Insider Trading March 18, 2026

Texas Roadhouse Director Sells Nearly $169K in Stock as Earnings Misses Draw Analyst Revisions

Director Carroll Hugh J disposed of 988 shares; company facing margin pressures from beef inflation, weather and labor headwinds

By Marcus Reed TXRH
Texas Roadhouse Director Sells Nearly $169K in Stock as Earnings Misses Draw Analyst Revisions
TXRH

Director Carroll Hugh J sold 988 shares of Texas Roadhouse Inc (TXRH) on March 16, 2026, for a total of $168,908 at $170.96 per share. The sale price was modestly above the prevailing market price of $168.64. The company reported fourth-quarter 2025 results that missed expectations, driven by beef inflation and weather-related disruptions, prompting several analyst price-target adjustments and reaffirmations of cautious ratings.

Key Points

  • Director Carroll Hugh J sold 988 shares of Texas Roadhouse at $170.96 per share on March 16, 2026, totaling $168,908.
  • Texas Roadhouse reported Q4 2025 EPS of $1.28, missing estimates by $0.22; analysts adjusted price targets and ratings in response.
  • Operational pressures cited include beef inflation, weather disruptions and labor inefficiency, affecting store-level profitability across the restaurant sector.

Director Carroll Hugh J completed a sale of 988 shares of Texas Roadhouse Inc (NASDAQ: TXRH) common stock on March 16, 2026. The shares traded at $170.96 apiece, producing a transaction value of $168,908.

The sale price recorded for the transaction was slightly higher than the company's current trading price of $168.64 and the company is trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.77.

Following the disposition, Carroll retains direct ownership of 866 shares of Texas Roadhouse common stock. In addition to those shares, Carroll has outstanding restricted stock units (RSUs): 2,667 RSUs scheduled to vest on July 2, 2026, and 1,200 RSUs that will vest on January 8, 2027. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Texas Roadhouse common stock upon vesting.


Recent operating and analyst developments

Texas Roadhouse reported fourth-quarter 2025 earnings that fell short of consensus expectations. The company posted earnings per share of $1.28, missing estimates by $0.22. Management attributed the shortfall to several headwinds, including beef inflation and weather-related disruptions.

Analysts adjusted their outlooks in response to the results and commentary. Truist Securities lowered its price target for Texas Roadhouse to $186 while maintaining a Hold rating, citing missed expectations on same-store sales and earnings per share. BMO Capital cut its price target to $165 and kept a Market Perform rating, pointing to labor inefficiency and softer comparable sales. KeyBanc reiterated a Sector Weight rating and emphasized that inflation had eroded store-level profitability. By contrast, Stephens raised its price target to $180, citing a more constructive margin outlook even as it acknowledged persistent cost pressures, particularly in food inflation.


Context and implications

The insider sale and the mix of analyst reactions underline current investor focus on near-term margin pressure and operational execution at the restaurant chain. The company’s P/E and the stock price at the time of the trade provide a snapshot of market valuation as analysts reassess earnings and sales trajectories in the wake of the quarter’s results.

Risks

  • Food inflation - particularly beef inflation - is pressuring margins and profitability in the restaurant sector.
  • Weather-related disruptions can negatively affect operations and comparable sales for restaurant chains.
  • Labor inefficiency and softer comparable sales pose execution risks that may continue to weigh on the consumer discretionary and restaurants sectors.

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