US Bancorp DE Has $1.21 Million Stake in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)

US Bancorp DE boosted its holdings in shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) by 5.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 9,132 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock after buying an additional 450 shares during the quarter. US Bancorp DE’s holdings in Brinker International were worth $1,208,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Entropy Technologies LP bought a new stake in Brinker International during the fourth quarter valued at about $410,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Brinker International by 23.5% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 272,822 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $20,879,000 after acquiring an additional 51,927 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR bought a new stake in Brinker International during the fourth quarter valued at about $661,000. Ifrah Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in Brinker International during the fourth quarter valued at about $280,000. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC bought a new stake in Brinker International during the third quarter valued at about $5,330,000.

Brinker International Stock Performance

NYSE:EAT opened at $141.42 on Friday. Brinker International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $43.37 and a 12-month high of $192.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.28 billion, a PE ratio of 24.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 2.56. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $154.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $119.24.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The restaurant operator reported $2.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $1.43. Brinker International had a net margin of 5.45% and a return on equity of 879.47%. Research analysts anticipate that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Brinker International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Brinker International from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and upped their price target for the company from $70.00 to $115.00 in a report on Friday, December 20th. KeyCorp cut shares of Brinker International from an “overweight” rating to a “sector weight” rating and set a $115.00 price target for the company. in a report on Friday, January 24th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Brinker International from $166.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Brinker International from $145.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $140.18.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In related news, Director Cindy L. Davis sold 5,802 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.86, for a total value of $1,089,963.72. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 11,107 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,086,561.02. This trade represents a 34.31 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 7,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.90, for a total transaction of $1,409,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 34,252 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,435,950.80. This represents a 17.96 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 20,802 shares of company stock valued at $3,752,464. Corporate insiders own 1.72% of the company’s stock.

Brinker International 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.