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(Reuters) – The Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. announced Thursday that it has received a new subpoena from US federal prosecutors, seeking information about an outbreak that caused the disease of hundreds of people last year in one year. from his restaurants in Ohio.
Shares in the burrito chain fell 5% after the disclosure and after analysts announced a limited valuation, even as the company posted quarterly sales and profits higher than expected Wednesday.
"This is not a new incident, but (subpoena) is enough to shake some of the most nervous bulls in history," said Stephen Anderson, Maxim's group analyst.
Over the last three years, the company has been faced with several subpoenas relating to diseases related to its restaurants as a result of outbreaks of E. coli, salmonella and norovirus in its outlets dating back to the end of 2015, which affected hundreds of people in several states.
The last subpoena is the fourth and is part of an ongoing criminal investigation by the US District Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.
Last August, a type of bacteria found in meat and pre-cooked foods left at dangerous temperatures caused the deaths of hundreds of people at a Powell restaurant in Ohio.
The subpoena, disclosed Thursday at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1058090/000105809019000015/cmg-20190331x10q.htm, was intended to provide information on illness associated with the Ohio restaurant and restaurants in California, Massachusetts and Virginia covered by previous subpoenas.
Wednesday's results follow Chipotle's efforts to increase promotions, add new menu items and expand its delivery options. She has also launched a loyalty program to attract customers.
The upbeat results also prompted the company to raise its year-over-year comparable-year revenue growth forecast to a medium to high single-digit figure, compared with the prior year forecast. a growth of this figure to medium.
"While the company has improved its computational outlook, we believe that Chipotle must continue to aim for double-digit offsets to justify the current multiple," said Jeremy Scott, an analyst at Mizuho Securities.
Chipotle is trading 52.18 times its 12-month term profit, while Yum! Brands is trading at 26.07 times and McDonalds at 23.74.
Analysts also pointed out that rising commodity costs, loyalty trading and rising food costs will negatively impact Chipotle's margins.
Andy Barish, an analyst at Jefferies, said Chipotle is well positioned in its initiatives and believes it is still at the beginning of its transition process.
"However, valuation keeps us" on hold "(rating)," he added.
(Report by Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru, edited by Shailesh Kuber)
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