FY2024 EPS Estimates for El Pollo Loco Cut by William Blair

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOCO - Free Report) - Analysts at William Blair reduced their FY2024 EPS estimates for El Pollo Loco in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, October 23rd. William Blair analyst S. Zackfia now anticipates that the restaurant operator will post earnings of $0.77 per share for the year, down from their previous forecast of $0.79. The consensus estimate for El Pollo Loco's current full-year earnings is $0.80 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for El Pollo Loco's Q4 2024 earnings at $0.12 EPS.

El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ:LOCO - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The restaurant operator reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.21 by $0.05. El Pollo Loco had a return on equity of 10.33% and a net margin of 5.76%. The company had revenue of $122.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $120.39 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.23 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis.

A number of other brokerages also recently weighed in on LOCO. StockNews.com raised shares of El Pollo Loco from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Truist Financial upped their target price on El Pollo Loco from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd.

El Pollo Loco Price Performance

El Pollo Loco stock traded down $0.21 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $12.55. 392,774 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 279,260. The firm has a market cap of $390.31 million, a PE ratio of 15.47 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.35 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $11.65. El Pollo Loco has a 12 month low of $8.11 and a 12 month high of $14.25.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On El Pollo Loco

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. LSV Asset Management bought a new position in shares of El Pollo Loco during the 2nd quarter worth about $4,407,000. Invenomic Capital Management LP grew its position in El Pollo Loco by 197.2% in the 1st quarter. Invenomic Capital Management LP now owns 491,244 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $4,785,000 after purchasing an additional 325,963 shares in the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in El Pollo Loco in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,735,000. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in shares of El Pollo Loco by 384.0% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 175,670 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $1,987,000 after buying an additional 139,375 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Eagle Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of El Pollo Loco by 321.8% in the 1st quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 145,498 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $1,417,000 after buying an additional 111,000 shares during the last quarter. 81.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at El Pollo Loco

In related news, major shareholder Sardar Biglari bought 62,362 shares of El Pollo Loco stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 14th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $12.47 per share, for a total transaction of $777,654.14. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 87,362 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,089,404.14. The trade was a 200.00 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders purchased 189,177 shares of company stock worth $2,483,158 over the last three months. Company insiders own 1.90% of the company's stock.

About El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiary, El Pollo Loco, Inc, develops, franchises, licenses, and operates quick-service restaurants under the El Pollo Loco name. It operates and franchises restaurants located in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and Louisiana. It also licenses its brand to restaurants in the Philippines.