Following Chipotle's Q3 earnings report, Morgan Stanley analyst John Glass called the company's adjusted EPS "reasonably consistent" with his and buyside estimates and its SSS growth "better than feared." However, he also noted that unit growth will likely decelerate to 6% in 2018 from about 12% in 2016, adding that while the slower growth may be beneficial to operations it also has negative valuation implications. He lowered his price target on Chipotle shares to $310 from $350 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the name.

Raymond James analyst Brian Vaccaro raised the firm's price target on Chipotle (CMG) to $3,300 from $3,200 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm maintains a selective stance towards its restaurant coverage universe as industry sales have underwhelmed in recent months, causing Raymond James to increasingly favor stocks it view as having "idiosyncratic factors trading at attractive valuations," such as Brinker (EAT), Shake Shack (SHAK), First Watch (FWRG) and Bloomin' Brands (BLMN), the analyst tells investors in a group earnings preview note.

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced the opening of its first location in Kuwait City in partnership with leading international franchise retail operator Alshaya Group. The restaurant has been operating with adjusted hours since the beginning of the month to account for holidays and training and will hold its official grand opening on April 23. Chipotle's location in Kuwait marks the first time the company has entered a new country in over 10 years. The new restaurant is located at The Avenues, Kuwait's largest shopping mall and a hub for international and local brands with over 1,100 stores and approximately one million visitors per week.