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Monro Muffler Brake (MNRO)
NASDAQ:MNRO

Monro Muffler (MNRO) AI Stock Analysis

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MNRO

Monro Muffler

(NASDAQ:MNRO)

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Neutral 56 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:56Neutral
Price Target:
$20.50
▲(14.78% Upside)
MNRO scores moderately due to weakened profitability and margin compression (primary headwind), partially offset by resilient cash generation and manageable leverage. The latest earnings call was cautiously positive on execution and guidance, while technicals and the high dividend yield provide additional, but secondary, support.
Positive Factors
Large retail network and market presence
A wide store footprint gives durable access to local customer demand, repeat service revenue and fleet accounts. Scale supports inventory purchasing, multi‑channel marketing rollout and service cross‑sell, creating a structural advantage in a fragmented auto‑service market.
Consistent operating cash generation and liquidity
Positive operating cash flow and large credit availability provide durable financial flexibility to fund capex, dividends and strategic investments even amid earnings volatility. This cash generation cushions execution risk and supports the turnaround plan without immediate reliance on equity markets.
Inventory reduction and real‑estate monetization improving efficiency
Lower inventory reduces working capital needs and risk of obsolescence, improving cash conversion and gross margin potential. Combined with realized proceeds from store sales and lease exits, these structural actions strengthen liquidity and enable reinvestment in higher‑return locations.
Negative Factors
Deteriorating profitability and margin compression
A sustained decline in revenue and sharp margin compression reduce earnings quality and the company's ability to self‑fund growth or dividends. If low margins persist, it will impair returns on capital, limit reinvestment capacity and elevate risk to the balance sheet over the medium term.
Planned store closures reduce scale and near‑term revenue
Strategic downsizing improves long‑term returns but trims the revenue base and fixed‑cost absorption in the near term. The $45M sales headwind necessitates faster comp recovery and proves execution is required to recoup lost volume and restore scale economics.
Wage inflation and elevated reinvestment/one‑time costs
Rising technician wages and significant reinvestment/consulting charges structurally pressure store‑level margins and adjusted earnings. Persistent labor cost inflation and ongoing transformation spend could constrain margin recovery and slow the pace at which operational improvements translate into sustainable profitability.

Monro Muffler (MNRO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Monro Muffler Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionMonro, Inc. provides automotive undercar repair, and tire sales and services in the United States. It offers replacement tires and tire related services; routine maintenance services on passenger cars, light trucks, and vans; products and services for brakes; mufflers and exhaust systems; and steering, drive train, suspension, and wheel alignment. The company also provides automotive undercar repair services, including tire replacement sales, and tire related service. The company operates its stores under the brand names of Monro Auto Service and Tire Centers, Tire Choice Auto Service Centers, Mr. Tire Auto Service Centers, Car-X Tire & Auto, Tire Warehouse Tires for Less, Ken Towery's Tire & Auto Care, Mountain View Tire & Auto Service, Tire Barn Warehouse, and Free Service Tire & Auto Centers. As of March 26, 2022, it operated 1,304 company-operated stores, 76 Car-X franchised locations, seven wholesale locations, and three retread facilities in 32 states. The company was formerly known as Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. and changed its name to Monro, Inc. in August 2017. Monro, Inc. was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Rochester, New York.
How the Company Makes MoneyMonro Muffler generates revenue primarily through its automotive repair services and tire sales. Key revenue streams include the sale of tires, which is a significant portion of its business, alongside services such as exhaust system repairs, brake replacements, and routine maintenance services. The company places a strong emphasis on customer retention and repeat business, leveraging its extensive store network to attract local customers. Additionally, Monro benefits from partnerships with major tire manufacturers, allowing it to offer a wide range of tire brands at competitive prices. Promotional campaigns and service packages also contribute to driving sales and enhancing customer loyalty, ultimately boosting the company's earnings.

