Monday, March 14, 2016 2:35:24 PM
Ask Matt: Is it crazy to buy El Pollo Loco?
Matt Krantz, USA TODAY 1:38 p.m. EDT March 14, 2016
AP NASDAQ WELCOMES EL POLLO LOCO, INC. PEX
(Photo: The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., Globe Newswire)
Q: Is it crazy to invest in El Pollo Loco?
A: El Pollo Loco (LOCO) sizzled from the start, as shares of the grilled chicken chain jumped on their first day of trading in 2014. The stock has been driving investors crazy since then.
El Pollo Loco, which means “The Crazy Chicken” in Spanish, has turned cold for investors. Shares have lost more than a third of their value over the past 12 months. The stock dropped another $1.24, or 8%, to $13.89 Friday after the company reported 4% lower quarterly revenue of $86.3 million. The disappointing and lower revenue overshadowed the fact the company’s adjusted earnings per share rose 7% and was better than expected. El Pollo Loco’s business took a hit last year when it attempted to drive prices higher and cut back on value menus. Since then, the $5 menu featuring combination meals has been brought back. Analysts are forecasting the company to get back on the growth track. Revenue is expected to rise 11% this year to $394 million and profit is expected to rise nearly 3% to 73 cents a share, says S&P Global Market Intelligence. Shares aren’t cheap, trading for 23 times earnings over the past 12 months. But analysts think the return to growth makes the stock a “buy.”
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Recent LOCO News
- El Pollo Loco’s BOGO Burrito Deal Takes National Guacamole Day to the Next Level • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 09/12/2024 01:00:00 PM
- Form 3 - Initial statement of beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/27/2024 11:29:13 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/23/2024 11:21:42 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/19/2024 08:23:49 PM
- El Pollo Loco Taps Content Creator Yuri Lamasbella as New Kreative Director for its Double Chopped Salads Campaign • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 08/12/2024 10:00:00 AM
- El Pollo Loco Celebrates Winning USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Quick, Healthy Food with a Limited-Time Offer • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 08/07/2024 10:00:00 AM
- Form 8-A12B/A - Registration of securities [Section 12(b)]: [Amend] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/05/2024 08:47:15 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/05/2024 08:34:25 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/01/2024 08:08:15 PM
- El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 08/01/2024 08:05:00 PM
- El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. to Announce Second Quarter 2024 Results on Thursday, August 1, 2024 • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 07/18/2024 01:00:00 PM
- El Pollo Loco Launches NEW Fire-Grilled Chicken Burritos with Hand-Made Guacamole at No Extra Cost • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 07/18/2024 10:00:00 AM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 06/18/2024 08:21:24 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 06/03/2024 08:29:44 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 06/03/2024 05:29:16 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/31/2024 06:46:48 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/31/2024 06:37:45 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/31/2024 06:18:33 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/30/2024 11:28:23 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/30/2024 11:26:20 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/30/2024 11:23:22 PM
- Form S-8 - Securities to be offered to employees in employee benefit plans • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/29/2024 08:40:06 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/29/2024 05:29:20 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/20/2024 03:50:30 PM
- Form 3 - Initial statement of beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/20/2024 03:39:40 PM
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