Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Reaches New 1-Year High – Here’s Why

Shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $187.34 and last traded at $186.64, with a volume of 596477 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $181.97.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Argus raised shares of Brinker International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 24th. KeyCorp lowered Brinker International from an “overweight” rating to a “sector weight” rating and set a $115.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Friday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Brinker International from $145.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Brinker International from $62.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on Brinker International from $166.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Brinker International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $140.18.

Brinker International Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $8.34 billion, a PE ratio of 32.54, a PEG ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 2.54. 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 company has a 50-day moving average of $141.60 and a 200 day moving average of $104.29.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The restaurant operator reported $2.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $1.43. Brinker International had a return on equity of 879.47% and a net margin of 5.45%. Equities research analysts predict that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.33 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In related news, Director Cindy L. Davis sold 5,802 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 11,107 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,086,561.02. The trade was a 34.31 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 1.72% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brinker International

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC raised its stake in shares of Brinker International by 100.0% during the fourth quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 200 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in Brinker International by 123.9% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 309 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Brinker International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $83,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Brinker International by 132.4% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,420 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $188,000 after buying an additional 809 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Truist Financial Corp purchased a new position in shares of Brinker International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $206,000.

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.