Krispy Kreme, Inc.

Сильный индекс, значительно вырос. Быки крепко уверены в своих позициях.

Strong index, significantly up. The bulls are very confident in their positions.

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Рынок не поддерживает быков.

Strong index, flat. The market does not support the bulls.

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Отток средств из лонгов резко увеличился и находится на высоком уровне.

Strong index, significantly down. The outflow of funds from longs has increased sharply and is at a high level.

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Krispy Kreme (DNUT) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – August 10, 2026 – Zacks Equity Research shares Amazon.com AMZN as the Bull of the Day and Krispy Kreme DNUT as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Charles Schwab SCHW, Interactive Brokers Group IBKR and Robinhood Markets HOOD.
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
Amazon.com, the e-commerce and cloud-computing giant, has broken out to new highs following a standout quarterly earnings report that appears to have materially improved the investment case.
AWS growth accelerated sharply, margins expanded and Amazon disclosed that its custom AI chip business has reached a roughly $25 billion annualized revenue run rate. Advertising growth also remained strong, while the company continues to invest aggressively in AI infrastructure.
More importantly, the results provided some of the clearest evidence yet that hyperscaler AI spending can generate substantial returns. That appears to have shifted the broader narrative around AI capex from one centered on cost and free cash flow toward one increasingly focused on monetization and earnings growth.
Wall Street has responded quickly, with earnings estimates revised sharply higher over the past week. Combined with a top Zacks Rank, accelerating price momentum and a valuation that remains compelling relative to Amazon's history, AMZN currently stands out as one of the most attractive stocks in the Magnificent Seven.
AMZN Estimates Snaps Higher After Earnings Report
Following Amazon's stellar quarterly results, analysts moved quickly to raise their earnings expectations. Most notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year has jumped 47.6% to $13.06 per share.
Based on that outlook, AMZN now trades at just 20.8x forward earnings, a compelling valuation given the company's growth profile and improving profitability.
Sales are expected to increase 15.7% this year and another 14% next year, while EPS are projected to grow 18.7% annually over the long term. With estimates moving sharply higher and the valuation remaining relatively modest, Amazon offers an attractive combination of growth, earnings momentum and multiple expansion potential.
Shares of Amazon on the Verge of Another Breakout
Amazon shares surged nearly 25% in the days following earnings, pushing the stock to new record highs. Since then, AMZN has spent the last several sessions consolidating those gains in a tight bull flag just below the highs.
A decisive breakout above the consolidation, near the $280 level, could signal the start of another leg higher. With earnings estimates rising sharply and fundamental momentum accelerating, the technical setup provides another bullish signal for the stock.
Should Investors Buy Shares in AMZN?
Amazon currently checks nearly every box investors should be looking for: accelerating growth, sharply rising earnings estimates, a reasonable valuation and strong price momentum.
The setup is somewhat reminiscent of Alphabet in early 2025, when improving fundamentals and a compressed valuation eventually forced investors to re-rate the stock higher. Amazon may now be entering a similar phase.
With AWS accelerating, AI monetization becoming more visible and shares pressing against another breakout level, AMZN stands out as one of the most compelling opportunities in the Magnificent Seven today.
Krispy Kreme, the iconic doughnut chain, has been a major disappointment since returning to the public markets in 2021. Shares have lost the vast majority of their value as weak unit economics, slowing US growth and an increasingly burdensome debt load overwhelmed what initially looked like an attractive expansion story.
The failed McDonald's rollout only added to those problems. Krispy Kreme had hoped its hub-and-spoke distribution network could dramatically expand product availability, but the strategy proved costly to operate and many delivery locations failed to generate sufficient returns. At the same time, elevated interest expense and years of negative earnings left the company with very little financial flexibility.
There are finally some signs of improvement. Krispy Kreme's turnaround plan is focused on refranchising international markets, reducing debt and concentrating investment on its most profitable opportunities. First-quarter adjusted EBITDA increased 38%, free cash flow turned positive and net leverage fell to 5.5x from 6.7x the previous quarter.
Unfortunately, Wall Street is not yet convinced the turnaround will translate into sustainable earnings growth yet. Analysts have continued to cut estimates, while revenues are expected to contract this year and again next year, earning DNUT a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
It pains me somewhat to make Krispy Kreme the Bear of the Day, I remain a huge fan of the product, but the stock and the doughnuts are two very different things. There may ultimately be an attractive recovery story here, especially if deleveraging continues, but it is difficult to get constructive until earnings estimates finally begin trending higher.
Analysts Downgrade DNUT Stock
Earnings estimates for Krispy Kreme have been trending lower for several years, and that negative revision cycle remains intact. Over the recent period, the consensus estimate for next quarter has fallen 14.9%, while next year's estimate has been cut by 43%. The current-year outlook was revised slightly higher, but only from a loss of $0.07 per share to a loss of $0.06.
Krispy Kreme did manage to beat expectations in its latest quarterly report, but those estimates were already set at depressed levels. More importantly, the broader growth outlook remains weak. Sales are currently projected to decline 13.1% this year and another 9% next year.
Until those revenue trends stabilize and analysts begin raising earnings expectations more meaningfully, it is difficult to make a convincing case that DNUT's fundamental turnaround has taken hold.
Should Investors Avoid DNUT Stock?
For now, I think the answer is yes. Krispy Kreme is making progress on debt reduction and cash flow, but the operating outlook remains too weak to overlook. Revenue is still expected to contract, earnings estimates continue to move lower and leverage remains elevated.
