THE HEDGEYE BREAKFAST MONITOR
MACRO NOTES
Small-business confidence
Yesterday, recession fears continue to weigh on U.S. small-business confidence, as the NFIB Index moved slightly higher in September, rising from 88.1 to 88.9.
The gain snaps a streak of six consecutive monthly declines. Despite the improvement, the index remains depressed, having been below 90 for three consecutive months. There was no noticeable improvement in the details; it is clear small businesses are in no rush to expand.
Commodities
Corn and wheat prices have driven higher over the past week. News emerging today from the government states that the U.S. corn crop, the world’s largest, will be 0.5% smaller than forecast last month after unusually hot weather in July and freezing temperatures in September reduced yields.
SUBSECTOR PERFORMANCE
Food processor stocks have slowed as corn prices reversed the downward slide that had been helping the outlook of TSN, SAFM, and the rest of the industry.
QUICK SERVICE
CMG: An article in Fortune, published yesterday, is highly critical of Chipotle’s new concept, ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen.
CASUAL DINING
EAT: GS resumed coverage of Brinker at Neutral with a price target of $21.
EAT: Chili’s Grill and Bar opened its first restaurant in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
DRI: Coverage of Darden was resumed at Goldman Sachs at Buy
CAKE: Coverage of The Cheesecake Factory was resumed at Goldman Sachs at Sell
PFCB: PFCB was resumed Neutral at GS, price target is $29.
Howard Penney
Managing Director
Rory Green
Analyst