Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) recently made headlines after Jim Cramer discussed the struggles the fast-food chain is facing in the wake of its latest earnings report. Despite beating analyst EPS and revenue estimates, Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) saw its stock price plummet by 20.6% following the firm’s second-quarter earnings release. The main reason for this decline was the firm’s lower-than-expected same-store sales guidance.
In a recent conference call, Cramer highlighted the impact of inflation on Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) and the broader fast-food industry. He noted that consumers are increasingly unable to afford higher-priced items, such as the nine-dollar burger offered by Shake Shack. As a result, the company has had to resort to offering deals and lowering prices to attract customers. This trend is not unique to Shake Shack, as many other companies in the industry are also feeling the pinch of rising costs and the need to pass down tariffs to consumers.
Cramer also discussed Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) earlier in the earnings season, pointing out that even a strong quarter may not be enough to prevent a stock from pulling back if it comes in “too hot.” While Shake Shack reported a top and bottom-line beat with its highest restaurant-level margins in six years, some investors were concerned about the company’s same-store sales growth, which fell short of analysts’ expectations.
While Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) remains a potential investment opportunity, Cramer emphasized that there are other stocks in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector that may offer greater potential for returns with limited downside risk. He recommended looking into AI stocks that could benefit from Trump tariffs and onshoring, highlighting a free report on the best short-term AI stock for interested investors.
In conclusion, while Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) faces challenges in the current economic climate, there are still opportunities for investors to explore in other sectors, such as AI. By diversifying their portfolios and staying informed about market trends, investors can make informed decisions to maximize their returns.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.