Starbucks Corporation (SBUX), Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN): They’re Off and Running

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For the quarter, the number that keeps me invested in Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is the $4.5 billion cash from operations over the past 12 months. So, even though the company turned in a negative earnings number, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is anything but a weak company.

The Grill is getting hot

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and to help get the party started the company turned in some very impressive numbers. Revenue increased 18.2% to $816.8 million, beating analysts expectations of $802.7 million. Comparable restaurant sales climbed 5.5%, showing there is still plenty of room for restaurant expansion. Speaking of which, management opened 44 new locations during the quarter and now have 1502 restaurants open. With a stated goal of 3000 locations, we have just reached the half way point.

Due mainly to higher food costs, operating margins decreased 160 basis points to 27.6%. Margin contraction impacted net income to some degree, which was up 7.6% to $87.9 million for the quarter.

I believe there are still years of growth left for investors in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) since the company has just reached the half way point in restaurants . Then we have the ShopHouse Asian concept that management is still tweaking. With only four ShopHouse’s  currently, there is years of growth ahead for this new concept. If ShopHouse is only half as successful as the Mexican concept, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) investors should be richly rewarded.

The future looks promising

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG), Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) and Meritage Homes Corp (NYSE:MTH) each have very bright futures with years of growth ahead. As a long-term investor, I am looking to add to my positions. If any of these are new to you, I believe it would be wise to do a little study and see if you can find a place for them in your portfolio.

Please leave comments below.

David Paxton owns shares of Amazon.com, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Starbucks, and Meritage Homes. The Motley Fool recommends Amazon.com, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Meritage Homes, and Starbucks. The Motley Fool owns shares of Amazon.com, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Starbucks. David is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

The article They’re Off and Running originally appeared on Fool.com is written by David Paxton.

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