U.S. stocks ended mixed on Monday as investors weighed concerns over AI spending, rising Treasury yields, and the possibility that the Federal Reserve may maintain a hawkish stance on interest rates.
Nasdaq fell sharply 1.3% to 26,167, as large technology companies such as Alphabet (GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta Platforms (META) sold off.
Meanwhile, S&P 500 fell 0.4% to 7,473.
Chart of the Day
Here is the one-year chart of Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) as of May 19, 2026, when the stock was at $34.
Chipotle stock has fallen from $51 to $34 during out last four quarterly research reports amid concerns on slowing same-store sales and margin pressure. While last quarter’s results showed a return to positive same-store sales growth of 1% — driven by improved transaction volumes and menu changes — earnings momentum remained under pressure as profit growth was -17% year-over-year.
Despite a 7% increase in revenue last quarter, Chipotle’s profits declined 17% due to higher beef, labor, and freight expenses. Restaurant-level operating margin decreased to 23.7% compared to 26.2% a year ago, while operating margin was down to 12.9% from 16.7% a year earlier.
For 2026, management maintained guidance for flat comparable sales, citing a cautious outlook amid shifting consumer trends despite confidence in its long-term “Recipe for Growth” strategy. The company plans to open 350–370 new restaurants, including 10–15 partner-operated stores in the Middle East, South Korea, and Mexico, though some Middle East openings may be delayed due to geopolitical conditions.
CMG is on the radar for the Growth Portfolio.