That does not mean the turnaround cannot eventually work. If sales stabilize, deleveraging continues and estimate revisions finally turn positive, DNUT could become an interesting recovery story. Until then, however, there is not enough fundamental evidence to justify stepping in front of the negative earnings trend.
Additional content:
Schwab Stock Gains +6% in a Month: Buy Now or Wait for a Pullback?
Charles Schwab, one of the leading brokerage firms in the United States, has seen its stock rise almost 6% in a month. The company's shares even hit an all-time high of $109.05 during yesterday's trading session.
Schwab's peers, Interactive Brokers Group and Robinhood Markets, have recorded 7.9% and 20.1% declines, respectively, over the same period. The stock has also outperformed than the industry and the S&P 500.
What Fueled the Surge in SCHW Stock?
As illustrated in the chart above, Schwab shares began trending higher following the release of its second-quarter 2026 results on July 21. The stock has since sustained much of that momentum, extending its upward run despite intermittent periods of sideways trading.
SCHW's earnings and revenues comfortably surpassed the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate, supported by broad-based strength across its businesses. Net revenues reached a record level, driven by robust trading activity, rising demand for advisory services and a stable interest-rate environment since December 2025. Revenues climbed 21% year over year to $7.07 billion, while total client assets reached a record $13.08 trillion.
Schwab added 1.4 million new brokerage accounts during the quarter. As of June 30, 2026, the company had 39.8 million active brokerage accounts, 2.4 million banking accounts and 5.9 million corporate retirement plan participants.
Further, clients' Daily Average Trades (DATs) surged to a record 11.9 million. Though management does not expect this elevated pace to persist, it now projects DATs of approximately 10.6 million for 2026, up from roughly 8.7 million targeted in the Investor Day scenario, reflecting record year-to-date trading activity.
This, along with favorable trends in trading, lending and equity markets, prompted Schwab to raise its 2026 revenue growth outlook to 17.5-18.5% year over year. Previously, the company had projected revenue growth in the 14-15% range.
These factors helped fuel the rally in Schwab shares. The advance was further aided by broader market strength, supported by robust corporate earnings, favorable macroeconomic trends and some easing of concerns surrounding the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Other Factors Supporting Schwab
Schwab has continued to build scale in advice and managed investing, which generates higher revenue per client asset than self-directed activity. This has supported steady growth in wealth and banking solutions. Total managed investing solutions revenues recorded a CAGR of 11.1% over the five years ended 2025, while total client assets witnessed a 12.2% CAGR. Both metrics continued to advance in the first half of 2026.
Prior acquisitions, including TD Ameritrade, USAA's IMCO assets, Wasmer Schroeder and Motif, have strengthened Schwab's distribution reach and product capabilities, while Forge adds exposure to private markets. The company's scale across retail brokerage and RIA custody continues to support durable account growth and net new asset inflows, even during periods of market volatility.
Schwab is also expanding its adviser base and plans to open roughly a dozen new branches in 2026. Its Teen Investor account further broadens the company's reach among younger clients and supports long-term relationships. Over time, this continued shift toward advice and managed solutions should enhance monetization of its growing client asset base while reducing reliance on more cyclical trading revenues.
Schwab is moving from product development to rollout, aiming to deepen client engagement and expand fee-based growth. The company launched Portfolio Insights, its first generative AI tool for retail clients, and plans to introduce generative search on schwab.com and an Investor AI assistant in 2026. Like Interactive Brokers and Robinhood, Schwab is expanding into spot cryptocurrency trading, initially offering Bitcoin and Ether. These offerings are designed to personalize advice, improve service efficiency and broaden distribution while retaining human oversight and safeguards.
Schwab's balance sheet and earnings profile support ongoing capital distributions. The company remains focused on maintaining a low-cost capital structure, which has been supporting its capital distributions. In January 2026, it announced a 19% hike in the quarterly dividend to 32 cents per share. In the past five years, the company raised dividend payouts five times. Schwab announced a new repurchase plan worth $20 billion in July 2025. Management expects to maintain a 20-30% payout of GAAP earnings in the near term.
Analyst Sentiments Bullish for Schwab
Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved higher to $6.46 and $7.83, respectively. This implies year-over-year growth of 32.7% for 2026 and 21.1% for 2027.
Schwab's Valuation Analysis
Schwab's valuation remains a point of contention. The stock's forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is higher than the industry average, indicating that much of its expected growth is already factored into the stock price. This leaves little room for error and makes the stock vulnerable to any unfavorable developments or earnings misses.
Schwab is currently trading at a trailing 12-month forward P/E of 14.48X, which is above the industry average of 14.00X.
In contrast, the SCHW stock is inexpensive compared with Interactive Brokers and Robinhood. At present, Interactive Brokers is trading at 28.87X forward 12-month P/E and Robinhood at 38.17X.
Should You Buy Schwab Stock or Stay on the Sidelines?
Despite elevated expenses, competitive pressures and sensitivity to market activity, Schwab's growth prospects remain compelling. Strong client asset growth, record trading activity, expanding managed investing revenues and rising brokerage accounts support its earnings trajectory.
Management's higher 2026 revenue outlook, upward earnings estimate revisions and continued investments in AI, advisory services and digital assets further strengthen the long-term story. Moreover, SCHW trades at a substantial discount to Interactive Brokers and Robinhood despite solid fundamentals and improving growth visibility.
Supported by robust capital returns and durable scale advantages, the recent rally does not appear overextended, making Schwab stock worth buying at current levels.
SCHW carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Amazon.com and Krispy Kreme have been highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day

