What is Zacks Research’s Forecast for Wendy’s Q1 Earnings?

The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN) – Zacks Research cut their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for shares of Wendy’s in a report released on Friday, February 27th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the restaurant operator will post earnings per share of $0.13 for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $0.18. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Wendy’s’ current full-year earnings is $0.99 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Wendy’s’ Q2 2026 earnings at $0.18 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.15 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.14 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.15 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.21 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.16 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.17 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $0.75 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group cut their price target on Wendy’s from $8.50 to $7.50 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating and issued a $7.00 price objective on shares of Wendy’s in a research report on Monday, February 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $8.00 target price on shares of Wendy’s in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on shares of Wendy’s from $8.00 to $7.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Wendy’s in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $9.30.

Wendy’s Stock Up 0.9%

NASDAQ WEN opened at $7.51 on Monday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $8.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $8.72. Wendy’s has a one year low of $6.73 and a one year high of $15.79. The firm has a market cap of $1.43 billion, a PE ratio of 8.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 28.77, a current ratio of 1.76 and a quick ratio of 1.74.

Wendy’s (NASDAQ:WEN) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 13th. The restaurant operator reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.02. Wendy’s had a net margin of 7.58% and a return on equity of 145.93%. The firm had revenue of $439.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $537.11 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.25 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Wendy’s has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.560-0.600 EPS.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. United Services Automobile Association acquired a new stake in shares of Wendy’s during the first quarter worth about $161,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in Wendy’s by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 639,085 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $9,350,000 after buying an additional 11,072 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in Wendy’s by 5.6% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 19,697 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $225,000 after buying an additional 1,036 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama lifted its stake in Wendy’s by 34.1% in the second quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 954,998 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $10,906,000 after buying an additional 242,725 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Savant Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Wendy’s by 54.3% in the second quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 161,819 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $1,848,000 after buying an additional 56,956 shares during the period. 85.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wendy’s Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.14 per share. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. Wendy’s’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 65.88%.

About Wendy’s

The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN) operates as a global quick-service restaurant chain, best known for its square-shaped beef patties, fresh ingredient sourcing and signature Frosty dessert. The company’s menu features a variety of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, breakfast sandwiches, sides and beverages, designed to appeal to a broad customer base seeking both classic and contemporary fast-food options. Wendy’s has placed particular emphasis on product innovation, introducing limited-time offerings and revamped core menu items to maintain customer interest and respond to evolving dining trends.

Founded in 1969 by entrepreneur Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio, Wendy’s expanded rapidly through both company-owned and franchised outlets.