Monro Muffler Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 28, 2026
(Q3-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 14, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call communicated measurable operational progress — positive comps, gross margin expansion, inventory reductions, real estate monetization, expanded marketing and CRM rollout, and improved GAAP profitability and cash generation. Offsetting these positives are near‑term impacts from strategic store closures (driving a 4% sales decline), wage inflation increasing technician labor costs, increased marketing and consultant investments, and declines in certain adjusted financial metrics (adjusted operating income and adjusted EPS). Management framed the challenges as deliberate, strategic investments to drive long‑term improvement and reiterated expectations for full‑year comparable store sales growth and gross margin consistency with the prior year.
Q3-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Comparable Store Sales Growth
Comparable store sales for continuing locations increased 1.2% in the quarter (Oct -2%, Nov +4%, Dec +1%) marking the fourth consecutive quarter of positive comps and the first positive two‑year stack in over two years.
Gross Margin Expansion
Gross margin expanded 60 basis points year‑over‑year to 34.9%, driven primarily by 80 bps benefit from lower material costs and 30 bps benefit from lower occupancy as a percentage of sales (partially offset by 50 bps headwind from higher technician labor as a percentage of sales).
Profitability Improvement (GAAP)
Operating income increased to $18.6M (6.3% of sales) versus $10.0M (3.3% of sales) in the prior year. Net income rose to $11.1M and diluted EPS was $0.35, compared with $4.6M and $0.15 respectively in the prior year period.
Inventory Management Progress
System inventory reduced by over $7.0M in the quarter and total inventory is down approximately 16% since March (now more than $28.0M), indicating improved inventory efficiency.
Real Estate Dispositions Driving Cash Proceeds
During Q3 the company exited 32 leases and sold 20 owned locations generating $17.3M in proceeds, bringing fiscal year‑to‑date proceeds to $22.8M; YTD disposals and divestitures contributed materially to cash generation.
Marketing and CRM Rollout Expansion
Expanded multichannel digital marketing to ~340 additional store locations, extended call center support to 114 more stores (now over 830 stores served), and activated CRM campaigns to drive customer revisit and service activation.
Strong Cash Generation and Financial Flexibility
Generated $48.0M of cash from operations in the first nine months; ended Q3 with net bank debt of $40.0M, approximately $425.0M available on the credit facility, and cash & equivalents of ~$5.0M, supporting dividends and capital priorities.
Negative Updates
Total Sales Decline
Total sales decreased 4% to $293.4M in the quarter, primarily driven by the strategic closure of 145 underperforming stores which is expected to reduce sales by ~ $45.0M in fiscal 2026.
Adjusted Operating Metrics Declined
Adjusted operating income fell to $10.3M (3.5% of sales) from $11.7M (3.8% of sales) year‑over‑year, and adjusted diluted EPS declined to $0.16 from $0.19 in the prior year period.
Wage Inflation and Technician Labor Pressure
Technician labor costs increased by ~50 basis points as a percentage of sales due to wage inflation, partially offsetting gross margin gains and pressuring store-level margins.
Increased Investment and One‑time Costs
Q3 included $6.2M incremental marketing spend reinvested from closed store SG&A savings and $4.7M of consultant costs tied to the operational improvement plan, which weighed on adjusted results.
Regional Dispersion and Traffic Weakness
Customer traffic was down mid‑single digits in the quarter (offset by a mid‑single digit increase in average ticket); regional weakness was noted in the West while the Northeast was strongest.
Lower Adjusted EPS Despite GAAP EPS Gain
While GAAP EPS improved to $0.35 (driven in part by real estate gains), adjusted diluted EPS declined to $0.16 from $0.19, highlighting the impact of excluded items and investments on core profitability.
Limited Near‑term Cash on Hand
Cash and equivalents at quarter end were approximately $5.0M, which while supported by large credit availability (~$425.0M), represents modest on‑balance cash liquidity.
Company Guidance
Management guided that Monro expects to deliver year‑over‑year comparable store sales for fiscal 2026 and that the store optimization plan will reduce total sales by approximately $45,000,000 in FY2026; they expect full‑year gross margin to be consistent with fiscal 2025 (implying Q4 gross margin above prior year to achieve that), will partially offset baseline cost inflation and tariff‑related cost increases with benefits from store closures and operational improvements, and will reinvest SG&A savings into marketing to support top‑line growth. They reiterated capital and liquidity plans: capital expenditures of $25–$35 million, continued dividend funding, and an expectation to generate sufficient cash flow to fund priorities (cash from operations was $48.0 million in the first nine months); balance sheet metrics include net bank debt of ~$40.0 million, credit availability of ~ $425.0 million, and cash & equivalents of ~ $5.0 million. Additional operating progress cited that supports guidance included $22.8 million of real‑estate disposition proceeds YTD (including $17.3 million in Q3), 57 leases exited and 25 locations sold YTD, inventory down over $7.0 million in Q3 to more than $28.0 million (a ~16% reduction since March), and ongoing rollout of marketing, CRM and call‑center support across the store base.