Krispy Kreme Company Overview
Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) stock Krispy Kreme (DNUT) is a Charlotte-based. Globally recognized sweet treat brand, best known for its signature “Original Glazed” doughnut. Krispy Kreme’s company model consists of a fresh doughnut shop network (known for the “Hot Now” sign), retail strategic partnerships, and e-commerce and delivery growth. The company operates mainly in the US and Canada; however, its international footprint extends to the UK, Australia, and Mexico. In addition, the company has a diversified sweet treat portfolio that includes entities like Insomnia Cookies. That said, Krispy Kreme’s success mainly depends on its fresh doughnuts segment.
America’s Newfound Health Kick
The COVID-19 Pandemic was a tough time for many Americans, which led to solitude, mental health issues, job loss, and, for some, the loss of loved ones. However, the COVID-19 silver lining is that, with extra time and a work-from-home-environment, many Americans discovered the importance of health. In addition, data from the COVID-19 virus conclusively showed that death from the virus (and many other viruses, for that matter) can largely be sidestepped if the patient is not overweight.
Though New Year’s health resolutions are nothing new, a 2025 Ipsos poll found that “Younger Americans are particularly likely to resolve to healthier living – and even if you’ve been keeping up with Gen Z wellness trends, the extent of that enthusiasm is striking.
Krispy Kreme Earnings Plunge
While not all young people will stick with their resolutions, a long overdue seismic shift appears to be taking place in America. Health influencers such as Gary Brecka and Andrew Huberman have gained millions of followers over the past few years, and young people are listening. That’s terrible news for Krispy Kreme, which has endured an EPS plunge from $0.24 in 2022 to just $.06 today.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Government Oversight Risk
Former Independent Presidential Candidate and current Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F Kennedy Jr. is intent on “fixing the food” to “Make America Healthy Again.” RFK aims to end subsidies for junk food and sugary drinks, eliminate ultra-processed foods, and develop dietary guidelines to educate Americans. While RFK has just started his new role, he is already making waves. For instance, an RFK social media post that received millions of views read, “Congratulations SteaknShake on being the first national fast-food chain to begin the transition away from seed oils. Thanks for leadership in the crusade to Make America Healthy Again.” While RFK may not be able to shut down restaurants like Krispy Kreme, his influence on the national stage may impact on American dietary habits.
Bottom Line
Krispy Kreme, a globally recognized sweet treat brand heavily reliant on its fresh doughnut segment, faces significant challenges as American dietary habits shift towards healthier lifestyles.
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Krispy Kreme, Inc. (DNUT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Bear of the Day: Krispy Kreme (DNUT)

