Stifel Nicolaus Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Stock

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) had its target price upped by equities research analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $120.00 to $155.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the restaurant operator’s stock. Stifel Nicolaus’ price objective would suggest a potential upside of 11.92% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on EAT. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Brinker International from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $67.00 to $100.00 in a report on Thursday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Brinker International in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $150.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets downgraded shares of Brinker International from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $80.00 to $105.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Brinker International from $97.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, KeyCorp lifted their price target on shares of Brinker International from $100.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Brinker International has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $105.28.

Brinker International Price Performance

Shares of EAT stock traded down $1.03 on Friday, reaching $138.49. The company had a trading volume of 308,126 shares, compared to its average volume of 855,274. The business’s 50-day moving average is $127.58 and its 200 day moving average is $92.74. Brinker International has a one year low of $37.25 and a one year high of $142.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 63.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.15 billion, a PE ratio of 33.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 2.52.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The restaurant operator reported $0.95 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $1.14 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.10 billion. Brinker International had a net margin of 4.11% and a negative return on equity of 839.19%. The firm’s revenue was up 12.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.28 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Brinker International will post 5.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Brinker International

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brinker International

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EAT. Arizona State Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 1.9% during the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 12,382 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $896,000 after buying an additional 234 shares during the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC lifted its position in Brinker International by 1,265.2% in the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 1,884 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $136,000 after acquiring an additional 1,746 shares in the last quarter. Choreo LLC acquired a new position in Brinker International during the 2nd quarter valued at about $211,000. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D bought a new stake in Brinker International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,964,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of Brinker International in the second quarter worth approximately $4,570,000.

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.