After months of declines, shares of Wendy's (NASDAQ: WEN) were rebounding in a big way on Wednesday. The cause: Longtime investor Nelson Peltz said he may soon push for changes at the slumping fast-food giant -- the kinds of changes that could drive the stock higher. It's already working, at least for the moment. As of 1:00 p.m. ET, Wendy's shares were up about 16.8% from Tuesday's closing price. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to b ...

Activist investor Nelson Peltz said in an SEC filing on Wednesday that the fast-food chain Wendy’s stock is currently undervalued, sending its shares up about 15%.According to the filing, Peltz’s Trian Fund Management has spoken with possible financing sources, co‑investors, and strategic partners about potential deals including an acquisition or other major transactions that could give the firm control of the company.Back in 2022, Peltz had considered a potential takeover bid for the burger chain.Activist ...

Core Insights - Wendy's stock has shown exceptional strength despite recent challenges, with shares rallying after a period of decline [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Wendy's shares fell to a new 52-week low due to disappointing 2026 guidance, which included a projected adjusted EPS of 56 to 60 cents, significantly below the Street consensus of 86 cents [2] - The company reported double-digit declines in U.S. same-restaurant sales and shrinking margins, leading to multiple price target cuts from analysts [2] Group 2: Strategic Moves - Trian Partners has indicated the potential for strategic moves, including acquisitions or other extraordinary transactions that could lead to control of the company and possibly a de-listing of shares [3] - Trian has engaged with financing sources and potential partners under confidentiality agreements to explore these options [3] Group 3: Market Reactions - Despite the recent downturn, the language describing the stock as "undervalued" has sparked interest from bargain hunters and likely some short-covering after the stock hit multi-year lows [4] - Analysts have adjusted their price targets, with the average target now at $8.75, and recent actions include a 15.57% increase in Wendy's shares, reaching $8.09 [5]

I’m an equity analyst and founder of Goulart’s Restaurant Stocks, a research firm focused on the U.S. restaurant industry — from quick-service and fast casual to fine dining and niche concepts. I lead all thematic research and valuation efforts, applying advanced financial modeling, sector-specific KPIs, and strategic insights to uncover hidden value across public equities. In addition to restaurants, I cover consumer discretionary, food & beverage, casinos & gaming, and IPOs, with a particular focus on mic ...

A wave of analyst price target cuts made Wendy's (NASDAQ: WEN) stock a very unappealing investment on Tuesday. Those moves closely followed the fast food company's latest set of quarterly earnings, which fell notably short of top-line guidance for this year. The company's stock lost more than 6% of its value that trading session. Unwanted cuts By my count, no less than ten analysts tracking Wendy's made such adjustments that day, following the company's fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings release ...

Core Insights - Wendy's stock is currently testing key support levels, hitting a new low amid concerns over declining sales and weak guidance for 2026 [1] Financial Performance - Wendy's reported adjusted earnings of 16 cents per share on revenue of $543 million, slightly exceeding analyst expectations [2] - U.S. same-restaurant sales fell by 11.3%, and company-operated margins decreased to 12.7% from 16.5%, impacted by reduced traffic and increased food and labor costs [2] Future Outlook - The company's 2026 guidance is conservative, projecting adjusted EPS between 56 and 60 cents, below Wall Street's expectation of 86 cents, with global systemwide sales expected to remain flat [3] - Concerns are growing that the turnaround plan, Project Fresh, may take longer to yield results in the U.S. market [3] Analyst Reactions - Following the earnings report, BMO Capital reduced its price target from $11 to $9, while Evercore ISI lowered its target from $9 to $8, both maintaining neutral ratings [4] - Short interest has risen to over 50% of Wendy's freely traded shares, indicating a crowded bearish sentiment [4] Technical Analysis - The stock is trading 7.3% below its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 15.5% below its 100-day SMA, reflecting significant bearish momentum [5] - Over the past year, shares have decreased by 53.57%, nearing their 52-week lows [5] - The RSI is neutral, while the MACD is below its signal line, suggesting ongoing bearish pressure [6] Market Performance - Wendy's shares fell by 7.02% to $6.95, marking a new 52-week low [8] - Key resistance is identified at $7.50, with key support at $6.50 [8]

Fast-food chain Wendy's will shutter 5% to 6% of its stores nationwide in the first half of 2026 as part of an ongoing downsizing plan. Interim CEO Ken Cook first told investors in a Nov. 7 quarterly earnings call that the company would be closing a "mid single-digit percentage" of its nearly 6,000 locations nationwide. On a Feb. 13 earnings call, Cook said the company had already closed 28 restaurants in the last quarter of 2025 as part of a planned 5% to 6% reduction. Fast food chain Wendy's will shut ...

Wendy’s burger, fries and Frosty with the Wendy’s logo, evoking a deep-value stock turnaround rebound. Key Points Wendy's is well-positioned to rebound, but the timing is questionable amid competitors taking market share. Analysts are trimming targets but remain highly confident in the Hold rating.  Institutions and short-sellers have the market set up to be squeezed when a catalyst emerges. Interested in The Wendy's Company? Here are five stocks we like better. Wendy’s (NASDAQ: WEN) stock is down ...

Core Viewpoint - The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ:WEN) is facing challenges in the restaurant sector, with multiple analysts lowering their price targets and maintaining cautious ratings, despite its growth plans in Mexico [2][3][4]. Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Stifel analyst Chris O'Cull reduced the price target for Wendy's to $9 from $11 while maintaining a Hold rating, citing expected strong fourth-quarter results in the restaurant space, with Wendy's as a notable exception [2]. - Citi lowered its price target for Wendy's to $8 from $9, keeping a Neutral rating [3]. - Morgan Stanley also cut its price target for Wendy's to $8 from $9, maintaining an Underweight rating as part of its 2026 outlook on the restaurant and foodservice sector [3]. Group 2: Growth Initiatives - Wendy's is accelerating its growth in Mexico and is actively seeking a franchise partner to develop locations in Tijuana and Baja California, with a long-term potential of over 400 locations nationwide [4]. - The company currently operates more than 40 restaurants in Mexico, which management considers a strategic hub for expansion [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - The Wendy's Company operates and franchises quick-service restaurants both in the United States and internationally, with segments that include U.S. operations, international markets, and global real estate and development [5].

Core Viewpoint - Wendy's is facing challenges in the competitive fast-food industry, leading to plans for closing a significant number of U.S. locations due to declining domestic sales [2][5]. Group 1: Company Actions - Wendy's plans to close hundreds of its U.S. restaurants, which represents about 5% to 6% of its total locations in the country [2][5]. - The company is responding to declining domestic sales as highlighted in its fourth-quarter earnings report [2]. Group 2: Stock Performance - Wendy's stock price was trading at $7.48, with a recent price target set at $7 by Morgan Stanley, indicating a potential decrease of about -6.42% [1]. - The stock has shown volatility, with a trading range between $7.08 and $7.93 on a recent trading day [3]. - Over the past year, Wendy's stock has experienced a high of $16.20 and a low of $7.08, reflecting ongoing efforts to navigate sales challenges [3]. Group 3: Market Metrics - Wendy's market capitalization is approximately $1.42 billion, indicating the total market value of its outstanding shares [4]. - The trading volume on the NASDAQ exchange is 19.22 million shares, showing active investor interest [4][5].