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How Prediction Market Traders Won on Domino's Earnings Miss

newsfeedback@fool.com (Todd Shriber)
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⚡ Quantum Brief
Polymarket traders incorrectly bet 64% on Domino’s beating Q4 2025 EPS estimates of $5.38, but the company reported $5.35, making "no" contracts profitable. The prediction market’s binary structure—where "yes" requires ≥$5.39 EPS—highlighted its utility as a hedge tool for earnings volatility, offering traders alternatives to traditional shorting. Despite the miss, Domino’s stock rose 3.46% after 2026 EPS guidance exceeded Wall Street’s $19.54 forecast, benefiting "no" contract holders who could then buy shares. Berkshire Hathaway increased its Domino’s stake in Q4 2025, contrasting Morgan Stanley’s downgrade, which cited operational challenges and cut its price target by 15%. The case underscores prediction markets’ growing role in finance, though regulatory scrutiny persists over their classification as sports betting or investment tools.
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By Todd Shriber – Feb 24, 2026 at 10:48PM ESTKey PointsDomino’s Pizza was poised to top fourth-quarter EPS estimates, according to Polymarket traders.The pizza giant missed Wall Street's consensus earnings estimates, so "no" contracts were the winning Polymarket move.Berkshire Hathaway added to its stake in Q4.These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›NASDAQ: DPZDomino's PizzaMarket Cap$14BToday's Changeangle-down(3.46%) $13.84Current Price$414.20Price as of February 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM ETDomino's missed Q4 earnings estimates, but "no" contract holders on Polymarket still came out ahead.Traders looking for a potentially tasty way to kick off the week may have considered Domino's Pizza (DPZ +3.46%), which delivered fourth-quarter results on Monday morning. Pizza aficionados and market participants with bullish perspectives on the pizza delivery/takeout chain took heart in knowing that Polymarket traders were positioned for a Domino's earnings beat. As of late Sunday, 64% of Domino's earnings event contracts on that prediction market were "yes," meaning those traders are wagering the company will beat the consensus earnings-per-share forecast of $5.38 a share for the final three months of 2025. If Polymarket traders are right, Domino's Pizza will beat Q4 earnings estimates. Image source: Getty Images Traders looking at the Polymarket route should know this: If you're buying "yes" contracts on an event like Domino's earnings, the contract resolves in your favor if the company reports earnings of at least $5.39 per share on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). As it turns out, Domino's missed the earnings target with a result of $5.35 per share. A "no" contract would have paid off this time. Prediction markets may offer insurance on earnings reports These days, controversy and prediction markets go hand in hand with much of the negative public relations swirling around yes/no exchanges attributable to companies' moves into what state regulators perceive as sports wagering. Emerging hope and speculation suggest that some in the investment community want prediction markets to become far more than mere alternatives to standard sportsbooks. Professional investors and traders want cases relevant to them. Earnings reports, including the imminent one courtesy of Domino's, can add to the non-sports use case for prediction markets. For example, an investor who didn't own shares of Domino's but wants to participate in potential earnings-related upside could have purchased a "yes" event contract on the company beating EPS estimates in advance of the report. Likewise, a market participant holding the stock but seeking a hedge could have bought "no" derivatives on a yes/no exchange. ExpandNASDAQ: DPZDomino's PizzaToday's Change(3.46%) $13.84Current Price$414.20Key Data PointsMarket Cap$14BDay's Range$402.33 - $417.7252wk Range$370.70 - $500.55Volume1.4MAvg Vol732KGross Margin39.95%Dividend Yield1.68% For outright bearish traders, "no" contracts on an earnings report may be less risky than outright shorting a stock. Domino's missed the $5.38 per share Q4 estimate, but its 2026 EPS guidance came in above the $19.54 Wall Street expected. The stock rose on the news. Holders of "no" event contracts won their wager and could still buy shares afterward to participate in the rally. Mixed views on Domino's Looking at the pizza franchise from a fundamental perspective, a mixed bag emerges. Analysts believe some restaurant chains will benefit from lower payroll taxes and higher tips. Still, Morgan Stanley recently lowered its rating on Domino's to equal weight from overweight and cut its price target by 15%, citing a challenging narrative. The other side of the Domino's coin is evidence that some members of the "smart money" group are bullish on the stock. For example, the restaurant chain was one of just four previously existing positions Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA +0.14%) (BRKB +0.09%) boosted in the last three months of 2025. Read NextFeb 23, 2026 •By Joe TenebrusoWhy Domino's Pizza Stock Popped TodayFeb 18, 2026 •By Bram BerkowitzWarren Buffett Sold 29% of Bank of America and Bought This Consumer Stock for 4 Consecutive QuartersFeb 18, 2026 •By Sean WilliamsMeet the Stock Warren Buffett Purchased for 6 Consecutive Quarters Leading Up to His Retirement (No, It's Not Shares of Berkshire Hathaway)Feb 2, 2026 •By Sean WilliamsInvesting Legend Warren Buffett Sold 45% of Berkshire Hathaway's Bank of America Stake and Bought Shares of This Consumer Favorite for 5 Consecutive Quarters Before RetiringJan 15, 2026 •By Lawrence Rothman, CFAThis Ridiculously Cheap Warren Buffett Stock Could Make You RicherDec 13, 2025 •By Parkev Tatevosian, CFAShould Investors Buy Domino's Stock Before 2026?Stocks MentionedDomino's PizzaNASDAQ: DPZ$414.20 (+3.46%) $+13.84Berkshire HathawayNYSE: BRKA$741200.00 (+0.14%) $+1000.00Berkshire HathawayNYSE: BRKB$494.51 (+0.09%) $+0.42Morgan StanleyNYSE: MS$168.79 (+1.19%) $+1.99*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

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