Casey's Q3 2025: Growth Amidst Rising Expenses

Casey's General Stores: Navigating Growth and Challenges in Q3 2025#

While CASY shares jumped +2.76% to $395.63, fueled by a robust +17.1% revenue increase to $3.90 billion, the flat EPS of $2.33 reveals a nuanced financial picture. The convenience store chain is grappling with rising expenses, particularly credit card fees, even as it aggressively expands its footprint. This juxtaposition of growth and cost pressures defines Casey's current market position, demanding a closer look at its strategic initiatives and financial health.

Q3 2025 Financial Performance#

Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY Q3 2025 earnings present a mixed financial landscape. The company's diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.33 remained unchanged compared to the previous year but exceeded analyst expectations, according to the Business Wire Business Wire. Net income also remained steady at $87.1 million. EBITDA, however, showed an +11.4% increase, reaching $242.4 million Business Wire. Revenue experienced substantial growth, rising +17.1% to $3.90 billion Business Wire. This revenue surge was primarily driven by strong inside sales and increased fuel gallons sold, highlighting the company's ability to capitalize on both convenience store offerings and fuel demand. However, challenges such as rising credit card fees and the potential long-term impact of EV adoption on fuel sales loom large, necessitating strategic adaptations.

Key Performance Metrics#

Growth in Inside Sales and Prepared Foods#

Inside sales, particularly from prepared foods and dispensed beverages, continue to be a significant revenue driver for CASY. In Q3 2025, inside same-store sales increased by +3.7%, reflecting the company's ability to attract customers with its diverse product offerings Business Wire. Prepared foods, including pizza, bakery items, and sandwiches, are a key differentiator for Casey's in the competitive convenience store landscape. The company's focus on quality and innovation in this area has resonated well with consumers, driving both revenue and customer loyalty. Casey's is also enhancing customer engagement through its loyalty program and digital platforms, offering personalized promotions and convenient ordering options to build stronger customer relationships and encourage repeat visits. The financial performance of the inside sales segment is critical to Casey's overall success, providing a stable revenue stream amidst fluctuating fuel sales.

Fuel Sales and Margin Dynamics#

Fuel sales remain a significant contributor to Casey's revenue, although the company faces challenges from fluctuating gasoline prices and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. In Q3 2025, same-store fuel gallons increased by +1.8%, while fuel margins averaged 36.4 cents per gallon Business Wire. Maintaining healthy fuel margins is crucial for Casey's profitability, and the company actively manages its fuel pricing strategy to balance volume and profitability, considering local market conditions and competitive pressures. However, the long-term outlook for fuel sales is uncertain, given the growing popularity of electric vehicles. Casey's is proactively addressing this challenge by investing in renewable fuel options and EV charging stations at select locations. The company's fuel sales strategy must evolve to adapt to the changing transportation landscape, ensuring it remains competitive in a market increasingly influenced by electric vehicles.

Strategic Store Expansion#

Casey's has been actively expanding its store footprint, increasing its presence in key markets. As of January 31, 2025, the company operated 2,993 stores, up from 2,658 on April 30, 2024 Business Wire. This expansion has been a significant contributor to the company's revenue growth. The CEFCO acquisition added 198 stores to Casey's portfolio, strengthening its presence in Texas and the Southeast. The company expects to add approximately 270 stores for fiscal year 2025 Business Wire.

This aggressive expansion strategy demonstrates Casey's commitment to growth and its confidence in its business model. However, it also presents challenges in terms of integration and managing operating expenses. The company must ensure that new stores are effectively integrated into its network and that operating costs are controlled to maintain profitability. This growth is not just about adding locations but strategically positioning CASY within rapidly developing markets.

Expense Management and Profitability#

Maintaining profitability in the face of rising costs is a key challenge for CASY. The company faces pressure from various sources, including rising credit card fees, labor costs, and supply chain disruptions. Casey's is actively working to mitigate these pressures through effective expense management strategies. One of the most significant challenges is the rising cost of credit card processing fees, which have a direct impact on the company's bottom line.

