Brokerages Set Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) Price Target at $86.45

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) has earned an average recommendation of “Hold” from the eighteen analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $86.45.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on EAT shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered Brinker International from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and upped their target price for the company from $67.00 to $100.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Wedbush restated a “neutral” rating and set a $68.00 target price on shares of Brinker International in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Citigroup increased their price target on Brinker International from $83.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Argus lowered Brinker International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 1st.

Brinker International Stock Down 1.8 %

EAT stock opened at $116.55 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 63.54. Brinker International has a 52 week low of $34.77 and a 52 week high of $123.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.18 billion, a PE ratio of 28.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 2.46. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $89.02 and a 200 day moving average of $74.23.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last released its 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 negative return on equity of 839.19% and a net margin of 4.11%. The firm had revenue of $1.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.28 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Brinker International will post 5.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In related news, CFO Michaela M. Ware sold 3,753 shares of the firm’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 transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 23,071 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,376,774.42. This trade represents a 13.99 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.72% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brinker International

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in shares of Brinker International by 6.7% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 37,120 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $1,844,000 after purchasing an additional 2,343 shares in the last quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp grew its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 3.4% during the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 38,707 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $1,923,000 after buying an additional 1,264 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. raised its position in shares of Brinker International by 6.6% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 87,423 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $4,343,000 after buying an additional 5,410 shares during the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Brinker International in the first quarter worth about $47,000. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Brinker International by 5.4% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 20,640 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $1,025,000 after buying an additional 1,049 shares in the last quarter.

Brinker International Company Profile

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.