Analysts Set Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) Price Target at $89.63

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) has earned an average rating of “Hold” from the nineteen analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $89.63.

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Brinker International from $97.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Brinker International in a report on Thursday, December 5th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Brinker International from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Raymond James downgraded shares of Brinker International from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, Wedbush reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $68.00 price target on shares of Brinker International in a research note on Thursday, August 15th.

Insider Activity at Brinker International

In other Brinker International news, CFO Michaela M. Ware sold 3,753 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.02, for a total value of $386,634.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 23,071 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,376,774.42. This represents a 13.99 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.72% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of EAT. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Brinker International by 96.2% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 416 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in Brinker International by 33.2% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 986 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares in the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Brinker International by 1,265.2% in the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 1,884 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $136,000 after purchasing an additional 1,746 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in shares of Brinker International by 1,111.8% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 2,266 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $164,000 after purchasing an additional 2,079 shares in the last quarter. Finally, nVerses Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Brinker International during the second quarter worth about $166,000.

Brinker International Stock Performance

NYSE EAT opened at $129.76 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $109.13 and a 200 day moving average price of $83.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 63.54, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.26. The company has a market capitalization of $5.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.65, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 2.51. Brinker International has a 1-year low of $37.25 and a 1-year high of $133.82.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The restaurant operator reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.26. Brinker International had a net margin of 4.11% and a negative return on equity of 839.19%. The company had revenue of $1.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.10 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.28 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Brinker International will post 5.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, development, operation, and franchising of casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. It operates and franchises Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant brands.