American Century Companies Trims Chipotle Stake

Investment firm reduces holdings in restaurant chain by nearly half

Feb. 28, 2026 at 8:23am

American Century Companies Inc. has reduced its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) by 48.4% in the third quarter, according to a recent SEC filing. The firm previously owned 10,965,031 shares of the restaurant operator's stock, but sold 10,292,635 shares during the period, leaving it with a smaller 0.83% ownership position worth $429.7 million.

Why it matters

This reduction in Chipotle holdings by a major institutional investor like American Century Companies could signal a shift in sentiment around the fast-casual restaurant chain, which has faced some operational challenges and competitive pressures in recent quarters.

The details

According to the 13F filing, American Century Companies sold off a significant portion of its Chipotle position in Q3 2026, reducing its stake from over 10.9 million shares to just 672,396 shares. This sale represented nearly half (48.4%) of the firm's previous Chipotle holdings.

  • American Century Companies filed the 13F report disclosing the Chipotle stake reduction on February 28, 2026.

The players

American Century Companies Inc.

An investment management firm that previously held a major stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

A fast-casual restaurant chain known for its Mexican-inspired menu of burritos, bowls, tacos and salads.

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The takeaway

This reduction in Chipotle holdings by a prominent institutional investor could signal broader concerns about the restaurant chain's performance and outlook, though the specific reasons behind the sell-off are not yet clear. Investors will be watching to see if other major shareholders follow suit or if Chipotle can regain the confidence of the investment community.