-- Planet Fitness' (PLNT) first-quarter member net adds and same-store sales could fall short of Wall Street's estimates, while the company could "slightly" lower its full-year outlook amid high macro uncertainty, RBC Capital Markets said in a note e-mailed Wednesday.
The brokerage lowered the fitness center operator's first-quarter net adds estimates to 680,000 from 990,000 and its same-store sales growth outlook to 3.1% from 4.4%. The Street expects net adds of 790,000 and a 3.5% increase in same-store sales, according to the RBC note to clients.
"Our RBC Elements app data tracker suggested (first-quarter) downloads were only up 0.3% (year over year), and the company called out elevated churn to start the year, given it was the first (first-quarter) with click-to-cancel," RBC analyst Logan Reich said. "While (Planet Fitness) may be a relative trade-down beneficiary in times of macro volatility, the elevated uncertainty in March could have been an incremental headwind to net member growth."
The brokerage said the company could guide down its 2026 views "slightly" amid elevated macro pressures due to the Middle East conflict, worsening consumer sentiment, and the absence of a permanent chief financial officer.
Last month, Planet Fitness said it appointed Tom Fitzgerald as interim CFO following the departure of Jay Stasz. Fitzgerald previously served as the company's finance chief. At the time, the fitness center operator reaffirmed its 2026 financial outlook.
RBC reduced its price target on Planet Fitness' stock to $85 from $120 with an outperform rating. The brokerage cut its 2026 and 2027 top- and bottom-line projections for the company.
Planet Fitness shares were down 1.1% in Wednesday late-afternoon trade. The stock has slumped 41% so far this year.
"We continue to believe all the medium- and long-term secular, demographic, and idiosyncratic drivers remain intact," Reich said. "However, we think the key factor to investors potentially getting more constructive following the print is what the company's commentary on the (long-term algorithm) is."
Planet Fitness is scheduled to report its latest financial results May 7.
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