This restaurant company beat analysts’ earnings estimates by $0.09 last quarter, and eight analysts have recently increased their forecasts for the company. The shares have a current annual dividend yield of 3.19%, paid quarterly.
Restaurant Brands International Inc. (QSR)
From Schaeffer’s Investment Research
Burger King parent Restaurant Brands International Inc. has been in rally mode since its last earnings report in mid-February—breaching the $56-58 region, which was home to major lows back in 2016 and 2018, as well as the $59 level, which is a 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the stock’s 2018 peak through its 2020 trough.
There’s plenty of pessimism surrounding QSR, despite this positive price action, which could push the equity higher as these bearish bets begin to unwind. For one, the equity’s 10-day put/call open interest ratio of 1.90 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). This ratio stands higher than 74% of readings from the past year, suggesting this penchant for bearish bets is unusual.
And while short interest makes up just 2.8% of QSR’s float, it would take almost a week for bears to cover their positions, which could lead to a potential short squeeze situation. The security could benefit from a round of analyst upgrades and/or price-target hikes, too. Of the 17 in coverage, seven still call the fast food stock a “hold,” while the 12-month consensus price target of $66.92 is a slim 2.9% premium to Friday’s close.
This looks like an excellent time to get in on QSR’s next move with options too. The security’s Schaeffer’s Volatility Index (SVI) of 27% stands in the lowest percentile of its annual range, implying options traders are pricing in extremely low volatility expectations for the equity at the moment. We should also note that our recommended call option has a leverage ratio of 7.9 and will double in a 12.4% rise in the underlying equity.
Bernie Schaeffer, Schaeffer’s Investment Research, SchaeffersResearch.com, 800-327-8833, March 24, 2021