(RTTNews) - Doughnut chain Krispy Kreme, Inc. (DNUT) announced on Friday that it will launch its Autumn Seasonal Collection on August 11, bringing back Pumpkin Spice and adding two new doughnuts and a new latte.
The limited-time lineup will be available at participating U.S. shops and for pickup and delivery via the company's app and website while supplies last.
The collection features four doughnuts- the returning Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut, a Biscoff Cookie Butter Doughnut, new Maple Cheesecake and new Cafe Mocha doughnut.
Krispy Kreme is also adding two seasonal beverages- the returning Pumpkin Spice Latte and a new Apple Crisp Latte.
The company said additional seasonal experiences will roll out later in August and throughout September.
Krispy Kreme did not disclose pricing for the new items.
In pre market activity on the Nasdaq, shares of Krispy Kreme were up 0.62 percent, changing hands at $3.2500, after closing Thursday's regular session 4.19 percent higher.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Krispy Kreme Brings Back Pumpkin Spice, Launches Autumn Collection On August 11

Key Points
Krispy Kreme continues to expand its omni-channel reach through 14,000 fresh points of access across global markets.
McDonald's maintains a dominant global footprint with over 45,000 restaurants and a resilient franchise-led business model.
Which of these recognized dining brands offers the best path for your investment portfolio as we move through 2026?
Choosing between growth potential and established stability is a classic investor dilemma. Today, we compare Krispy Kreme (NASDAQ:DNUT) and McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) to determine which food giant is the better buy.
Krispy Kreme is working to transform from a traditional doughnut shop into a global sweet-treat brand with high accessibility. McDonald's remains the world's leading fast-food chain, leveraging immense scale to maintain its market share. Both companies are navigating shifting consumer habits and supply chain pressures in the current economic environment.
The case for Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme operates a Hub and Spoke model, producing fresh doughnuts at larger shops and delivering them daily to thousands of grocery and retail locations. The company manages a critical distribution partnership with BakeMark USA, which handles supplies for most of North America. This strategy aims to maximize the brand's presence without the overhead of building full-service kitchens in every neighborhood.
In its 2025 fiscal year (FY), revenue reached $1.5 billion, representing a decline of 8.6% compared to the prior year. The company reported a net loss of $515.8 million during this period. The net margin, which reveals the percentage of revenue remaining after all costs, was -33.9%, reflecting a challenging year for the brand's bottom line among food stocks.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was 2.2x. This ratio measures total debt against shareholder equity, suggesting the company relies significantly on borrowed funds. The current ratio, which compares short-term assets to short-term liabilities, was 0.4x. Free cash flow, or the cash left after capital projects, was negative $64 million. Note that stock-based compensation (SBC) represented 37.9% of operating cash flow, which inflates reported cash generation since SBC is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement.
The case for McDonald's
McDonald's serves millions of customers daily across 114 countries, primarily through its network of over 45,000 restaurants. The business model leans heavily on franchisees, who operate the vast majority of these locations and pay royalties to the parent company. While its 70-year partnership with The Coca-Cola Company remains iconic, the company has recently explored new beverage options to keep its menu relevant.
For FY 2025, the company generated revenue of $26.9 billion, a growth of 3.7% over the previous year. Net income for the period was $8.6 billion. The net margin remained robust at 31.9%, indicating the company's ability to retain a significant portion of its sales as profit even while facing higher ingredient and labor costs.
On its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was -30.6x, indicating that total liabilities exceed shareholder equity. This is due to the company’s strategy of prioritizing returns to investors, using profits to fund stock buybacks, which artificially reduces shareholder equity. The current ratio, which shows the ability to cover immediate debts, was 1.0x. McDonald's generated significant free cash flow of $7.2 billion in FY 2025. This cash provides the company with ample resources to fund dividends, buy back shares, or invest in new digital ordering technologies.
