Zacks Research Analysts Increase Earnings Estimates for EAT

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2027 earnings estimates for Brinker International in a research report issued on Tuesday, October 6th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the restaurant operator will post earnings of $2.42 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $2.29. Zacks Research has a “Strong-Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Brinker International’s current full-year earnings is $13.16 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Brinker International’s Q4 2027 earnings at $4.06 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $13.06 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $2.59 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $3.61 EPS, Q4 2028 earnings at $4.45 EPS, FY2028 earnings at $13.97 EPS and FY2029 earnings at $15.22 EPS.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 12th. The restaurant operator reported $3.07 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.09 by ($0.02). Brinker International had a return on equity of 122.35% and a net margin of 8.39%.The business had revenue of $1.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.53 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.30 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Brinker International has set its FY 2027 guidance at 12.600-13.400 EPS.

EAT has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Brinker International from $175.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, August 13th. Bank of America upped their target price on Brinker International from $224.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, August 14th. Citigroup increased their price target on Brinker International from $227.00 to $282.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Piper Sandler raised their price target on Brinker International from $166.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, August 17th. Finally, DA Davidson reduced their price objective on Brinker International from $240.00 to $210.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, September 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $243.38.

Brinker International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:EAT opened at $184.99 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $7.73 billion, a PE ratio of 16.99, a P/E/G ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.25. Brinker International has a fifty-two week low of $100.30 and a fifty-two week high of $254.99. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $219.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $178.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Joseph DePinto sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.39, for a total value of $5,759,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 77,812 shares in the company, valued at $17,927,106.68. This trade represents a 24.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Daniel Fuller sold 1,909 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $253.54, for a total transaction of $484,007.86. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 30,177 shares in the company, valued at $7,651,076.58. This represents a 5.95% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 173,694 shares of company stock worth $41,568,690. Company insiders own 1.18% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brinker International

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EAT. Kilter Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Brinker International in the second quarter valued at $35,000. CoreCap Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Brinker International by 33,000.0% during the second quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 331 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 330 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new position in Brinker International during the second quarter worth about $71,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its position in Brinker International by 881.2% in the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 471 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $79,000 after acquiring an additional 423 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP bought a new stake in Brinker International in the second quarter worth about $80,000.

More Brinker International News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded EAT to “Strong Buy.” The upgrade improves the near-term analyst sentiment surrounding Brinker and reflects confidence in the restaurant operator’s growth prospects. Brinker International upgraded to Strong Buy at Zacks Research
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised multiple earnings forecasts. Estimates increased for Q1 2027 EPS to $2.42 from $2.29, FY2027 EPS to $13.06 from $13.03, FY2028 EPS to $13.97 from $13.66, and FY2029 EPS to $15.22 from $14.90. Additional quarterly estimates were also raised, signaling expectations for continued earnings growth. Zacks Research raises earnings estimates for Brinker International
• Positive Sentiment: The long-term growth case remains favorable. Zacks highlighted EAT as a potential long-term growth stock, supported by its style-score characteristics and expected earnings expansion. Why Brinker International is a top growth stock for the long term
• Neutral Sentiment: Brinker’s current full-year consensus EPS estimate is $13.15, while its FY2027 guidance is $12.60–$13.40, keeping investor attention focused on whether execution can meet the optimistic analyst forecasts.
• Negative Sentiment: The company’s latest reported EPS of $3.07 narrowly missed the $3.09 consensus estimate, despite revenue exceeding expectations. That modest earnings miss may be contributing to caution, particularly after a substantial prior run-up in the stock.

Brinker International Company Profile

Brinker International, Inc is a Dallas-based restaurant company that owns, operates and franchises casual dining establishments. Its portfolio is led by Chili’s Grill & Bar, a full-service restaurant brand known for burgers, steaks, fajitas, ribs and other American-style menu items, and Maggiano’s Little Italy, which specializes in Italian-American cuisine and operates both restaurants and catering services.

Brinker also developed It’s Just Wings, a virtual restaurant brand offering chicken wings, fries and related items through delivery and takeout.