-1 split, with shares enjoying buying pressure post-announcement.
Splits do not affect a company's valuation or financial health – they simply make investing more accessible for more investors.
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Walmart Inc. (WMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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