We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Shares of Panera Bread Co. rapidly spiked more than 9% in late morning trading Monday following the release of a new report suggesting it is exploring a possible sale.
According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the company is currently exploring several strategic options—including a sale—after it received takeover interest. These sources, who preferred not to be named, said that Panera is working with advisers to study the options right now.
With a market cap of nearly $6 billion, Panera Bread is a major player in the hotly-contested world of fast-casual retail restaurants. The company operates over 2,000 bakery-cafes throughout North America, and the brand is known for its artisan breads, baked goods, and friendly in-store environments.
Panera has strung together an impressive streak of earnings beats, and its stock has gained about 25% so far this year. This run means that potential buyers would not necessarily be getting the company at a discount, which leads us to the obvious question regarding who could be interested in Panera right now.
Investors on social media were quick to suggest that Starbucks (SBUX - Free Report) might be a fitting suitor, and CNBC’s Jim Cramer reiterated this idea shortly thereafter. Nevertheless, neither party has confirmed the reports.
After its recent efforts to expand its food offerings and in-shop experiences, it might make sense for Starbucks to look at a company like Panera. It’s also worth noting that long-time Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz recently stepped down from his position, ushering in a new era for company leadership (also read: Starbucks News: $10 Coffee, Its Next Five Years, Princi is a Go).
Of course, we are in the very early stages of any potential buyout, and there is no provable link between Starbucks and Panera at the moment. Regardless, investors will want to keep a close eye on this story as it continues to play out.
More Stock News: 8 Companies Verge on Apple-Like Run
Did you miss Apple's 9X stock explosion after they launched their iPhone in 2007? Now 2017 looks to be a pivotal year to get in on another emerging technology expected to rock the market. Demand could soar from almost nothing to $42 billion by 2025. Reports suggest it could save 10 million lives per decade which could in turn save $200 billion in U.S. healthcare costs.
A bonus Zacks Special Report names this breakthrough and the 8 best stocks to exploit it. Like Apple in 2007, these companies are already strong and coiling for potential mega-gains. Click to see them right now >>
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Panera Bread (PNRA) Stock Soars on Buyout Rumors
Shares of Panera Bread Co. rapidly spiked more than 9% in late morning trading Monday following the release of a new report suggesting it is exploring a possible sale.
According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the company is currently exploring several strategic options—including a sale—after it received takeover interest. These sources, who preferred not to be named, said that Panera is working with advisers to study the options right now.
With a market cap of nearly $6 billion, Panera Bread is a major player in the hotly-contested world of fast-casual retail restaurants. The company operates over 2,000 bakery-cafes throughout North America, and the brand is known for its artisan breads, baked goods, and friendly in-store environments.
Panera has strung together an impressive streak of earnings beats, and its stock has gained about 25% so far this year. This run means that potential buyers would not necessarily be getting the company at a discount, which leads us to the obvious question regarding who could be interested in Panera right now.
Investors on social media were quick to suggest that Starbucks (SBUX - Free Report) might be a fitting suitor, and CNBC’s Jim Cramer reiterated this idea shortly thereafter. Nevertheless, neither party has confirmed the reports.
After its recent efforts to expand its food offerings and in-shop experiences, it might make sense for Starbucks to look at a company like Panera. It’s also worth noting that long-time Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz recently stepped down from his position, ushering in a new era for company leadership (also read: Starbucks News: $10 Coffee, Its Next Five Years, Princi is a Go).
Of course, we are in the very early stages of any potential buyout, and there is no provable link between Starbucks and Panera at the moment. Regardless, investors will want to keep a close eye on this story as it continues to play out.
More Stock News: 8 Companies Verge on Apple-Like Run
Did you miss Apple's 9X stock explosion after they launched their iPhone in 2007? Now 2017 looks to be a pivotal year to get in on another emerging technology expected to rock the market. Demand could soar from almost nothing to $42 billion by 2025. Reports suggest it could save 10 million lives per decade which could in turn save $200 billion in U.S. healthcare costs.
A bonus Zacks Special Report names this breakthrough and the 8 best stocks to exploit it. Like Apple in 2007, these companies are already strong and coiling for potential mega-gains. Click to see them right now >>