Credit Card Fees#

Credit card fees are a significant expense for Casey's, impacting its profitability. The company is actively seeking ways to mitigate these costs but faces challenges due to the increasing prevalence of credit card transactions. Casey's is exploring options such as negotiating lower rates with payment processors, promoting alternative payment methods, and implementing surcharges where permitted by law. However, these efforts are unlikely to fully offset the impact of rising credit card fees. The company's ability to manage this expense will be crucial for maintaining its profitability in the long term. Investors should monitor Casey's progress in this area and assess the impact of credit card fees on its financial performance.

Labor Efficiency#

Labor efficiency is another key focus area for Casey's. The company is investing in technology and training to improve employee productivity and reduce labor costs. This includes implementing self-checkout kiosks, optimizing staffing levels, and providing employees with the tools and training they need to perform their jobs effectively. Casey's is also working to improve employee retention rates, which can help to reduce hiring and training costs. The company's efforts to improve labor efficiency have yielded positive results, with same-store labor hours reduced in recent quarters. However, Casey's faces ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining qualified employees in a competitive labor market. The company must continue to invest in its workforce to maintain its operational efficiency and customer service standards.

Adapting to Electric Vehicle Adoption#

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) poses a long-term challenge to Casey's fuel sales. As more consumers switch to EVs, demand for gasoline is likely to decline, potentially impacting Casey's revenue and profitability. The pace of EV adoption is uncertain, but most industry experts expect it to accelerate in the coming years. Casey's is taking steps to address this challenge by investing in renewable fuel options and EV charging stations at select locations. The company is also exploring partnerships with EV charging networks to expand its charging infrastructure and attract EV drivers to its stores. Casey's recognizes that it must adapt to the changing transportation landscape to remain competitive. The company's strategy involves diversifying its revenue streams and offering products and services that appeal to EV drivers.

Renewable Fuel Options#

Casey's is expanding its renewable fuel offerings, with most stores offering fuel with at least 10% blended ethanol. Some stores also offer biodiesel, providing customers with more environmentally friendly fuel options. This strategy aligns with the growing consumer demand for sustainable products and services. By offering renewable fuels, Casey's can attract environmentally conscious customers and differentiate itself from competitors. However, the availability and cost of renewable fuels can vary depending on market conditions and government regulations. Casey's must carefully manage its renewable fuel supply chain to ensure that it can offer these products at competitive prices. The company is also working to educate consumers about the benefits of renewable fuels and encourage them to choose these options.

EV Charging Stations#

Casey's is investing in EV charging stations at select locations, providing EV drivers with a convenient place to charge their vehicles. The company has implemented an EV strategy with charging stations across 13 states Casey's General Stores Investor Relations. This investment demonstrates Casey's commitment to adapting to the changing transportation landscape and attracting EV drivers to its stores. By offering EV charging, Casey's can generate additional revenue and increase foot traffic. However, the ROI on EV charging infrastructure is uncertain, and Casey's faces competition from other charging networks. The company must carefully evaluate the economics of EV charging and ensure that its charging stations are strategically located and effectively marketed. Casey's is also exploring partnerships with EV charging providers to leverage their expertise and expand its charging network.

CEFCO Acquisition and Regional Growth#

CASY's expansion strategy focuses on both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, with a particular emphasis on expanding its presence in key geographic regions. The company carefully selects new store locations based on market demographics, traffic patterns, and competitive analysis. Casey's also invests in remodeling and upgrading existing stores to enhance the customer experience and drive sales. The recent acquisition of CEFCO Convenience Stores is a prime example of this approach, significantly expanding Casey's presence in Texas and the Southeast.

The acquisition of CEFCO Convenience Stores significantly expands Casey's footprint, particularly in Texas and the Southeast. This acquisition added 198 stores to Casey's portfolio, strengthening its presence in these high-growth markets. Texas is a highly strategic market for Casey's, given its large population and growing economy. The company expects to leverage the CEFCO acquisition to increase its brand awareness and market share in the state. The integration of CEFCO stores is a key priority for Casey's. The company is working to standardize operations, implement its technology platform, and leverage its supply chain to improve efficiency and profitability. Casey's is also investing in training and development to ensure that CEFCO employees are aligned with its culture and values.

