Dunkin' Brands (DNKN) reported higher than expected top and bottom line fourth quarter results this morning, but the company noted that same-store sales fell 0.8% for its flagship Dunkin' Donuts brand in the U.S.
The company's same-store sales decline was in contrast to Starbucks (SBUX), which recently reported a comparable store sales increase in the U.S., and come after McDonald's (MCD) launched its "All-Day Breakfast" initiative.
WHAT'S NEW: Dunkin' reported Q4 earnings per share of 52c, versus the consensus estimate of 50c. Its Q4 revenue came in slightly above expectations. However, the chain reported that its same-store sales slid 0.8% versus the same period a year earlier in its Dunkin' Donuts locations. The company provided fiscal 2016 earnings guidance that was in-line with expectations, excluding certain items. It expects its U.S. Dunkin' Donuts same-store sales to rise 0%-2% in fiscal 2016. In comparison, Starbucks reported that its Americas same-store sales jumped 9% in Q4. Of note, Dunkin' Brands raised its dividend by 13% to 30c per share.
ANALYST REACTION: Dunkin's same-store sales came in below expectations, wrote Michael Gallo, an analyst at CL King. However, excluding a decline of 1.2 percentage points in sales of the company's K-cup offerings, the company's same-store sales were flat, he stated. McDonald's launch of all-day breakfast clearly negatively impacted Dunkin, as guest traffic at Dunkin's stores fell one percentage point, the analyst stated. Gallo kept a Buy rating on the shares but noted that he was placing his price target under review.
PRICE ACTION: In late morning trading, Dunkin Brands shares gained 2% to $41.72.
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