Monro Muffler Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Overall fundamentals are mixed. The income statement is the main drag (declining revenue, sharp margin compression, and a swing to losses in the most recent periods), partially offset by still-positive operating/free cash flow and a balance sheet with manageable (though not light) leverage.
Income Statement
34
Negative
Profitability has deteriorated meaningfully. Revenue has been declining for several years (including down ~1% in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months)), and earnings swung from positive in 2022–2024 to a net loss in 2025 annual and a larger loss in TTM. Margins have compressed sharply: EBITDA margin fell from low-double-digits in 2023–2024 to ~5% in TTM, and operating profitability is now pressured, reducing overall earnings quality and resilience.
Balance Sheet
58
Neutral
Leverage looks manageable but not light. Debt sits below equity (debt-to-equity ~0.83 in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), improved versus prior years closer to ~0.93–1.03), and equity remains solid relative to total assets. The key weakness is returns: shareholder returns have turned negative in the most recent periods as losses emerged, which can become a balance-sheet risk if profitability doesn’t recover.
Cash Flow
64
Positive
Cash generation remains a relative bright spot. Despite net losses in 2025 annual and TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), the company is still producing positive operating cash flow and free cash flow, with TTM free cash flow higher than the prior annual period. That said, cash flow as a share of debt is modest in the latest period versus stronger coverage in earlier years, suggesting less cushion if operating conditions remain pressured.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.20B1.28B1.33B1.36B1.13B
Gross Profit417.64M452.10M456.18M481.84M395.19M
EBITDA82.38M144.09M156.79M183.09M149.73M
Net Income-5.18M37.57M39.05M61.57M34.32M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.64B1.69B1.78B1.87B1.81B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments20.76M6.56M4.88M7.95M29.96M
Total Debt529.36M611.01M668.89M803.36M802.76M
Total Liabilities1.02B1.04B1.08B1.09B1.06B
Stockholders Equity620.76M656.77M694.92M782.91M749.68M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow105.55M99.72M176.03M145.93M133.18M
Operating Cash Flow131.91M125.20M215.02M173.76M184.91M
Investing Cash Flow-1.23M-1.96M26.55M-109.80M-66.26M
Financing Cash Flow-116.48M-121.56M-244.63M-85.97M-434.16M

Monro Muffler Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price17.86
Price Trends
50DMA
20.02
Negative
100DMA
18.62
Positive
200DMA
16.65
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.26
Positive
RSI
47.93
Neutral
STOCH
25.41
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For MNRO, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 17.86 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 20.19, below the 50-day MA of 20.02, and above the 200-day MA of 16.65, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.26 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 47.93 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 25.41 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for MNRO.

Monro Muffler Risk Analysis

Monro Muffler disclosed 29 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Monro Muffler reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Monro Muffler Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$958.94M13.8210.49%3.32%23.96%11.01%
73
Outperform
$3.92B15.9518.19%7.94%34.84%
68
Neutral
$8.80B12.2510.87%4.00%-3.71%-0.27%
64
Neutral
$501.32M-19.74-5.54%-3.20%-257.73%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
59
Neutral
$256.99M112.310.94%6.72%
56
Neutral
$591.99M-40.47-3.04%5.50%-2.58%-179.55%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
MNRO
Monro Muffler
19.72
1.20
6.51%
DORM
Dorman Products
128.11
-1.34
-1.04%
LKQ
LKQ
34.37
-1.75
-4.85%
MPAA
Motorcar Parts Of America
13.14
7.48
132.16%
SMP
Standard Motor Products
43.59
13.59
45.30%
HLLY
Holley
4.16
1.19
40.07%

Monro Muffler Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Monro Muffler Appoints Peter Fitzsimmons as CEO
Positive
Dec 4, 2025

On December 2, 2025, Monro, Inc. formalized an employment agreement with Peter Fitzsimmons, appointing him as the full-time President and CEO, and adding him to the Board of Directors. This move is part of Monro’s strategy to enhance operations and drive profitability, with Fitzsimmons having previously contributed to the company’s performance improvement plan. The agreement includes a comprehensive compensation package and aims to secure Fitzsimmons’s leadership until at least December 31, 2027, as the company continues to focus on growth and shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (MNRO) stock is a Hold with a $20.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Monro Muffler stock, see the MNRO Stock Forecast page.

Dividends
Monro Muffler Declares Quarterly Dividend for Q3
Neutral
Nov 19, 2025

On November 18, 2025, Monro, Inc.’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share for the third quarter of the fiscal year ending December 27, 2025. The dividend will be paid on December 16, 2025, to shareholders of record as of December 2, 2025, including those holding Class C Convertible Preferred Stock.

The most recent analyst rating on (MNRO) stock is a Hold with a $17.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Monro Muffler stock, see the MNRO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Monro Muffler Extends Consulting Agreement with AlixPartners
Neutral
Nov 14, 2025

On November 10, 2025, Monro, Inc. extended its consulting agreement with AlixPartners, LLP to December 27, 2025, as part of its ongoing operational improvement plan. The extension involves a fee of $2.2 million for services such as embedding capabilities and supporting revenue acceleration, with the company’s CEO, Peter Fitzsimmons, also serving as a partner at AlixPartners.

The most recent analyst rating on (MNRO) stock is a Hold with a $18.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Monro Muffler stock, see the MNRO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Monro Muffler Implements Shareholder Rights Plan
Neutral
Nov 10, 2025

On November 10, 2025, Monro, Inc. announced the approval of a limited-duration shareholder rights plan by its Board of Directors, set to expire on November 6, 2026. This plan was implemented in response to Icahn Enterprises L.P.’s significant ownership accumulation of nearly 17% of the company, aiming to protect the long-term interests of Monro and its shareholders by preventing any entity from gaining control without proper compensation. The plan encourages potential acquirers to negotiate directly with the Board, ensuring informed decisions are made regarding any attempts to control or influence the company.

The most recent analyst rating on (MNRO) stock is a Hold with a $18.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Monro Muffler stock, see the MNRO Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 29, 2026