CMG Earnings Predictions — 2026-07-29

Ticker Report or Guide KPI Prediction Answer Confidence
CMG Report Comparable sales BEAT pred ~+1.8% vs. cons +1.3% LOW
CMG Report Restaurant-level margin MISS pred ~24.4% vs. cons ~25.0% MEDIUM
CMG Report Adjusted EPS IN-LINE pred ~$0.32 vs. cons $0.32 MEDIUM
CMG Guide FY2026 comparable sales framework UNCHANGED guide ~flat/0% vs. cons ~+0.9% (FY2026) MEDIUM
CMG Guide FY2026 new restaurant openings UNCHANGED guide 350-370 vs. cons ~360 (FY2026) HIGH
CMG Guide 2H margin cadence (does pressure ease in Q4) UNKNOWN guide ~25% 2H restaurant margin vs. cons ~25.5% (FY2026) LOW
CMG Guide Transaction growth trajectory BETTER guide ~+1% transactions vs. cons ~+0.7% (Q2/2H 2026) LOW
CMG Return Day-1 residual (stock − beta × S&P 500) -3.5% LOW
CMG Return 5-day cumulative residual -5.5% (FADE) Even if comp/transactions modestly beat the low ~1.3% bar (lapping -4.0%), the debate is margin: a restaurant-margin miss (~24.4% vs ~25%) plus a maintained 'about flat' FY guide after two positive quarters implies 2H deceleration/continued pricing-below-inflation. Out-period math forces analysts to trim EPS despite the comp inflection, and sentiment is fragile after a ~17% bounce off June lows into the print. Expect an initial mixed-to-negative reaction that fades further over 5 days as estimate revisions skew down and the 'show-me' crowd stays sidelined absent a credible Q4 margin-inflection message. LOW