Can CMG maintain its earnings momentum into 2025?

**Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) is poised to maintain its earnings momentum into 2025**, considering the following factors:

1. **Expected Earnings Growth**: Analysts project CMG to report earnings of $0.28 per share in the upcoming quarter, marking a 3.7% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. This indicates a positive earnings trend that could carry into 2025.
2. **Revenue Projection**: The consensus estimate for revenue is $2.96 billion, up 9.45% from the prior-year quarter. This substantial revenue growth suggests that CMG's sales momentum is likely to continue.
3. **Long-Term Growth Trends**: CMG has demonstrated a robust 3-year CAGR in net income of 30.62%, revenue of 14.47%, and diluted EPS of 31.7%. These long-term growth rates are indicative of a strong business model that can sustain earnings momentum.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Total Revenue|Net Income|Diluted EPS|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q1|2.701848E9|3.59287E8|13.01|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q2|2.973117E9|4.55671E8|0.33|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q3|2.793576E9|3.87388E8|0.28|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q4|2.84531E9|3.31764E8|0.24|169|

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Net Income YoY|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q1|23.193688195196884|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q2|33.31899704496914|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q3|23.68038771841886|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q4|17.610941344129095|169|

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Total Revenue YoY|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q1|14.07037127730539|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q2|18.224742236065598|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q3|13.011115120544606|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q4|13.074251287594581|169|

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Diluted EPS YoY|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q1|23.904761904761905|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q2|32.00000000000001|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q3|21.739130434782613|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|2024 Q4|19.99999999999999|169|

4. **Strategic Initiatives**: CMG's aggressive growth strategy, including the planned opening of 315-345 new locations in 2025, is likely to contribute to continued earnings growth as these new stores ramp up.
5. **Financial Capacity**: CMG's financial statements show a repurchase of common stock of -$338.95 million, which, although negative, can be a sign of confidence from the company regarding future earnings potential.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Repurchase of Common Stock YoY|Repurchase of Common Stock|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|20240331|78.68738605781752|-2.7005E7|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|20240630|-52.941238360776474|-1.45363E8|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|20240930|-127.43434268456188|-4.90237E8|169|
|CMG|CMG.N|Chipotle Mexican|20241231|-118.61794071360387|-3.38954E8|169|

6. **Market Position**: CMG's strong market position and ability to outperform competitors in customer visits suggest that it can continue to capture market share and grow earnings.
7. **Analyst Optimism**: Analysts have maintained or upgraded ratings for CMG, with a moderate buy rating and an average price target of $68.10, indicating optimism about the company's future performance.

In conclusion, CMG's expected earnings growth, revenue projection, long-term growth trends, strategic initiatives, financial capacity, market position, and analyst optimism all point to a strong likelihood of maintaining its earnings momentum into 2025.