About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Gets a New Look

By: MarketBeat

Cracker Barrel Old Country store

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (NASDAQ: CBRL) hits fresh long-term lows weekly, unlike virtually every other restaurant stock. After the pandemic, the brand fell out of favor, and the business was slow to respond, leaving investors little choice but to flee. The market is trading at the lowest levels since before the pandemic, which is saying quite a lot, given the depths of the sell-off in 2020, but a turnaround is in sight.

Cracker Barrel shocked the market by cutting its dividend by 80% weeks before the FQ3 earnings report was released. The cut was not completely unexpected but still a surprise, given the size. The upshot is that the cut is a preemptive move by management that will preserve the balance sheet and provide cash flow for the next phase of business. That phase includes refining the brand, remodeling stores, and narrowing the menu to focus on profitable growth while maintaining customer satisfaction.

The impact on the cash flow and balance sheet will be meaningful. The 80% reduction in quarterly payout is sufficient to offset the cash burn reported in Q3 and provide positive cash flow for reinvestment. The balance sheet is a fortress with leverage near 1.0X equity and will likely remain so despite increased CAPEX. Plans for 2025 include twenty-five store remodels based on research this year and a lean into CRM-focused service, including loyalty rewards.

Cracker Barrel Struggles in Q3 but Profits Top Estimates

Cracker Barrel struggled in Q3, with revenue of $817.1 million falling nearly 2.0% compared to last year and missing the consensus by $3.5 million. Due to the mix, the miss is slim but telling; restaurant sales are down 1.5% and outpaced many in the industry, but retail is down by 3.8% as consumers pull back on spending. 

Margin news is mixed. The company margins narrowed on all levels due to deleveraging and costs, but less than expected. The 130-basis-point contraction in adjusted EBITDA margin and 60-basis-point contraction in net adjusted net margin left the earnings down 20.7%, but $0.88 is better than expected. The adjusted EPS outpaced the Marketbeat.com consensus by $0.22, or more than 3000 basis points.

Guidance is favorable. The company reiterated its guidance for the year, suggesting that Q4 will be better than the analysts' forecasts, sequentially better than Q3, and up compared to last year. It is more than sufficient to sustain the dividend at its new rate of about 2.0% to investors buying at $46.

Cracker Barrel Is In Deep-Value Territory

Shares of Cracker Barrel entered deep-value territory when they fell below $48. That is the low end of the analysts' target range, suggesting there is nowhere for the market to go but higher. Analysts rate CBRL at a consensus Hold, which is unlikely to change. However, the latest activity, which came after the dividend cut, is leading the market to the ranges’ low end. So, the upside may be limited until later in the year when and if turnaround efforts positively impact the results. 

The technical action suggests CBRL stock could be at a bottom and even rebound, but the odds of a strong rebound are low. The market has overextended and appears ready for a relief rally but may not sustain a complete reversal until the turnaround gains traction. The more likely scenario is that this stock will become range-bound at the new lows until there is evidence of improving business. Until then, there is a risk the market could hit a new low. In that event, this stock could fall another 20% to the $38 level before hitting solid support. 

Cracker Barrel stock chart

More News

View More
Carmakers Step in With Incentives as EV Tax Credit Expires
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy Government
Tickers F GM TSLA
Buy the Dip? Zillow’s Profit Comeback Meets Market Pressure
Via MarketBeat
Topics Lawsuit
Tickers ZG
Don’t Miss These 3 Hidden Aerospace Gems Before They Take Off
Via MarketBeat
Tickers DCO EH ERJ EVEX JOBY
AI Meets Nuclear: Palantir’s Role in Energy Expansion
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence Government
Tickers CEG MSFT OKLO PLTR
3 High P/E Stocks Justified by Future Upside Potential
Via MarketBeat
Tickers ONON ROKU SPOT
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.