Risk profile comparison
Krispy Kreme faces risks from cybersecurity vulnerabilities, following recent data breaches that led to legal settlements. The company also deals with supply chain concentration, as it depends on a single vendor for its glaze flavoring and a primary distributor for North America. High financial leverage and a dependency on third-party franchisees to execute its capital-light strategy add further complexity. Competition from other beverage and snack providers like Starbucks remains a constant pressure on its growth goals.
McDonald's is currently managing litigation risks, including class-action lawsuits regarding food safety and product claims. The company is also under scrutiny for labor practices and regulatory compliance involving teenage employees in certain markets. Potential volatility in its long-term supply alliances, particularly if foundational partnerships shift, could disrupt operations. Furthermore, the company faces intense competition from rivals such as Restaurant Brands International, who are aggressively pursuing value-oriented customers.
Valuation comparison
McDonald's appears more attractively valued on an earnings basis, while Krispy Kreme trades at a much lower multiple of its annual sales.
Forward P/E
35.8x
20.7x
288.6x
P/S ratio
0.4x
7.1x
n/a
Sector benchmark uses the SPDR XLP sector ETF. Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.
Which stock would I buy in 2026?
Digging into Krispy Kreme and McDonald's reveals the better stock to buy is the latter. Krispy Kreme may look more attractive from a valuation perspective, given its much lower price-to-sales ratio, but there’s a reason why its sales multiple is so low.
Krispy Kreme had a partnership with McDonald's that ended in 2025, driving the donut company’s stock price down. Moreover, it amassed huge debt on its balance sheet. It exited its fiscal first quarter, ended March 29, with nearly $900 million in debt.
Krispy Kreme’s sales are in decline, since it decided to close unprofitable stores. This strategy helped it reduce costs, but it still resulted in a fiscal Q1 net loss of $22.7 million. The company is in turnaround mode as it works to strengthen its financial health.
McDonald's is a large, profitable business with rising sales. In the first quarter, it posted 9% year-over-year revenue growth to $6.5 billion. Its Q1 net income increased 6% year over year to nearly $2 billion. Given that McDonald's is the stronger operation, it’s a better investment than Krispy Kreme right now.
Should you buy stock in Krispy Kreme right now?
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Robert Izquierdo has positions in Coca-Cola and Starbucks. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Starbucks. The Motley Fool recommends Restaurant Brands International and recommends the following options: long January 2028 $320 calls on McDonald's and short January 2028 $340 calls on McDonald's. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Krispy Kreme vs. McDonald's: Which Restaurant Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Key Points
CAVA Group continues to see rapid growth and positive net income as it scales its Mediterranean fast-casual concept across the United States.
Krispy Kreme is executing a strategic pivot toward a capital-light model by expanding third-party retail access points and refranchising shops.
Which stock offers the better balance of growth potential and valuation for your portfolio in 2026?
Investors are currently weighing the high-growth trajectory of a Mediterranean grill against the global turnaround of a doughnut icon. Choosing between CAVA Group (NYSE:CAVA) and Krispy Kreme (NASDAQ:DNUT) requires deciding between premium pricing and recovery potential.
CAVA has established itself as a leader in healthy, customizable meals, while Krispy Kreme is focused on maximizing its "points of access" through grocery and digital partnerships. Both companies are fighting for consumer dollars in a crowded market, making their distinct financial paths a key focus for long-term investors.
The case for CAVA
CAVA Group is a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant brand that focuses on serving healthful food and bold flavors to a growing customer base. As it expands its footprint among retail stocks in the dining space, the company operates roughly 459 locations across 26 states. It maintains a vertically integrated supply chain with over 50 grower and rancher partners, including single-source suppliers for ingredients such as olive oil.
