What is Zacks Research's Estimate for CAKE FY2026 Earnings?

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its FY2026 EPS estimate for Cheesecake Factory to $4.69 from $4.36, slightly above the $4.68 analyst consensus; the firm maintains a “Hold” rating.
• Cheesecake Factory’s latest quarter beat expectations, with EPS of $1.02 versus $0.96 estimated and revenue of $1.03 billion, up 13.9% year over year.
• Analyst sentiment overall remains “Hold,” with a consensus price target of $95.47; the stock opened at $108.80.

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (NASDAQ:CAKE - Free Report) - Research analysts at Zacks Research boosted their FY2026 EPS estimates for Cheesecake Factory in a report released on Tuesday, November 10th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the restaurant operator will earn $4.69 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $4.36. Zacks Research has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Cheesecake Factory's current full-year earnings is $4.68 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Cheesecake Factory's Q4 2026 earnings at $1.18 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.20 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.49 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.04 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $1.36 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $1.35 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $1.52 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $1.11 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $5.56 EPS.

A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on CAKE. Mizuho lifted their target price on Cheesecake Factory from $93.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, October 23rd. Citigroup decreased their price target on Cheesecake Factory from $128.00 to $127.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 28th. William Blair restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Cheesecake Factory in a research report on Thursday, October 29th. Freedom Capital raised shares of Cheesecake Factory from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Cheesecake Factory from $80.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $95.47.

Cheesecake Factory Price Performance

Shares of CAKE stock opened at $108.80 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $5.42 billion, a PE ratio of 25.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.14. Cheesecake Factory has a 1 year low of $43.07 and a 1 year high of $118.63. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $107.77 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $81.48.

Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ:CAKE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 27th. The restaurant operator reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.96 by $0.06. Cheesecake Factory had a net margin of 5.20% and a return on equity of 44.53%. The business had revenue of $1.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.01 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.66 EPS. The business's revenue was up 13.9% on a year-over-year basis.

Cheesecake Factory Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 24th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 10th will be given a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 10th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Cheesecake Factory's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.44%.

Insider Transactions at Cheesecake Factory

In other news, CFO Matthew Clark sold 23,832 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.31, for a total value of $2,700,403.92. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 45,109 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,111,300.79. The trade was a 34.57% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Alexander L. Cappello sold 425 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.71, for a total transaction of $48,326.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 3,428 shares of the company's stock, valued at $389,797.88. The trade was a 11.03% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 29,154 shares of company stock valued at $3,298,256. Company insiders own 8.00% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cheesecake Factory

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in Cheesecake Factory during the second quarter worth $38,020,000. Bamco Inc. NY purchased a new position in shares of Cheesecake Factory in the 2nd quarter valued at $35,793,000. PDT Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cheesecake Factory in the 2nd quarter valued at $13,743,000. Public Sector Pension Investment Board raised its position in shares of Cheesecake Factory by 85.4% in the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 291,201 shares of the restaurant operator's stock worth $32,920,000 after acquiring an additional 134,137 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. bought a new position in shares of Cheesecake Factory in the 3rd quarter worth $13,792,000. Institutional investors own 94.48% of the company's stock.

Key Cheesecake Factory News

Here are the key news stories impacting Cheesecake Factory this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised estimates across several upcoming quarters, lifting its FY2026 EPS forecast to $4.69 from $4.36 and FY2028 to $5.56 from $5.29. The revisions suggest improved analyst expectations and could support investor sentiment, although the firm’s rating remains “Hold.”
• Neutral Sentiment: A new Cheesecake Factory location opened at West County Mall, a modest expansion update. New Cheesecake Factory location opens at West County Mall
• Negative Sentiment: Recent comparable-sales growth of 15.2% may be difficult to sustain into 2027, with tougher comparisons and repeat customer visits identified as tests for continued momentum. Can Cheesecake Factory Sustain Its 15.2% Comps Surge Into 2027?

About Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated NASDAQ: CAKE is a restaurant company that operates and licenses restaurants under several brands. Its portfolio includes The Cheesecake Factory, North Italia and restaurants developed by Fox Restaurant Concepts, such as Flower Child and Culinary Dropout. The company's restaurants serve a range of dishes, including appetizers, entrees and desserts. Its bakery division produces cheesecakes and other baked goods for its restaurants and for foodservice and retail customers.

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