Shares of Aramark (ARMK) tumbled 6.65% in pre-market trading on Monday after the food service company reported fourth-quarter earnings that fell short of analyst expectations. The disappointing results, coupled with a cautious outlook for fiscal 2026, sparked investor concerns about the company's near-term growth prospects.
For the fourth quarter, Aramark posted revenue of $5.048 billion, representing a 14% year-over-year increase but missing the analyst consensus estimate of $5.164 billion. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.57, up from $0.54 in the same period last year, but fell short of the expected $0.65 per share. The company attributed the revenue growth to substantial new business wins and high retention levels, with an additional boost from the 53rd week in the fiscal year.
Looking ahead, Aramark provided its fiscal 2026 outlook, projecting revenue between $19.55 billion and $19.95 billion, and adjusted earnings per share in the range of $2.18 to $2.28. While the company anticipates organic revenue growth of 7-9% and adjusted EPS growth of 20-25%, the guidance appears to have failed to impress investors, contributing to the stock's pre-market decline. The market reaction suggests that investors may be concerned about Aramark's ability to meet growth expectations in an increasingly challenging economic environment.
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