Markets
News
Analysis
User
24/7
Economic Calendar
Education
Data
- Names
- Latest
- Prev
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
No matching data
Latest Views
Latest Views
Trending Topics
To quickly learn market dynamics and follow market focuses in 15 min.
In the world of mankind, there will not be a statement without any position, nor a remark without any purpose.
Inflation, exchange rates, and the economy shape the policy decisions of central banks; the attitudes and words of central bank officials also influence the actions of market traders.
Money makes the world go round and currency is a permanent commodity. The forex market is full of surprises and expectations.
Top Columnists
Enjoy exciting activities, right here at FastBull.
The latest breaking news and the global financial events.
I have 5 years of experience in financial analysis, especially in aspects of macro developments and medium and long-term trend judgment. My focus is maily on the developments of the Middle East, emerging markets, coal, wheat and other agricultural products.
BeingTrader chief Trading Coach & Speaker, 8+ years of experience in the forex market trading mainly XAUUSD, EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Crude Oil. A confident trader and analyst who aims to explore various opportunities and guide investors in the market. As an analyst I am looking to enhance the trader’s experience by supporting them with sufficient data and signals.
Latest Update
Risk Warning on Trading HK Stocks
Despite Hong Kong's robust legal and regulatory framework, its stock market still faces unique risks and challenges, such as currency fluctuations due to the Hong Kong dollar's peg to the US dollar and the impact of mainland China's policy changes and economic conditions on Hong Kong stocks.
HK Stock Trading Fees and Taxation
Trading costs in the Hong Kong stock market include transaction fees, stamp duty, settlement charges, and currency conversion fees for foreign investors. Additionally, taxes may apply based on local regulations.
HK Non-Essential Consumer Goods Industry
The Hong Kong stock market encompasses non-essential consumption sectors like automotive, education, tourism, catering, and apparel. Of the 643 listed companies, 35% are mainland Chinese, making up 65% of the total market capitalization. Thus, it's heavily influenced by the Chinese economy.
HK Real Estate Industry
In recent years, the real estate and construction sector's share in the Hong Kong stock index has notably decreased. Nevertheless, as of 2022, it retains around 10% market share, covering real estate development, construction engineering, investment, and property management.
Hongkong, China
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Dubai, UAE
Lagos, Nigeria
Cairo, Egypt
White Label
Data API
Web Plug-ins
Affiliate Program
View All
No data
Not Logged In
Log in to access more features
FastBull Membership
Not yet
Purchase
Log In
Sign Up
Hongkong, China
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Dubai, UAE
Lagos, Nigeria
Cairo, Egypt
White Label
Data API
Web Plug-ins
Affiliate Program
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. LOCO stock has shown remarkable performance in the past six months, outperforming the S&P 500 and the industry. In the same time frame, LOCO has surged 62.5% compared with the industry’s 2.3% increase and the S&P 500’s 9.3% rise. The company is focused on repositioning itself for growth under the leadership of CEO Liz Williams. Williams, who has been in her role for about six months, is undertaking efforts to modernize the brand and improve unit-level margins.
As of Friday, the stock closed at $13.60, below its 52-week high of $14.25 but above its 52-week low of $8.11. It also outperformed other industry players like Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. CMG, up 1.2%, Restaurant Brands International Inc. QSR, down 14.1%, and Brinker International, Inc. EAT, up 49.5% in the past six months.
Stock Price Performance
Technical indicators suggest continued strong performance for LOCO. The stock is trading above its 50-day moving averages, signaling robust upward momentum and price stability. This technical strength underscores positive market sentiment and confidence in LOCO's financial health and prospects.
50-Day Moving Averages
Factors Favoring LOCO Stock Surge
The company is benefiting from an increase in system-wide comparable restaurant sales. In the fiscal second quarter, LOCO reported a 4.5% increase in system-wide comparable restaurant sales, driven by their iconic Fire-Grilled Chicken, focus on value offerings and consistent operations.
El Pollo Loco is taking a strategic approach to its cost-saving measures, ensuring that food quality and customer experience are enhanced throughout the process. The company made strategic hires, including a new chief development officer, to streamline operations and reduce unit build costs. These efforts are expected to improve franchise growth and financial performance in the coming years. A new prototype design is expected to reduce the unit build cost to $1.8 million, which will further fuel franchise growth in 2025.
By leveraging fresh leadership perspectives and the expertise of long-standing team members, LOCO aims to realize the benefits of these initiatives by fourth-quarter 2024. These savings are expected to help balance the investments being made. With the progress achieved so far and a clear plan for the year ahead, the company is optimistic about reaching 18% restaurant contribution margins by 2025, strengthening its confidence in sustainably achieving 18-20% margins in the future.
El Pollo Loco relaunched its fire-grilled burritos and introduced new creamy chipotle sauce and queso blanco at competitive price points, enhancing the value perception of its menu. This contributed to positive feedback and sales growth.
To drive growth, a new chief development officer and franchisee development incentives were introduced, to accelerate expansion in 2025. Management is committed to building a strong franchise pipeline and proving the brand’s geographic scalability.
Estimate Revision Favoring the LOCO Stock
Reflecting the positive sentiment around LOCO, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share has seen upward revisions. In the past 60 days, analysts have raised their estimates for the current and next fiscal by 12.7% to 80 cents and 14.1% to 89 cents, respectively.
LOCO Trading at a Discount
The company is currently valued at a discount compared with the industry on a forward 12-month P/E basis. LOCO’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 15.7, significantly lower than the industry’s ratio of 24.57 and the S&P 500's ratio of 21.45.
P/E (F12M)
Conclusion
Despite the stock's impressive gain in the past six months, investors can still consider buying the stock. Strategic leadership under Williams and successful cost-saving initiatives are expected to improve margins and boost franchise growth. With the company's forward-thinking approach, including new menu innovations and unit-build cost reductions, along with upward revisions in earnings estimates and a favorable P/E valuation compared with the industry, the Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy) company presents a compelling opportunity for long-term growth at a discounted price.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Zacks Investment Research
By Adriano Marchese
Restaurant Brands International intends to renew its share repurchase program to buy back up to 10% of its common shares over the course of a one-year period.
The Toronto-based fast-food restaurant company said Thursday that the Toronto Stock Exchange approved the plan to renew its normal course issuer bid to buy back up to $500 million of its shares for cancellation.
Shares have been under pressure in 2024, falling about 9.7% in Toronto and closing on Wednesday at 93.53 Canadian dollars ($68.88). The stock is up 3.2% over the last 52-weeks.
Restaurant Brands can begin buying back the stocks on Sept. 16.
Write to Adriano Marchese at adriano.marchese@wsj.com
White Label
Data API
Web Plug-ins
Poster Maker
Affiliate Program
The risk of loss in trading financial instruments such as stocks, FX, commodities, futures, bonds, ETFs and crypto can be substantial. You may sustain a total loss of the funds that you deposit with your broker. Therefore, you should carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances and financial resources.
No decision to invest should be made without thoroughly conducting due diligence by yourself or consulting with your financial advisors. Our web content might not suit you since we don't know your financial conditions and investment needs. Our financial information might have latency or contain inaccuracy, so you should be fully responsible for any of your trading and investment decisions. The company will not be responsible for your capital loss.
Without getting permission from the website, you are not allowed to copy the website's graphics, texts, or trademarks. Intellectual property rights in the content or data incorporated into this website belong to its providers and exchange merchants.