Valuation Analysis#

Casey's valuation is a subject of ongoing debate among investors. The company's P/E ratio is relatively high compared to some of its competitors, raising questions about whether the stock is overvalued. However, Casey's supporters argue that the company's premium valuation is justified by its consistent growth, strategic locations, and compelling in-store product mix. The current CASY stock price reflects market expectations for future growth and profitability.

P/E Ratio Comparison#

Casey's P/E ratio is approximately 27.44x, according to Monexa AI. This is higher than some competitors in the convenience store sector, such as Ingles Markets (around 7.7x) MarketBeat. However, it is lower than other retailers like Walmart (32.4x) and Costco (47.2x) MarketBeat. Kroger has a P/E ratio of 19.43 MarketBeat. The P/E ratio is a key metric for evaluating a company's valuation relative to its earnings. A higher P/E ratio suggests that investors are willing to pay a premium for each dollar of earnings, reflecting expectations for future growth. Casey's premium valuation may be justified by its strong in-store product mix, consistent growth, and strategic locations. However, some analyses suggest that the stock appears overvalued relative to its fair value Seeking Alpha. Investors should carefully consider these factors when assessing Casey's valuation.

Forward-Looking Valuation#

Future Outlook: Challenges and Opportunities#

Casey's faces both challenges and opportunities in the years ahead. One of the biggest challenges is the projected impact of moderating growth rates on the company's long-term valuation. While Casey's has historically delivered strong growth, analysts expect growth rates to slow in the future. This could put pressure on the company's valuation and impact investor sentiment. Casey's must find ways to sustain its growth momentum to justify its premium valuation. The company is also facing challenges from rising credit card fees, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles, and supply chain disruptions. These factors could negatively impact Casey's profitability and financial performance. The company must effectively manage these challenges to maintain its competitive edge and deliver value to shareholders.

Analyst Ratings and Price Targets#

Analysts generally have a positive outlook on Casey's, with an average rating of "Buy" and a 12-month price forecast of $423.09 StockAnalysis.com. This represents an approximate +5.23% increase from the current stock price of $395.63. Some analysts have higher price targets, averaging around $456.60. These ratings reflect analysts' confidence in Casey's ability to execute its strategic initiatives and deliver strong financial results. However, it is important to note that analyst ratings are not a guarantee of future performance. Investors should conduct their own research and due diligence before making investment decisions. Analyst ratings can provide valuable insights, but they should not be the sole basis for investment decisions.

Key Takeaways#

• Financial Performance: Casey's Q3 2025 earnings show strong revenue growth but flat EPS, indicating expense pressures. The +17.1% revenue increase demonstrates the company's ability to drive sales, but rising costs, particularly credit card fees, are impacting profitability.
• Strategic Initiatives: Casey's is actively expanding its store footprint and investing in renewable fuel options and EV charging stations to adapt to changing consumer preferences and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. The CEFCO acquisition significantly expands Casey's presence in Texas and the Southeast.
• Valuation: Casey's has a relatively high P/E ratio compared to some of its competitors, but supporters argue that the company's premium valuation is justified by its consistent growth and strategic locations. Investors should carefully consider Casey's growth prospects, profitability, and financial health when assessing its valuation.
• Challenges and Opportunities: Casey's faces challenges from moderating growth rates, rising credit card fees, and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. However, the company has opportunities to continue growing its inside sales, expand into new geographic regions, and adapt to changing consumer preferences with renewable fuels and EV charging stations.

Strategic Implications for Investors#

For investors, CASY presents a complex picture. While the company demonstrates a clear ability to grow revenue through strategic expansion and strong in-store sales, the flat EPS and rising expense pressures raise concerns about long-term profitability. Investors should closely monitor Casey's ability to manage costs, particularly credit card fees, and adapt to the changing transportation landscape with its investments in renewable fuels and EV charging stations. The company's premium valuation suggests that the market has high expectations for future growth. Therefore, investors should carefully assess whether Casey's can sustain its growth momentum and deliver strong financial results to justify its current valuation.

Ultimately, Casey's success will depend on its ability to execute its strategic initiatives effectively, manage expenses efficiently, and adapt to the evolving market dynamics of the convenience store and fuel industries. The balance between growth and profitability will be key to unlocking long-term value for shareholders.