Three buys for a consumer rebound

Article Excerpt

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL $63.45 (New York symbol CMG.B; SI Rating: Speculative) (303-595-4000; www.chipotle.com; Shares outstanding: 32.9 million; Market cap: $2 billion) is a Denver-based Mexican-restaurant chain. Founded in 1993, Chipotle (pronounced chi-POATlay) charges slightly higher prices than fast-food chains, but offers higher quality food, including naturally raised meat, and better decor and service. In the three months ended December 31, 2008, Chipotle’s revenue rose 19.5%, to $345.3 million from $288.9 million a year earlier. Chipotle opened 39 restaurants during the quarter, and these accounted for most of the revenue growth, although same-restaurant revenue was up 3.5%, as well. This was mainly due to a rise in Chipotle’s menu prices. Chipotle now has over 837 restaurants, including its first outside the United States, in Toronto. Chipotle plans to open a restaurant in London, England, later this year. Earnings fell 3.2% in the latest quarter, to $17 million, or $0.52 a share, from $17.5 million, or $0.54 a share. Higher costs, including food ingredients, were the main…