Cava drops after Argus research downgrades to 'hold' on valuation concerns

CAVA

27/02/2026 15:03

** Shares of restaurant chain Cava CAVA.N down ~8% at $78.20

** Argus Research downgrades rating to "hold" from "buy"

** Brokerage says CAVA’s valuation outlook is extremely high compared to industry peers

** Believes the company's shares are "priced for perfection" given recent trends in same-store sales, traffic, and restaurant-level profit margins - brokerage

** "We are concerned that the company is overstretching on its forecasts based on a slowing of certain metrics" - brokerage

      ** 15 of 26 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 11 "hold"; their median PT is $83 - data compiled by LSEG

** Stock fell 47% in 2025

 (Reporting by Koyena Das from Bengaluru)

 ((Koyena.das@thomsonreuters.com))