In FY 2025, revenue reached nearly $1.2 billion, up approximately 22.4% from the prior year. This helped generate a net income of about $63.7 million, though the net margin contracted to roughly 5.4% from the previous year. The company relies on its own restaurants and third-party delivery platforms to drive these sales volumes.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was roughly 0.6x, indicating the extent to which debt is used relative to shareholders’ equity. The current ratio stands at approximately 2.7x, indicating a strong ability to cover short-term financial obligations with current assets. Free cash flow for the period was nearly $26.1 million, which is the cash a business generates after paying for all its operations and equipment costs.
The case for Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme operates as a global doughnut and coffee brand with more than 14,000 fresh points of access across 35 countries. The company uses an omni-channel approach, selling through its own shops, digital delivery, and major retail partners like grocery and convenience stores. It relies on an exclusive distribution partnership with BakeMark USA for most of its ingredients and supplies in North America.
In FY 2025, revenue declined by about 8.6% to approximately $1.5 billion compared to the previous year. The company reported a significant net loss of nearly $515.8 million, resulting in a negative net margin of roughly 33.9%. This reflects the ongoing costs associated with its business model transition and strategic refranchising efforts.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was approximately 2.2x, suggesting greater reliance on debt financing. The current ratio was nearly 0.4x, meaning current liabilities exceed current assets, and free cash flow was negative at approximately $64.0 million. Note that stock-based compensation accounted for roughly 37.9% of operating cash flow, thereby inflating reported cash generation, since SBC is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement.
Risk profile comparison
CAVA faces significant risks from its supply chain concentration, as it relies on a limited number of suppliers for critical ingredients, which could lead to disruptions. The company must also execute perfectly on its growth plans, as opening new locations involves construction delays and the risk of cannibalizing sales from existing sites. Additionally, any food safety incident at its restaurants or through competitors like Chipotle Mexican Grill can damage consumer trust across the entire category.
Krispy Kreme is navigating risks associated with its high debt load and the execution of its complex turnaround plan. The company depends heavily on single-source suppliers for its proprietary glaze flavoring and equipment, creating a vulnerability if production fails. It also faces intense competition from larger players like McDonald's and Starbucks, while its shift to a franchised model reduces direct control over shop quality and safety standards.
Valuation comparison
Krispy Kreme offers a lower sales multiple, but CAVA is the only one of the two currently generating positive net income for its shareholders.
Forward P/E
140.0x
61.4x
28.6x
P/S ratio
7.7x
0.4x
n/a
Sector benchmark uses the SPDR XLY sector ETF.
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.
Which stock would I buy in 2026?
Choosing between Cava and Krispy Kreme is an exercise in finding stocks that match your investing strategy. While both companies offer interesting potential, they do so for very different reasons. Cava, for example, maintains a lofty valuation thanks to its strong sales growth (up 32% in Q1) and leadership in its unique, better-for-you fast-casual niche. On the other hand, Krispy Kreme is deeply discounted, but heavily indebted and in the midst of a major turnaround.
If you like a good contrarian investment, Krispy Kreme may be a better bet, provided its turnaround gains traction. If you prefer a growth stock, Cava is the hands-down winner. Personally, I think Cava is the far superior investment option. However, the stock still has plenty of growing to do to live up to its premium valuation. That said, Cava just opened 20 new locations in Q1, bringing its footprint to 459 stores, highlighting how heavily it is leaning into its growth plans.
Meanwhile, Krispy Kreme is continuing its refranchising strategy to become a more capital-light business. The company now expects to generate $15 million in free cash flow in 2026, but hasn’t generated meaningful, consistent profits or cash flow over the last five years. I’d personally rather give Krispy Kreme some time and see the turnaround take hold before buying.
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Josh Kohn-Lindquist has positions in Cava Group and Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cava Group, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Starbucks. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $320 calls on McDonald's, short January 2028 $340 calls on McDonald's, and short June 2026 $36 calls on Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

