Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Trading Up 8.8% – Here’s What Happened

Shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) were up 8.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $240.86 and last traded at $240.86. 1,077,220 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 7% from the average daily volume of 1,162,836 shares. The stock had previously closed at $221.38.

Key Brinker International News

Here are the key news stories impacting Brinker International this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Brinker reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of $1.54 billion, above the $1.53 billion consensus estimate, while revenue grew 5.1% year over year. Chili’s continued to drive performance, marking five consecutive years of same-store sales growth and a cumulative 71% increase over that period. Brinker fiscal 2026 results and fiscal 2027 guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Fiscal 2027 earnings-per-share guidance of $12.60 to $13.40 topped the $12.47 analyst consensus, while revenue guidance of $6.2 billion to $6.3 billion exceeded the $6.1 billion consensus. The outlook suggests management expects continued sales strength and operating leverage. Bank of America maintains Buy rating
• Positive Sentiment: Brinker announced expanded share buybacks, providing an additional potential support for per-share earnings and signaling management confidence in future cash generation. Bank of America reiterated its Buy rating, and UBS raised its price target to $260 while maintaining a Buy rating. UBS raises Brinker price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Fourth-quarter EPS was $3.07, up from $2.30 a year earlier. Results were described as matching the Zacks consensus, although other estimates placed expectations at $3.10, indicating only a marginal earnings miss. Brinker matches Q4 earnings estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Brinker’s elevated valuation remains a risk. A recent analysis argued that the stock’s strong rally has increased the need for new growth opportunities beyond its current Chili’s momentum, potentially limiting upside if sales trends moderate. Brinker valuation analysis

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on EAT shares. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Brinker International from $189.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Brinker International from $190.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Brinker International from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 16th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Brinker International from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 16th. Finally, Stephens initiated coverage on shares of Brinker International in a research report on Friday, July 17th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $220.00 price objective for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Brinker International currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $196.75.

Brinker International Trading Up 12.1%

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $180.87 and a 200-day moving average of $159.07. The company has a market capitalization of $10.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.34, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a current ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 12th. The restaurant operator reported $3.07 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.10 by ($0.03). Brinker International had a return on equity of 123.22% and a net margin of 8.07%.The firm had revenue of $1.54 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.53 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.30 EPS. Brinker International’s revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Brinker International has set its FY 2027 guidance at 12.600-13.400 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Brinker International, Inc. will post 10.76 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of EAT. Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in shares of Brinker International by 58.5% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 225 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Rezny Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Brinker International by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Rezny Wealth Management Inc. now owns 11,738 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $1,685,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its position in shares of Brinker International by 45.1% during the fourth quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 299 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC raised its stake in Brinker International by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 2,047 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $294,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares during the period. Finally, Smith Group Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Brinker International by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Smith Group Asset Management LLC now owns 20,669 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $3,472,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the period.

About Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc (NYSE: EAT) is a leading global operator of casual dining restaurants. The company’s portfolio is anchored by its flagship Chili’s® Grill & Bar concept and Maggiano’s® Little Italy full?service restaurants, offering a range of American?style menu items, handcrafted cocktails and family?friendly dining experiences. Through dine?in, takeout, delivery and catering services, Brinker seeks to meet consumer preferences across multiple channels.

The Chili’s brand features signature items such as baby back ribs, burgers and fajitas alongside a rotating selection of limited?time offerings and seasonal beverages.