Equities Analysts Set Expectations for Medifast Q3 Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its Q3 2026 EPS estimate for Medifast to a loss of $0.40 per share from a projected loss of $0.60, while maintaining a “Hold” rating.
• Medifast exceeded the latest quarterly expectations, reporting a $0.28-per-share loss versus the anticipated $0.65 loss and revenue of $76.38 million versus the $72.70 million estimate.
• Despite improved forecasts, analysts still expect Medifast to remain unprofitable through FY2028. The stock has an average “Reduce” rating and a consensus price target of $12.00.

Medifast Inc (NYSE:MED - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Zacks Research raised their Q3 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Medifast in a research note issued to investors on Monday, August 24th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the specialty retailer will earn ($0.40) per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of ($0.60). Zacks Research has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Medifast's current full-year earnings is ($1.00) per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Medifast's Q4 2026 earnings at ($0.17) EPS, FY2026 earnings at ($1.04) EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at ($0.12) EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at ($0.10) EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at ($0.08) EPS, FY2027 earnings at ($0.47) EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at ($0.16) EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at ($0.11) EPS and FY2028 earnings at ($0.43) EPS.

Medifast (NYSE:MED - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 3rd. The specialty retailer reported ($0.28) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.65) by $0.37. Medifast had a negative return on equity of 6.69% and a negative net margin of 8.08%.The business had revenue of $76.38 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $72.70 million. Medifast has set its FY 2026 guidance at -1.750--0.250 EPS and its Q3 2026 guidance at -0.650--0.150 EPS.

Separately, Weiss Ratings raised Medifast from a "sell (e+)" rating to a "sell (d)" rating in a report on Monday, August 17th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Medifast currently has an average rating of "Reduce" and a consensus price target of $12.00.

Medifast Stock Up 1.6%

Shares of NYSE MED opened at $12.20 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $136.34 million, a PE ratio of -5.23 and a beta of 0.65. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $10.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $11.07. Medifast has a 52-week low of $9.22 and a 52-week high of $14.67.

Insider Buying and Selling at Medifast

In other news, Director Parsa Kiai bought 43,150 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 20th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $11.60 per share, with a total value of $500,540.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 661,306 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,671,149.60. The trade was a 6.98% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 3.70% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Medifast

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in Medifast by 103.1% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,338 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 1,187 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of Medifast during the 3rd quarter worth $37,000. Intesa Sanpaolo Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Medifast during the 4th quarter worth $47,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in shares of Medifast during the 4th quarter worth $59,000. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Medifast in the 2nd quarter valued at about $75,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.51% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about Medifast

Here are the key news stories impacting Medifast this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised its FY2026 EPS forecast to -$1.04 from -$1.97, FY2027 to -$0.47 from -$1.89, and FY2028 to -$0.43 from -$1.81. These sizable upgrades indicate improving expectations for Medifast’s profitability and could provide support for the stock.
• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly estimates were also lifted, including Q3 2026 EPS to -$0.40 from -$0.60, Q4 2026 to -$0.17 from -$0.50, Q2 2027 to -$0.12 from -$0.66, Q3 2027 to -$0.10 from -$0.58, and Q4 2027 to -$0.08 from -$0.48. Q2 2028 was raised to -$0.11 from -$0.64.
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks maintained a Hold rating. Its current full-year consensus remains approximately -$1.00 EPS, broadly consistent with the revised FY2026 forecast of -$1.04.
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the upgrades, Medifast is still expected to report losses through FY2028. Zacks also trimmed its Q1 2028 EPS forecast slightly to -$0.16 from -$0.15, highlighting continued uncertainty around the pace of recovery.

Medifast Company Profile

Medifast, Inc NYSE: MED is a health and wellness company specializing in clinically supported weight-loss, weight-management and healthy living products and services. Through its OPTAVIA brand, the company offers a range of meal replacement products, snacks, supplements and coaching programs designed to support metabolic health and sustainable lifestyle changes. Medifast markets its products directly to consumers via a network of independent distributors—known as OPTAVIA Coaches—who provide personalized guidance and support throughout the client's weight‐loss journey.

Founded in 1980 by William Vitale and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Medifast has grown into a nationally recognized provider of nutrition and weight‐management solutions.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

Continue following MarketBeat

Add MarketBeat as your preferred source on Google to see our latest stories in your feed.

Add As Preferred Source