Wall St. Earnings Expectations: The average estimate of analysts is for profit of 7 cents per share, a decline of 30% from the company’s actual earnings for the same quarter a year ago. During the past three months, the average estimate has moved down from 16 cents. Between one and three months ago, the average estimate moved down. It also has dropped from 13 cents during the last month. For the year, analysts are projecting net income of 39 cents per share, a rise of 2.6% from last year.

Past Earnings Performance: The company has missed estimates in the last two quarters. In the first quarter, it missed the mark by 3 cents as a result of reporting profit of 4 cents against an estimate of net income of 7 cents per share. In the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year, the company fell short of forecasts by 3 cents.

Investing Insights: Here’s Why Chipotle’s Stock Keeps Winning.

Wall St. Revenue Expectations: On average, analysts predict $30.4 million in revenue this quarter, a rise of 9.3% from the year ago quarter. Analysts are forecasting total revenue of $116.9 million for the year, a rise of 9.5% from last year’s revenue of $106.8 million.

A Look Back: In the first quarter, profit fell 23.7% to $1 million (4 cents a share) from $1.3 million (5 cents a share) the year earlier, missing analyst expectations. Revenue rose 9.6% to $25.4 million from $23.2 million.

Key Stats:

Revenue has risen the past four quarters. Revenue rose 10.1% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year from the year earlier, climbed 17.5% in the third quarter of the last fiscal year from the year-ago quarter and 18.8% in the second quarter of the last fiscal year.

The decrease in profit in the first quarter broke a streak of two consecutive quarters of year-over-year profit increases. Net income rose 10.1% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year and 30.1% in the third quarter of the last fiscal year.

Competitors to Watch: Apollo Group, Inc. , Corinthian Colleges, Inc. , DeVry Inc. , Grand Canyon Education Inc , Career Education Corp. , American Public Education, Inc. , Education Management Corp , Bridgepoint Education, Inc. , Strayer Education, Inc. , and Lincoln Educational Services Corp. .

Stock Price Performance: During October 4, 2011 to December 29, 2011, the stock price had fallen 78 cents (-9.6%) from $8.16 to $7.38. The stock price saw one of its best stretches over the last year between June 21, 2011 and June 29, 2011 when shares rose for seven-straight days, rising 17% (+$1.36) over that span. It saw one of its worst periods between May 9, 2011 and May 17, 2011 when shares fell for seven-straight days, falling 9.2% (-68 cents) over that span. Shares are up 16 cents (+2.2%) year to date.

(Company fundamentals by Xignite Financials. Earnings estimates provided by Zacks)

Investing Insights: Here’s Why Chipotle’s Stock Keeps Winning.

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