CAVA vs. Krispy Kreme: Which Consumer Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

(RTTNews) - Krispy Kreme, Inc. (DNUT) on Monday unveiled its Summer Seasonal Collection, featuring new doughnuts and frozen lemonade drinks available for a limited time at participating U.S. locations starting June 16.
The summer lineup includes the new Original Glazed Strawberry Cake Doughnut and Lemon Bar Doughnut, along with returning favorites Key Lime Pie Doughnut and Cannoli Inspired Doughnut.
In addition to its classic Frozen Lemonade and Strawberry Chillers, Krispy Kreme is also introducing two limited-time drinks for the summer season: Watermelon Infused Lemonade Chiller and Mango Infused Lemonade Chiller.
The company said the Summer Seasonal Collection will replace its Spring Seasonal Collection, which included HERSHEY'S Double Chocolate, Strawberries and Kreme, Banana Pudding and Original Glazed Blueberry Cake doughnuts.
Krispy Kreme shares closed at $4.31 on Friday, up 2.62%.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Krispy Kreme Launches Summer Seasonal Doughnuts, Lemonade Chillers

In trading on Wednesday, grocery & drug stores shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 3.1%. Leading the group were shares of Casey's General Stores, up about 15.5% and shares of Krispy Kreme up about 5.6% on the day.
Also showing relative strength are oil & gas exploration & production shares, up on the day by about 3% as a group, led by W & T Offshore, trading up by about 10.6% and HighPeak Energy, trading up by about 8.6% on Wednesday.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Wednesday Sector Leaders: Grocery & Drug Stores, Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Stocks

Bargain hunters are wise to pay careful attention to insider buying, because although there are many various reasons for an insider to sell a stock, presumably the only reason they would use their hard-earned cash to make a purchase, is that they expect to make money. Today we look at two noteworthy recent insider buys.
On Wednesday, Globant's Director, Alejandro Nicolas Aguzin, made a $971,838 buy of GLOB, purchasing 25,000 shares at a cost of $38.87 a piece. So far Aguzin is in the green, up about 3.4% on their purchase based on today's trading high of $40.21. Globant is trading up about 0.6% on the day Friday. This purchase marks the first one filed by Aguzin in the past year.
And on Thursday, Director Bernardo Hees bought $768,718 worth of Krispy Kreme, buying 225,077 shares at a cost of $3.42 a piece. Krispy Kreme is trading up about 3.4% on the day Friday. So far Hees is in the green, up about 7.7% on their purchase based on today's trading high of $3.68.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Friday 5/29 Insider Buying Report: GLOB, DNUT

Colgate-Palmolive Company CL is striving for a balance between volume and pricing, rather than relying solely on price increases to drive revenues. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company highlighted that it witnessed improved volume performance, particularly within the Asia Pacific region. Excluding the impact from the private label pet food exit, the company achieved both volume and pricing growth across all four categories and in four of its five operating divisions, reflecting broad-based business momentum.
The company stated that industry-wide category volumes remain relatively sluggish globally, making the recent acceleration in volume growth particularly encouraging. Management highlighted that volume improvement compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 was broad-based, with growth observed across nearly all divisions and categories in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. This trend was strongest in emerging markets, which the company views as a primary growth engine. Management noted that the Asia Pacific region was a significant contributor to accelerating growth trends, while Latin America continued delivering solid volume performance and market share gains.
However, pricing remains a critical lever navigating the inflationary environment and maintaining pricing power remains a key priority across the business. Management highlighted that pricing actions continue to be important for protecting margin dollars and supporting category investment. The company also emphasized that future pricing initiatives will increasingly be supported by innovation and strong value propositions across multiple price points. Management expects innovation-led pricing opportunities to continue through the remainder of the year as it focuses on balancing pricing strategy with consumer value.
Overall, Colgate appears increasingly balanced between pricing and volume growth, with emerging market momentum, innovation-led demand and pricing discipline supporting sustainable revenue growth and margin protection.
Zacks Rundown for CL
Colgate’s shares have gained 11.7% in the past six months against the industry’s decline of 4.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CL trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 23X, higher than the industry’s average of 17.68X. CL currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CL’s 2026 and 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 3.5% and 5.6%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
ARKO Corp. ARKO operates a chain of convenience stores in the United States. ARKO currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARKO's current fiscal-year sales implies a decline of 2.8%, while the same for current fiscal-year earnings implies growth of 93.3% from the year-ago reported figures. ARKO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 43.2%, on average.
Kenvue Inc. KVUE operates as a consumer health company in the United States, the rest of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific and Latin America. KVUE currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KVUE's current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 3.2% and 7.4%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. KVUE delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 12.1%, on average.
Krispy Kreme, Inc. DNUT produces doughnuts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and internationally. At present, DNUT Carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DNUT’s current fiscal-year sales implies a decline of 14%, and the same for earnings implies growth of 80% from the year-ago reported figures. DNUT delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 6.3%, on average.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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