Denny’s likely will release its Q1 2021 earnings in late April or early-to-mid May (with after the market close on Tuesday, May 4th a distinct possibility). How do DENN shares tend to trade heading into earnings, and the day after an earnings release?
After today’s (Tuesday’s) market close, Denny’s reported adjusted Q4 EPS of -$0.05, lower than our +$0.01 projection and sell-side consensus (according to Consensus Metrix) of -$0.04. Relative to our model, we attribute the Q4 EPS shortfall primarily to Payroll and Benefits/Company Restaurant Sales (44.4% actual vs. 41.5% projected).
With this note, we change our rating on Denny’s (DENN; $17.41) to Neutral (from Buy). This change reflects: (1) lowered EPS estimates for 2021E and 2022E, and (2) a reduced same-store sales forecast for Q1E 2021, despite what appears to be some meaningful help from a calendar-shift effect related to Denny’s 2020 being a 53-week fiscal year, and (3) being mindful of DENN shares’ run-up from their 52-week low of $4.50 (intraday March 19, 2020) to $17.41 as of this past Friday’s market close. (FYI, the stock is also up +18.6% year-to-date.)