What is Zacks Research’s Estimate for Wendy’s Q1 Earnings?

The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Wendy’s in a research report issued on Thursday, February 27th. Zacks Research analyst H. Ray now anticipates that the restaurant operator will post earnings per share of $0.21 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.22. The consensus estimate for Wendy’s’ current full-year earnings is $0.99 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Wendy’s’ Q3 2025 earnings at $0.26 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.32 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.28 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.28 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.15 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $1.25 EPS.

Wendy’s (NASDAQ:WEN) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The restaurant operator reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $574.27 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $564.17 million. Wendy’s had a return on equity of 75.56% and a net margin of 8.65%.

WEN has been the subject of several other reports. Argus upgraded Wendy’s to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on Wendy’s from $17.00 to $15.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $17.00 price objective (down from $20.00) on shares of Wendy’s in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $15.00 price objective on shares of Wendy’s in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on Wendy’s from $17.00 to $16.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $18.34.

Wendy’s Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:WEN opened at $14.92 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.48. Wendy’s has a 1 year low of $13.72 and a 1 year high of $20.65. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $15.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $16.98. The firm has a market cap of $2.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.71, a P/E/G ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.77.

Wendy’s Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. Wendy’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 105.26%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Wendy’s

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Point72 Asset Management L.P. boosted its stake in Wendy’s by 159.6% in the 3rd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 6,440,880 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $112,844,000 after purchasing an additional 3,959,480 shares during the period. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC boosted its stake in shares of Wendy’s by 3,249.7% during the 4th quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 1,568,348 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $25,564,000 after buying an additional 1,521,527 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Wendy’s by 296.1% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,882,829 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $30,690,000 after buying an additional 1,407,503 shares during the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new position in shares of Wendy’s during the 4th quarter worth about $16,678,000. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new position in shares of Wendy’s during the 4th quarter worth about $13,358,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.96% of the company’s stock.

Wendy’s Company Profile

The Wendy’s Co engages in operating, developing, and franchising a system of quick-service restaurants. It offers hamburgers and related products, such as chicken breast sandwiches, nuggets, chili, and baked potatoes, French fries, freshly prepared salads, soft drinks, milk, coffee, frosty deserts, and kid’s meals.